• Always check your equipment 3 times before mounting.
  
  
• When you unfasten the halter, refastened back around the horses neck even if you are holding the lead.
  
  
• Untie the lead from the post, and put it in your hand before unfastening halter.
  
  
• Stand back and beside the head to bridle. So the horse won’t bang you with his own head. REMEMBER DO NOT STAND IN FRONT OF THE HORSES HEAD.
  
  
• Always, Always, Always, check your bridle before riding. Make sure the horse is comfortable, make sure there are no weak points in the bridle, and it’s well oiled for flexibility.
  
  
• Open the horses mouth by placing your left thumb on the on the bars ( where there are no teeth ) and pressing down until the horses mouth opens and then gently put the bit in their mouth with your right hand and slip the crown piece over the ears. If your thumb is to far back and to far forward …… CHOMP…. CHOMP…. CHOMP..
  
  
• Check all keepers, to ensure you do not have anything flopping around on the bridle
  
  

You may download the following PDF articles.

Fitting an English Saddle                  Fitting an Western Saddle

When first learning to saddle a horse, you should know that while saddles may all appear different, the method used to saddle a horse is the same for all types of saddles. They require the same knowledge and steps.

To start

• Before you start saddling your horse there are a couple of things you MUST do for safety. Your should groom your horse. This isn’t just to make your horse look its best, although that is a nice benefit, it has a safety benefit. When you brush your horse you make sure that there are no burs, thorns or other sticky problems that will hurt your horse while under saddle. Even dirt can rub and cause irritation, so brushing prevents injuries to your horse and yourself should it become so painful that he reacts to the pain by bucking. While brushing you should also make sure there are no sores in the area the saddle will be placed. When you are finished brushing, the hair on the horse’s back and girth area should lie flat.
  
  
• You should also take this time to inspect your saddle and other tack. Worn tack can create an emergency, so make it a habit to check your tack each and every time before you set out. While accidents may happen, they are much less likely if your tack is in good condition. Replace any worn straps or parts before heading out on the trail or into the ring. If your tack is worn and you cannot replace it, postpone riding until you do.
  
  

Saddling

• It is traditional to approach and saddle your horse from the left side. If you are saddling an unfamiliar horse it is best to work from the left side. However, many trainers are now working with horses to make them familiar with being approached and worked with on both sides. So, if it is necessary you can work from either side.
  
  
• The first piece of tack you will put on the horse is the blanket. The blanket should be thick enough to provide a barrier between the solid saddle and your horse. If the blanket is very thin you may wish to use more than one blanket. However, you don’t want to put too many blankets on as too much padding can cause the saddle to slip or cause your horse to overheat. Some western blankets are meant to be folded in half. You can tell these because if left unfolded it would drape too far behind the saddle and down the horse’s rump. The fold should be toward the horse’s head. Make sure if there are rings or buckles on the blanket that attach to the saddle that these are up and not against the horse’s body. You should make sure that the blanket is folded and setting evenly. A tip to help make sure that the hair on the horse’s back stays flat is when you are placing the blanket over the horse start at the withers/shoulders and slide it down the back into place.
  
  
• Now you are ready to put the saddle on the horse. Before you lift the saddle on the horse’s back make sure you have put the stirrups so they will not smack the horse as you set the saddle down (i.e. hooked around the saddle horn). Then lift the saddle high enough that you can set it down without moving the blanket. Set it down gently; if you just drop it on the horse you may spook it or cause injury. When you place it on the horse’s back, try to place it a little higher up the back and let it “settle” in where it belongs.
  
  
• Walk around to the other side and take the stirrup down. Check to make sure that the blanket stayed in place, smooth out any wrinkles and make sure the hair remained flat. You should double check everything just to be safe, this is very important when you saddle a horse.
  
  
• Now reach under the horse and get the girth or cinch. Bring it up and either tie the cinch or buckle the girth. When you do this, do it in increments. Start loosely and then slowly tighten. This gives the horse a chance to relax. Tighter is not always better. When you have the correct tightness, you should be able to place your fingers in between the girth and the horse. If you had rings or buckles on your blanket now is the time to hook them to the saddle.
  
  
• For the most comfortable ride on a horse you need the right saddle to sit on. The saddle goes over the horses back and distributes your weight. Having it fitted properly on your horse is essential for both horse and rider’s sake. An ill fitting saddle can cause sores, called saddle sores, on your horse which are painful for him/her. An ill fitting saddle can also cause your horse to develop resistance to saddling and behavioral problems. There is also a risk to the rider as some horses have been known to buck off the rider due to pain caused by an improperly fitted saddle.
  
  
• For information on how to buy the proper saddle see our article on buying a saddle.
  
  

Artwork by children more...

Tack more...

Helpful Links more...