I feel that everyone should put more consideration into the reasons why they want to put a piece of tack on a horse,I myself am very passionate about Buck Brannaman and his theories and way of thinking. I believe that when possible, horses should be ridden in a regular snaffle(tho clearly not always realistic). Some horses do better in certain bits, some riders(due to experience can only ride) can only handle riding in certain bits. There are always great reasons or situations as to why certain things fall with certain horses/riders. I feel that tack is generally the same thing-less or more simple gear is usually better. I think the logic behind it is pretty clear right? Having said that in some situations, you will required certain pieces of equipment and that's just a fact of life.  The mare I am working with right now, is shaped like a perfect barrel and has no wither. I can think of half a dozen breastplates or girths which work in different ways, and suit different builds of horse. 
I have had to narrow it down to a specific type of girth and breastplate to keep my saddle on where it needs to be-even then it can still rotate one side to another if you're not well balanced in your stirrups. Now imagine dealing with that every time you ride(or even riding outside on uneven terrain which causes your horse to move around even more than normal, or while riding cross country at a gallop through the country side). ​Until you have ridden that horse and actually understand why this horse moves or does something a certain way, you really have no say or opinion in what YOU think is appropriate or not for someone else.

​My life runs around humor and making light of things when you end up being stuck in an awful situation. My husband taught me humor cures all-and I strongly believe he’s bang on. One of my favorite things to say is “fake ‘til you make it” and I find it fits pretty much in every situation you’re in. If you feel anxious about jumping a scary fence FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT. If you’re stressed about something going on at work like an interview or meeting FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT. A few weeks ago I was in a cross country clinic and some of the obstacles we worked on scared the crap out of me. I was convinced I would need new underwear. What did I do? FAKED IT ‘TIL I MADE IT.  Don’t get me wrong, you need to also be careful to not override your abilities and make stupid decisions(more about that in another thread). But going in and repeating that to myself really helped me NOT focus on the hesitant inner voice and lack of confidence to tackle those obstacles. Our clinicians wouldn’t asked me to do it if she didn’t think I couldn’t do it. Faking that confidence to yourself can really give you that little up that you need to get the ball rolling-honest! Give it a try, I won’t charge you for the copyright either *giggle*.
I have watched a lot of horse shows through work, as well as riding at local shows and I love to watch these people ride.  I am comforted by people making the same mistakes I would, or having the same awesome reactions that I think I might in those same moments.  That said, something that stands out to me every time, in every show, is how stupid some people act.  Just because you have the guts to get out there and do it, doesn’t make it the right thing to do.  One obvious example that stands out (painfully) is the person who shouldn’t be in the class at all.  I can’t tell if it’s because trainers are also motivated to move their clients up the levels, or perhaps they don’t have a trainer, or maybe they have really evil friends who lied to them about great of a rider they are. Needless to say, there is always THAT person in every class.
I am a perfectionist by nature, so I am very critical of my riding when I review video or photo content of my latest ride.  I find also because I have had my share of injuries in life(horse and non horse related), that it’s made me think carefully of every decision I make when it comes down to riding. As an adult rider, I have learned that I just don’t bounce like I used to every time I have a fall(which thank God is not often). Then again, they say that if you never fall off, you’re not riding hard enough. I find myself not entering some classes because I don’t feel that I have the required level of riding skill to be able to even have a chance to compete against those riders. What’s “funny” to watch though, is those absolutely awful riders who do go in them and attempt their luck. All credit to them for trying it-credit fails to those awful friends and trainers who lie to them telling them they belong in that class. At least you can say that they have definitely faked it ‘til they got in that ring.
I find it interesting that you can usually clearly see why some riders only compete in the jumpers and gallop unsafely around the course like lightning McQueen vs the calculated hunter riders with fantastic rhythm and position. I feel like the riders in each category should swap the classes they enter. Always a lot more excitement watching those jumpers classes though because you end up cringing and holding your breath every time they get to a fence(come on, let’s be honest you know we all know a few riders like that). Pass the popcorn around. Those are not brave or confident decisions. Those fall under the stupid category.
So why do it?  Why do they move up to a place they are no longer comfortable in or capable of?  I would rather spend my whole life at 3 feet killing it, than make a total ass of myself in a higher division. I can’t be the only one.  And beyond the chance to win, how many times will you push the envelope on possibly hurting yourself and your horse.  That just makes no sense to me.

Someone sent me this and it was to die for. I had to share it.

