How to Tack a Horse

A big part of riding a horse is learning to tack. In one sense, it is the most important step in riding. It is a critical time to bond with the horse and to learn things about his personality and how to respect him and of course to learn more about his physiology. Also, if you don’t tack him correctly, pain and irritation will result and possibly put you in danger.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Saddle pad
• Saddle
• Girth
• Bridle
• Grooming tools

1. Make sure that your horse is completely groomed and that there are no clumps of dirt or fur anywhere on your horse.

2. The first step in tacking your horse is to put the saddle pad on. When placing the saddle pad upon the horse, you need to place it evenly across the back and just a little bit in front of the withers.

3. After you have made sure the saddle pad is securely in place, then you will need to pick up the saddle and swing it on. The proper position of the saddle is right on the horse’s withers. Make sure the saddle is not tilted to the side and that the saddle pad extends around all the edges of the saddle, with no part of the saddle on the horse without the saddle pad in between them. On the saddle pad, you will have two Velcro-covered straps that are not fastened to any part of the saddle. Take the strap on either side and fasten it around the first leather strap under the saddle flap.

4. Fasten the girth around the saddle. Begin fastening on the right side of the saddle, where you will take the elastic side of the girth and fasten it on hole two. Walk around behind the horse and reach under to grab it, then fasten it on hole two on the left side. Put your hand under the girth and if your hand can fit with a lot of room to spare, go back to the elastic side and pull it tighter by one hole. Continue to tighten the girth one hole on either side at a time. If you do this step too fast, it can cause great discomfort to your horse.

5. Once the saddle is securely fastened, take the bridle and hold the bit of it in your outstretched palm with the crown of the bridle in your other hand, raised up. Bring the bit to the horse’s mouth and gently coax it in. If your horse is not willing to accept it, slide your thumb into the horse’s mouth and tickle their gum. Once you have slid the bit into the horse’s mouth and bring the top of the bridle over the horse’s ears.

6. Make sure that there are two wrinkles where the bit is pulling on your horse’s mouth. Once you have made sure of that, then pull the nose-band down, and make sure that it is even. Fasten the nose-band so that you can fit two fingers in between the nose-band and the horse’s nose. Next you have to fasten the throatlatch to where you can fit your whole hand snugly in between the space between the throat and the throatlatch.