How to Put Together a Horse Saddle
When you purchase a new saddle, it may be unassembled, with various pieces such as the stirrups, leathers and girth packaged separately. You'll need to know how to put them together so you can start using the saddle. You also need to know about proper assembly so you can put your saddleback together when you take it apart later to give it a thorough cleaning. This task is easy to accomplish when you know the right steps.
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Instructions
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1
Thread the stirrup leathers through the slots at the top of each stirrup. If you are using stirrup pads, pop them into the space at the bottom of each stirrup so your foot will rest on the pad when you are riding.
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2
Lift the flap on the saddle's skirt (the top front flap), and slip the stirrup leather onto the bar you will find underneath. The buckle should face outward so it is easy to adjust. Push up the end of the bar to keep the leather from sliding off while you are riding. Pull the leather down so that buckle slides all the way up to the bar. Repeat the process with the other leather on the other side of the saddle.
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3
Slip the excess part of the stirrup leather through the holder strap that is sewn onto the saddle flap on each side.
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4
On the right ride of the saddle, lift the skirt to locate the billet straps. Buckle the girth onto these straps. Most saddles have three billet straps, but most girths only have two buckles. Strap the girth on the outer two straps, leaving the middle one free.
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Go back and recheck all of the connections. Make sure that the stirrup leathers are secure and that you popped up the end of the bars to hold them in place. Double-check the girth to make sure that it is properly buckled onto the billet straps. You should never use a saddle unless you have rechecked it to make sure it is properly assembled. This can prevent a tragic accident.
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Tips & Warnings
Never attach the girth to the billet straps on the left side of the saddle. When you are tightening the saddle, you should always work on the horse's left side since that is also the side where you mount. Thus you will buckle the girth on the left when you are actually saddling the horse and tightening the girth strap.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo: Libertyville Saddle Shop
