| Saddling a horse can be an easy process once | | | | withers. Once again, check to make sure that the |
| learned. Doing it right helps ensures more comfort for | | | | horse's mane or wither hairs are not tangle or being |
| the horse and rider and most importantly, safety while | | | | pulled on by the pad or saddle. I like to stand off to the |
| riding. Acquiring good quality horse tack from your local | | | | side of the horse and visually see if the saddle is lying |
| tack shop will greatly help in this process. Here are six | | | | level on his back. Another way to check for proper |
| easy steps to follow in saddling your horse. | | | | saddle placement is to make sure you have one |
| 1. Prepare your horse for receiving the saddle. | | | | hand's width of distance between the horse's elbow |
| Begin by tying your horse securely to a hitching post, | | | | and the front cinch. Placing the front cinch too close or |
| stall ring or trailer. The use of a quick release knot or a | | | | next to his elbow can cause pinching or too much |
| metal tie ring can help in the event your horse is | | | | pressure from the saddle onto his shoulders. |
| spooked or feels the need to pull back. Then use good | | | | 5. Secure your saddle onto the horse. |
| quality horse supplies like grooming brushes, curry | | | | When I'm not using my saddles, I like to tie my cinches, |
| combs and hoof picks to clean and remove any dirt, | | | | latigo, and breast collar on top of my saddles. I usually |
| mud, or wood shavings from the horses coat and feet. | | | | leave them tied up on top of my saddle even when I |
| Pay special attention to cleaning your horse's back and | | | | go to lift and place my saddle on the horse. After |
| belly. This will ensure that the saddle and cinches will | | | | saddle placement, then I untie these items and let them |
| not cause any irritations when placed on the horse. | | | | hang down from the saddle. I always start by securing |
| 2. Inspect your saddle and saddle pad. | | | | the front cinch. Exercise caution when reaching |
| Make sure your saddle and saddle pad are clean and | | | | underneath your horse to grab any cinches (front or |
| in good working order. Remove any dirt or debris from | | | | back) from the off or left side of the horse. I |
| padding (or fleece) beneath the saddle. Also cleaning | | | | recommend standing next to his left front leg facing |
| your saddle pad or blanket will provide greater comfort | | | | backwards and then using your left arm to reach |
| to your horse and help to prevent sores or bruising by | | | | under the horse. This allows you to look at his hind leg |
| the saddle. Inspect your saddle for any missing parts | | | | in case he decides to kick or jump. I thread the latigo |
| (like Conchos, stirrup, hobble straps, metal D-rings, | | | | (leather front strap on the saddle) through the front |
| screws, etc.) | | | | cinch buckle several times. Pull and tighten the latigo |
| 3. Place your saddle pad on the horse. | | | | cinch until the saddle doesn't slide from side to side. |
| Place your saddle pad or blanket onto the horse's | | | | Use either a "T" cross knot or use the tongue of the |
| back. I like to place it a bit forward and upon the | | | | front cinch buckle to lock the cinch. If you are using a |
| horse's withers to start and then side it back a little to | | | | back cinch, make sure the front and back cinches are |
| where is appears to be centered. Make sure the | | | | connected with a connecting strap. I like to leave about |
| horse's mane or wither hairs are not tangled or being | | | | an inch of spacing between the back cinch and the |
| pulled on beneath the pad. | | | | horses belly when I've buckled and locked the back |
| 4. Place your saddle on the saddle pad and horse. | | | | cinch into place. Having the back cinch too loose may |
| Position on yourself with the saddle being held by both | | | | allow a horse to get his hind foot tangled in it and |
| hands on either side of your horse. I like to saddle my | | | | having it too tight may cause him to be uncomfortable. |
| horses from either side of them. I feel always saddling | | | | 6. Relax your horse and perform final inspection. |
| from the same side may cause the horse to become | | | | I find relaxing my horse by walking him around for a |
| one-sided. I think it's also good to step up on your | | | | few minutes helps to ensure a well fit and properly |
| horse from either side. I like my horses to feel | | | | cinched saddle. I will usually rock the saddle from side |
| comfortable when I am on either side of them. I then | | | | to side while still standing on the ground to make sure |
| rest the saddle on my hip and then use a swinging and | | | | it's secure and that it's going to stay in place when I |
| lifting motion, I raise the saddle up to the horse's back. | | | | get up into the saddle. I find that I usually have to |
| Center the saddle on the saddle pad. Make sure that | | | | tighten the front cinch a bit more before stepping up |
| your saddle pad extends at least one inch from the | | | | into the saddle. The end of your latigo should now be |
| front and back of your saddle. Then lift the front of | | | | inserted into its keeper. All buckles should be locked |
| your saddle pad up and away from the horse's | | | | and secured. |