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Saddling your horse correctly can mean the difference between a pleasant and unpleasant ride. Here are step-by-step tips on how to saddle your horse.
Make sure the horse is well groomed. This will prevent dirt getting caught between the horse’s back and saddle, creating discomfort. If the horse has any sores, consider additional padding.
Check and prepare the equipment. Check the horse blanket as well as the cinch for dirt and debris. Assure the saddle (buckles, etc.) is in top shape. In preparation for saddling, hook the right stirrup over the horn and place the cinch over the saddle (from the right).
Position blanket. From the left side of the horse, lay the blanket on the horse’s back so that it is in front of the withers. Pull the blanket backwards (toward the horse’s rump) into place, at the withers. This assures the horse’s back hairs are comfortably running the correct direction.
Place saddle on the horse. Still from the left and facing toward the horse’s head, gently place the saddle on the horse’s back, just behind the shoulders, with about 1” of blanket showing. Put down the right stirrup and the cinch from the far (right) side of the horse (walk around behind the horse, being watchful of the horse’s hooves), assuring cinch is not twisted and blanket is straight.
Cinch the saddle. After moving back to the left side of the horse, reach under the horse with your left hand, grab the cinch, and pull it under the horse. Put the cinch strap through the cinch and rigging rings twice before tying a cinch knot (or buckling if the cinch has a buckle). After pulling the cinch tight enough so that it does not hang under the horse’s belly, tie the cinch knot. Crossing the cinch’s end over the front of the rings (just beneath the rigging ring), thread the cinch through the rigging ring a third time. Secure the end of the cinch beneath the loop you made when crossing over the front.
Tighten the cinch. Carefully and slowly tighten the cinch. Put your left hand under the buckle so the buckle does not hurt the horse. After tightening, be sure to secure the end of the cinch strap so that it does not spook the horse. After walking the horse a few minutes, check the cinch again and tighten if needed.
Now you are ready to ride. Have fun!
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