 
Fellow equines, I don't have to tell you how important it is to keep your human madly, passionately in love with you. Human devotion gets you the best treats, accommodation in the nicest stable, and a rider who is forgiving on those days when you really don't feel like working hard. To help you keep that human eating out of your hand (or, more to the point, feeding you out of hers), I've compiled a top-10 list of proven methods to keep your relationship strong.
 
1) Set the tone right from the start by whinnying and rushing to the gate or stall door the moment you spot your human coming. Humans are big on oral communication, so the whinny is important. Otherwise, she might think you're just looking for a juicy apple or maybe your dinner.
 
2) Be cute. There's nothing shameful in this, even for a large, dignified, magnificent equine, as long as you don't over-do it. When I work in therapeutic riding lessons, I like to pick up stuff in my teeth and wave it around (like the stuffed toys riders are supposed to be tossing into buckets). The humans go wild. I've also been known to step on the plastic cones instead of going around them. My protege, Louis the Canadian horse, is very good at knocking things over with his butt when his riders steer him close (to a jump standard, for example, where they're supposed to place a ring). Then he looks all innocent and surprised. It gets a laugh every time.
 
3) Be charming and attentive. Try sticking your nose into your human's hair and blowing out through your nostrils. Even play with her hair a little, using your upper lip. She'll melt into a tiny human puddle.
 
4) Once in a while, give her exactly what she wants while riding. A "holy-cow-that-was-awesome" extended trot, a perfect lead change, a sliding stop -- whatever discipline the two of you practice together, pick a difficult movement and just give it to her. Your human needs the occasional reward for her hard work, and it will remind her what a talented equine athlete you are!
 
5) After any encounter with your human, give her the "you're my favourite human in the whole wide world" look. When she puts you in your stall or paddock, stop, glance back over your shoulder with your ears pricked up and your eyes all soft and soulful like you just need one more look at her before going back to your horse business. Try not to let the juice from your apple or carrot dribble down your chin while doing this. It destroys the effect.
 
6) Use your physical assets to your best advantage. Being a Friesian, of course, I'm just one big physical asset on the hoof, but even lesser equines can pull this off. My friend Moose, a Belgian-cross, knows how to stand in the paddock so the breeze catches his long blonde mane and blows it fetchingly around his face. That mane even got him the cover of Lil's book, Horsefeathers, a fact that still irks me. Bella the resident pony uses her small size and cute little face under a bushy forelock to get extra carrots, and never mind that inside that tiny little body lives an evil pygmy soul.
 
7) Follow your human around, even when you're not on a lead rope. They think this is pure devotion. You can amp up the effect by sticking your nose in the small of your human's back. But be careful not to knock her over if she stops suddenly. Humans are quite fragile and you need to respect the size difference.
 
8) Play games. Fetch a ball or kick it, chase your human around in a game of tag. She'll go silly. An added bonus is that this will drive the dogs nuts. You're stealing their gig! How long will the humans bother with them if you can do all the cool dog stuff as well as being a horse!
 
9) Really enjoy the treats your human gives you. If you get blissed-out, eyes half-closed, chewing like a llama working on its cud, she'll feel so good about being nice to you that she'll probably give you another carrot. And you'll come across as all grateful.
 
10) Buck and gallop around your pasture when you're turned out for the day. This strengthens the human's illusion that she's giving you your freedom (right, that's why there's a four-foot fence around you) and that you love the home she's made for you. Besides, it's a great reminder of what you could do to her under saddle. But you don't. Because she's a great rider. And you love her. Of course you do.

I am a perfectionist by nature, so I am very critical of my riding when I review video or photo content of my latest ride. I find also because I have had my share of injuries in life(horse and non horse related), that it’s made me think carefully of every decision I make when it comes down to riding. As an adult rider, I have learned that I just don’t bounce like I used to every time I have a fall(which thank God is not often). Then again, they say that if you never fall off, you’re not riding hard enough. I find myself not entering some classes because I don’t feel that I have the required level of riding skill to be able to even have a chance to compete against those riders. What’s “funny” to watch though, is those absolutely awful riders who do go in them and attempt their luck. All credit to them for trying it-credit fails to those awful friends and trainers who lie to them telling them they belong in that class.
I find it interesting that you can usually clearly see why some riders only compete in the jumpers and gallop unsafely around the course like lightning McQueen vs the calculated hunter riders with fantastic rhythm and position. I feel like the riders in each category should swap the classes they enter. Always a lot more excitement watching those jumpers classes though because you end up cringing and holding your breath every time they get to a fence. Pass the popcorn around. Those are not brave or confident decisions. Those fall under the stupid category.