How to Saddle a Horse

Making sure the saddle is correctly fitted and secured will prevent
discomfort to the horse and lessen the possibility of accidents.

Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Required: Five minutes

Here's How:

1. Put a halter on your horse and either secure him
in cross ties or tether him to a rail, using a quick release knot.

2. Groom the horse thoroughly.
Dirt and debris under the saddle and girth can cause sores to form.

3. Prepare the saddle by running the stirrup irons up the leathers,
if it's an English saddle,
to prevent the irons banging the horse's sides.

4. If the stirrups cannot be run up the leathers,
cross them over the top of the saddle.

5. Stand on the left hand side of the horse
and place the saddle pad over the horses withers.

6. Carefully place the saddle over the horse's withers,
on top of the saddle pad,
making sure that nothing gets caught underneath.

7. Slide both pad and saddle into position together,
just behind the withers, making sure the saddle is level.

8. If necessary, adjust the placement of the saddle on the pad.

9. Use whatever tabs and straps the saddle pad has (if any)
to secure it to the saddle to prevent movement.

10. Go to the right hand side of the horse
and secure the saddle pad on that side also.

11. Attach the girth on the right hand side of the saddle.

12. Return to the left hand side and reach underneath
the horse to catch the end of the girth.

13. If the horse is to wear a breastplate or martingale,
the girth can be passed through the appropriate loop at this time.

14. Do the girth up loosely at first and then tighten as necessary.

15. Before you mount, check the girth one last time -
some horses like to puff out when the saddle is put on.

Tips:

1. Be careful, when placing the saddle across the horse's back,
that the stirrups or girth (if it is attached) don't get caught underneath.

2.Don't do the girth up tightly right away.

3.Check the girth for fit before mounting.
You should just be able to slide your hand flat
against the horse between the girth and the horse.


HORSE CARE INDEX