Learn To Saddle Your Horse

By Author: Candy Wormdahl
Total Articles: 12
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First thing you need to learn about saddling your horse is the type of saddle you are using is it a English Saddle or Western Saddle, You will be glad to know that they are the same when putting it on your horse.

What to do before starting to Saddle your Horse.

Make sure you horse is well groomed by using a currycomb and combing your horse, cause horse do not like loose hair itching on them. Also dirt can cause the horse to chaff or cause sores where the saddle lies. Make sure their are no sores where the horse is going to sit on your horse. When the horse is properly groomed the hair on its back should be lying flat and nice and shiny. Always make time to take care of your horse for its health and well being.

Now to Saddle your horse.

Make sure you are on the left side of the horse to start. You can do it from the right but most people do it on the left and it is easier for most of us to do it from the left.. It may be that you have to do it from the right and it is ok, it is not a have to in anyway, just the preferred side. First thing is to lay the blanket on your horse and get it nice and straight ...
... and even over the middle back. When using a western saddle you should fold your blanket in half and place it with the fold facing the horses head. There are Saddles with rings on them so make sure they are out and not down or turned under on the horse so you can attach them so your saddle will not move around on the horse while riding.

When you fold the blanket make it even. It is a good practice when placing the blanket on your horse is to place high on the neck and slide it back into place to keep the hair on the horse down and in place.

Now it is time to place the saddle, itself on the horse. Your stirrups should be hooked over the middle of the saddle before putting it on so not to scare the horse by them hitting it when you place it on its back. Some horses are high spirited and it cause them to jump or kick you. Make sure you lift the saddle over the horse high enough not to move the blanket you have neatly places on the back of the horse. Make sure you evenly sit the saddle over the blanket without moving it. Don't hurry this or just drop the saddle on the horse cause you may spook the horse. Sit the Saddle down easy and slow. When it is sitting higher it will settle into the right place automatically.

Go around your horse and release the stirrup down the side of the horse, don't just flop it down. Make sure the blanket stayed in place and is even under the saddle. Smooth wrinkles or that it is sitting smoothly on the horses back with no hair raised. Double check all these things over cause it is very easy to cause sore on your horse with a saddle that hurts the horse.

Now from the right side reach under the horses belly and grab the girth or cinch, bringing it up and tying the cinch or buckling the girth. Do this in increments by starting it loosely and slowly tighten it . It gives the horse a chance to relax and tighter is not always the best. When you have a nice tightness that is keep the saddle in place but not hurting the horse you should place your fingers in between the girth and the horse, making sure it is not too tight. If you had rings on your blanket now is the time to hook them to your saddle.

Last little reminder is always check the girth every time you mount your horse. It is a good practice cause it can always loosen up and that will cause lots of problems like you falling of the horse from the saddle getting too loose.