The purpose of western saddle pads is to make you and your horse more comfortable. They provide cushioning between the saddle and the horse as well as padding between the horse and the rider - not to mention the fact that they keep the saddle cleaner. Diamond wool saddle pads are ideal because they are breathable, insulate against both cold and heat, wick away sweat, and clean easily. Maybe even more importantly, a wool pad relieves pressure off your joints, distributes the weight evenly, and is shock absorbent which makes for a smoother, more comfortable ride for you and your horse. If you're looking for saddle accessories like our popular mule hide horn wraps or bucking rolls, click here.

Replace that aging thing you've been using with a beautiful new leather breast collar for your horse today! Lots of people look for cheap breast collars, and we do have great prices - but if you're looking for quality tack that will treat you as nicely as you treat it... Check out the Weaver leather breast collars and even the tack we make ourselves here at Smith & Edwards in Ogden, Utah. You may have seen our tack at stores across the Western US: now you can get breast collars for horses (and a whole lot more tack) online and delivered right to you. If the mailman can make it out to your ranch (or your PO Box), so can our tack!

Whether you're just looking for a little extra security with a rear cinch for your saddle, or you're needing it for roping or trail riding, you'll be secure with a rear cinch from Smith & Edwards. And while you're here, why not pick up a cinch (cincha) so you've got one on backup or replace it at the same time?

Plus, we have everything you need to take good care of your tack so it's always in the best shape - click here to shop leather care supplies.

Whether you prefer bell, visalia, or oxbow stirrups, you'll find something to make you happy here at Smith & Edwards! There is something here for everyone who is a roper, trail rider, or rancher. Beautiful tapaderos for riding through brush. Even youth sizes! You'll find several wooden stirrups (it is a delight to work with the family who makes these), leather-covered stirrups, and plastic Ralide stirrups the hunters on horseback love to use with those wide boots they wear.

We are horse people too, and we understand what you're looking for! Some of the stirrups above are leather-covered stirrups that we make right here in our workshop. And if you're not finding what you're looking for, please let us know, because we want to be your favorite tack shop online!

Not to brag, but we're the best place to get mule hide horn wraps! Really! You won't find a better quality horn wrap for the price. We get the hides and cut them in long strips for you to wrap around your horn for roping. But that's not the only thing Smith & Edwards is known for. You'll find stirrup leathers, bucking rolls, leather flag carriers, cruppers and crupper forks, saddle fenders, and so much more. We carry excellent Weaver tack and well known brands in addition to the Western saddle accessories we make ourselves here in Ogden, Utah. And if you're looking for something and can't find it, please let us know! We want to be your FAVORITE tack shop on the internet!

Packing vs Horseback Trail Riding

When you're getting the gear you need to hit the trail, think about what you're going to use. You'll find some great pack saddles and pack bags here for a nice day trip, that will be perfect for a trail ride. Nothing too big that will overload your horse.

If you're going for longer, we have nice large pack bags and boxes that will hold the odds 'n ends that come along with a week-long trip out in the country or accompanying your lucky hunting buddies, packing out quarters or a nice trophy deer mount. We've got several guys here working in our tack workshop making iron cloth pack bags that will hold up to the harshest conditions and the heaviest loads... trust us, we've put them to the test!

That being said, don't forget all the necessities for a campout: clothes, bed roll, rain gear, food, headlamps, water purifiers, TP, camera, a way to charge your phone, wipes, meds, and of course a coffee pot.

Trail Riding Safety Tips

To make the best of your trip, a little preparation means no worries and a lot less headache. Make sure and check both your trailer and your tack before you head out. Pay special attention to cinches, stirrups, and your horse's shoes. That way you won't have a surprise on the trail.

Bring more water than you think you'll need, and make sure to bring an energy bar or snacks. Keep a first aid kit with you on your saddle or on your body so you can treat little cuts and accidents without having to search for wipes or bandages. Plus, remember ointment, a spare boot, and supplies for your horse. Luckily much of what's in a first aid kit can work for your horse, too!

Take a friend with you when you go trail riding - it makes it more fun, plus it's a good idea for safety. You're less likely to get lost or turned around with a companion... although you may lose track of time faster with them! Better yet, join up with a riding club or a service organization like the Back Country Horsemen and log more hours on your favorite trails. The more familiar you are with trails, the more you can be aware of downed trees, holes, and other hazards that can affect you and your fellow riders.

Bring a saw, pocketknife, or multitool, plus duct tape for repairs and fixes on the trail. You'll never need it till you need it... if you get in a pinch you can always make a fix with a wild rag!

Lastly, it should be common sense: always try to stay on the trail.

