DocumentationTraining Tack Explained
What each Billy Royal training tack item does: cavesson, caveson, German martingale, ten ring martingale, Texas fork, soft bosal, side pull and crupper.
Training tack changes how a horse carries its head or responds to pressure. It is useful, and it is easy to misuse. This guide explains what each Billy Royal item is designed to do, with the specifications given in the listings. It is not a substitute for a trainer.
Safety note: Training aids work through pressure and leverage. Use them only with experience or professional instruction, check fit before every ride, and take them off if the horse is distressed.
Cavesson or caveson
Both spellings appear on the same kind of item: a noseband worn with a bridle or on its own for groundwork. The Billy Royal Work Cavesson has a 1" noseband, a 5/8" crown and cheek, near-side adjustment and an adjustable curb with a buckle guard. The Straight Nose Caveson has a 1" double-stitched noseband and a 1/2" crown piece. Both list Arabians and half Arabians as the intended fit.
Martingales and training forks
| Item | What the listing says |
|---|---|
| German Martingale | Oiled Hermann Oak leather; 4 brass D-rings 6" apart; scissor snap ends; neck strap up to 55" |
| Ten Ring Training Martingale | Ring placement for different degrees of flexion; adjustable girth and wither/neck straps |
| Texas Training Fork | Split fork design; girth strap adjusts from 24" to 31"; solid brass rings and snaps |
| Double S Crupper | Keeps training surcingles from sliding forward; padded tail loop |
These aids shape head position by connecting the bit or reins to the girth. The listings describe them as tools for head set, flexion and softening. Results depend on correct use and timing. Rings placed too low can limit the horse's ability to balance.
Bosal and side pull
The Soft Bosal is a braided noseband used in some traditions of bitless or two-rein work. The listing describes 16-plait soft braided leather with a rawhide core, a 5/8" cheek and a 3/4" nose, and says it is gentler than a rawhide-wrapped bosal. A bosal works on the nose, so correct fit and gentle hands matter.
The Padded Nose Side Pull is a bitless option. The listing recommends it for horses that are not bit ready or have sensitive mouths or injuries, with a padded noseband and single-side cheek adjustment, sized for average to large horses. A side pull still applies pressure, just somewhere other than the mouth.
Side reins
Side reins are covered in Reins. They attach between bit and surcingle and need a well-fitted surcingle or saddle.
Choosing and fitting
- Decide the goal: groundwork, head carriage, softness, or an introduction to the bit.
- Match the item to the horse's size. Arabian-fit caveson models may be small on large heads.
- Fit loosely at first, then adjust one point at a time.
- Do not leave a horse tied or turned out in training equipment.
Matching tack
Training tack often pairs with a bridle or headstall; see Headstalls and bridles. Some items are also worn under a saddle; see Saddle lineup for the rigging and training rings on specific saddles.
Care
Clean sweat from nosebands and cheeks, because dried sweat stiffens leather and can rub. Light conditioning is in Oiling smooth leather.
What we can't confirm
- The listings do not describe training methods, so this guide does not either.
- Fit ranges beyond "most Arabians and half Arabians" are not given for every item.
- The listings carry seller claims about effectiveness. Treat them as marketing, and consult a trainer for your horse.
Western Saddle Pads Compared
Compare Billy Royal saddle pads by thickness, size and construction: wool felt, steam pressed, merino, contour trail pads and show blankets.
Where Are Billy Royal Saddles Made?
Where Billy Royal saddles are made, who makes Billy Royal tack, and why origin differs by product: saddles in Mexico, some Hermann Oak tack in the USA.