Western Riding

What equipment do you need for Western riding?

• Western saddle
• Western pad
• Western headstall
• Western reins
• Western bit
• Possibly Western boots and bell boots

A Western horse's equipment must be practical and comfortable so that it can be worn for several hours a day without chafing. The Western saddle has a very large contact surface so that the pressure can be distributed more effectively. In our Western saddle guide, we explain why a Western saddle should always be fitted precisely to the horse's back.
A Western saddle has little to no padding, so a thick Western pad should always be placed underneath to absorb pressure. At Kramer Equestrian you can buy Western pads and Western blankets with colourful Navajo patterns.
Depending on the horse's level of training and the rider's preferences, you can buy different Western headstalls and choose between classic Western headstalls with a straight, knotted or V-shaped browband or a one or two-eared headstall. We have written a guide to Western headstalls for this purpose. You can also read about other things to consider in relation to Western bits in our guide.

Which clothing is characteristic for Western riding?

• Western jeans
• Western shirt
• Western boots
• Western hat or riding hat
• Western gloves
• Perhaps a leather belt with an eye-catching buckle
• Western chaps

Casual, comfortable and practical - that's the motto for Western clothing. Nevertheless, it should be cut close to the body so that the rider does not get caught on the saddle horn and cause accidents. Riders wear Western jeans that are both comfortable and practical at the same time. The flat inner seams of Western jeans prevent unpleasant friction on the inner thigh. Many Western jeans styles that you can buy from Kramer Equestrian also have a slightly flared cut so that the hem can be worn over Western boots.
Instead of long riding boots, calf-high Western boots are worn, which can also be extremely comfortable when working at the yard.
If you need grip when riding, which the fabric of the Western jeans cannot always provide, Western chaps are worn over the trousers.
To avoid burns or other injuries, for example when working with a lasso, it is best to buy robust leather gloves. A riding hat should also be preferred to a Western hat for safety reasons. You can buy Western riding hats in matching colours from the Kramer Equestrian online. Of course, our range also offers a fine selection of Western hats.
At Kramer Equestrian you can put together your complete Western outfit. Each collection is characterised by fresh colours, casual cuts and robust materials that score points for comfort and style when riding and at the yard.
You can find tips on buying your Western jeans or the outfit for your next Western show in our Western guides.