Horse Trails to Ride in Utah

Where should you go if you're looking for backcountry trails in Utah? In southern Utah the trails by Bryce Canyon are breathtaking. Up in our neck of the woods, in northern Utah, there are trails in the Uintas as well as along the Wasatch Front that are beautiful pieces of wilderness you have to see. And by the way, click here and stop by the Back Country Horsemen of Utah, they've got a great Facebook page and always have neat events on their calendar. Tell 'em we sent ya!

When you're looking for headstalls for sale, it can be overwhelming trying to find the perfect one! Do you want headstalls with bling? One ear headstalls? Nylon headstalls in a rainbow of colors, or nice headstalls made with Hermann oak leather? Even quick change headstalls?

No matter your preference, whatever your Western heart desires, Smith & Edwards has it. And if you're looking for halters for horses and livestock, we've got those too - mostly in nylon, but some in leather as well. Everything for your horse and home, we've got it at Smith & Edwards!

When you're tying up or leading your llama, sheep, calf, or horse, you want a halter you can depend on! You'll find a HUGE range of halter sizes and color in Valhoma's nylon halters here. Plus, we even make Western tack ourselves here at Smith & Edwards in Farr West, Utah, so you'll find some leather halters for horses here as well. If you're looking for headstalls, we make and carry lots of headstalls here.

We get horse people - we ride and work with horses & livestock too. We want to be your place to get tack, and so if you're not finding what you're looking for, please let us know!

You'll find several styles of leather horse reins here: connected roping reins, two-part split reins for barrel racing, even romal reins for showing or if you like to use those on the ranch. We have reins here that we've made ourselves, as well as Valhoma nylon reins, and Bryan leather reins. Choose nylon, harness, latigo, or Hermann Oak leather for those reins you'll be using day after day on your horse.

Whatever style of Western riding you love - working on the ranch, trail riding, rodeo, 4H, or showing - you've found your people here at Smith & Edwards. We've been making Western tack here in Farr West, Utah for decades. You may have even seen the leather reins we've made in tack shops across the West. No matter your location, we're here to give you the best Western tack at great prices. Please let us know if we can help you find anything!

Why use a bosal? Many riders have asked the same question, with different answers. First, if a horse has been mistreated or has a sore mouth, being able to communicate with your horse without any junk in the mouth is a big help! Secondly, many people simply prefer them: it's a style of riding from the Spanish, Texas, and California tradition that relies on braided rawhide and a hackamore or headstall designed for a bosal, instead of metal bits. This means your horse has an easier time drinking out on the trail, as well.

Finally, some people love to use a bosal as an intermediate step, before introducing a snaffle or curb bit to a young horse. Ultimately it will be up to you to watch and determine what kind of bit or bosal your horse responds best to. Whatever you decide, we hope you return to Smith & Edwards for all your Western tack and riding needs.

You'll find Western nosebands for your horse here at Smith & Edwards! We want to be your first choice for Western tack: ranching, rodeo, ranch rodeo, and just training your horse. We hope you'll find the leather noseband, tiedown, or cavison you're looking for here. Whether you're competing in team roping or team branding, or just putting in more time with your horse to help her learn, you'llf find nosebands for horses that'll do the job.

There's a reason we have nosebands for sale, and it's not just on a whim! Smith & Edwards has a long history with supplying ranchers and rodeo competitors with the gear they need. We actually make some of these tiedowns ourselves. Smith & Edwards has made leather tack for Western riders & their horses for over 35 years! Click here to shop even MORE Western tack.

Whether you are training a young horse or showing the horse you've worked with for years, Smith & Edwards has the gear you need to work with your horse. Longeing (or lungeing) will help your horse learn voice commands and your body language. Begin adding your gear - saddle, bridle, reins, bit - in this environment so your horse can begin to learn her new role. We have nylon lead ropes and lunge lines for you - even a leather lead with chain made here in our workshop.

And when she's learned her new role, we're here for you with even more Western tack - we've made our own tack here in Ogden, Utah since 1979 and you'll find many other quality brands here on our website, as well. We hope we have everything you need for your horse!

You'll find great-quality leather training forks here for you to use on your horses as you train them for Western pleasure, dressage, or shows. A running martingale will help you train your horse from flailing his head and for specific events.

Training Forks vs Martingales

The difference between training forks and martingales is a subject of much discussion! And essentially, it's the same thing. A training fork is a solid leather triangle, with two rings at the top for reins. A traditional running martingale has a strap in addition to the fork. The strap goes around the horse's throat. Some people see running martingales as English as opposed to Western training forks. Ultimately it comes down to what works for you and the horse you're training!