Western

 

Western tack from Weaver Leather, Professional's Choice, Martin Saddlery, Cashel and Classic Equine: cinches, headstalls, breast collars, reins, bits, saddle pads and spurs. Shop by piece below, or start with a fit guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a breast collar?

On hills, at speed and for roping, a breast collar keeps the saddle from sliding back. Fit it so you can slide a flat hand between the collar and the chest, with the center sitting above the point of the shoulder. See the breast collar fit guide.

One-ear or browband headstall?

A one-ear headstall is lighter and common for finished horses and showing. A browband headstall stays put better on horses that rub or shake their heads, and suits young horses and trail. More in one-ear vs browband headstalls.

Which cinch helps stop galling?

Mohair or alpaca string cinches breathe best; fleece-lined cinches add cushion. If your horse galls in neoprene, try one of those. See Western cinches.

Is good leather worth it?

Quality harness or latigo leather stays supple, holds stitching and lasts for years with cleaning and oil. It matters most on pieces that carry load: latigos, breast collars and reins.

Ask any group of western riders what they'd fix about their tack and the same answer comes back first: fit. Not price, not tooling, not color — fit. A saddle that bridges, a cinch that galls, a breast collar set two holes too tight. Our western collection is built around that reality, with headstalls, breast collars, cinches, reins, latigos, saddle bags, hackamores and spur straps from the makers working riders actually keep on the rack — Weaver Leather, Professional's Choice, Martin Saddlery, Classic Equine and Cashel.

How to Choose the Right Western Tack

  • Measure before you buy: Cinch length is roughly the distance between cinch rings minus a few inches — most horses land at 30″ to 34″. Reins run 7 to 8 feet for split reins, and roping reins are typically 7 to 8 feet closed.
  • Match material to your horse, not the catalog photo: Mohair and wool for sweaty, sensitive, or long-ride horses; neoprene for grip and easy washing on horses that tolerate it.
  • Check the hardware first: Stainless steel roller buckles and solid dees are worth the upcharge on cinches, headstalls and breast collars — that's where cheap tack fails.
  • Buy for your discipline: Roping needs wide pulling breast collars and heavy latigo; trail riding wants saddle bags, pommel bags and rope or bamboo reins; show tack prioritizes tooling, silver and matched sets.
  • Condition new leather before the first ride: Oiling latigos, headstalls and reins on arrival adds years and prevents the dry cracking that kills bargain tack.

Brands Riders Trust

Weaver Leather covers the working middle ground — Smart Cinches with roll-snug buckles, tooled and beaded headstalls, spur straps and basketweave pulling breast collars at prices that make sense for tack you use hard. Professional's Choice brings performance-focused cinches in mohair, merino wool, shearling and VenTECH neoprene, plus loping hackamores and romal reins built on Hermann Oak leather. Martin Saddlery is the premium leather choice for latigos, braided reins and knife scabbards made in the USA, while Classic Equine and Cashel round things out with show blankets, mohair roper cinches and trail-ready saddle bags.

Hooves and Paws has been outfitting horse and pet owners for over 30 years. We stock a deep western selection across every price point, with real people who ride answering the phone and fast shipping on everything in the collection — because tack you're waiting on isn't doing your horse any good.

Further Reading