So much to buy - so little time!

they are cheap, so you can use them for the first three or four years and then replace them with a leather saddle later on; and most importantly of all, they have a detachable tree, a shaped bar across the pommel which can be easily removed and replaced with a different shape, making the saddle simplicity itself to adapt to your horse's developing back. One of the main manufacturers is Wintec, who also do a synthetic Western saddle - look at their website for more details. A stockist in the USA is Southern Tack Distributors.

It is absolutely essential to have a qualified saddler come to fit your saddle (whether synthetic or leather) for the first time. You should also have him back to see your growing youngster every 6 months and check that the saddle is still snug to your horse's back but clear of the spine, and that his back under the saddle is free of any pressure points.

A numnah or saddlecloth will further protect your horse's back, and you will of course need a girth! You don't need stirrups or stirrup leathers at this stage.

The third year:
Shopping list: Cavesson headcollar, lunge whip, two lunge reins, roller if preferred, stirrup leathers, stirrup irons, one pair brushing boots, one pair overreach boots

This is the year when your horse's riding education will usually begin, and when he will begin lungeing, long-reining and eventually carrying a rider for the first time. He will be happy and familiar with his tack, after you introduced it last year: so all you will need this year is your main ground-training equipment.

A specialist cavesson headcollar, with three rings on the noseband, is far better for a young horse than lungeing through the bit rings, since he is much more likely to act unpredictably, and if he veers away from you or shies, there is no risk of you catching his mouth. You can always put on the bridle underneath the cavesson if you feel you need to lunge him in full tack.

Any lunge rein and whip will do, although I find the lunge reins with clip-on attachments rather than buckles are easier to deal with when changing directions.

You will NOT need side reins. Horses this young are too immature to cope with the demands of side reins, however loose - so you can strike these off your shopping list until at least next year.

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