Things You'll Need:
- a horse
- bridle and saddle
- a riding helmet
- concentration
- commitment
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Step 1
Make sure the horse is standing four square: the horse's front feet and back feet will be beside each other to create a rectangle.
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Step 2
Tighten the girth by raising the leathers in the buckles until you can just fit your hand under it.
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Step 3
Lower both stirrups and check their length by placing the tips of your fingers on the top edge of the buckle and raising the leather and stirrup under your arm so that the sole of the stirrup reaches into your arm pit. Pull the leather buckle up or down until it fits the length from your fingertips to your arm pit exactly. Stand in front of the horse and check that the stirrups are of equal length.
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Step 4
Take the reins over the horse's head and gather them in your left hand so that you have gentle contact with the bit and through the slack over to the off side. Place your hand on the withers in front of the pommel of the saddle. Stand with your left shoulder close to the horse's left shoulder, take hold of the stirrup iron with your right hand and place your left foot in the iron. Turn your foot inwards without prodding the horse.
Hop forward about three times until your chest is facing the flank. Hold the sweat flap with your right hand and push yourself up by straightening your left leg and stepping up in the stirrup. Support yourself on the withers with your left hand and place your right hand on the pommel.
Swing your right leg over the horse's croup without touching the horse. Rest your right knee on the sweat flap and slide down very gently into the saddle then put your right foot into the stirrup iron. You're up! -
Step 5
Stand up in the stirrups to equalise them, then take your foot out of each iron to make sure it reaches to the angle between your foot and leg. This is the ideal stirrup length for your leg.
Move your left leg forward and lift the left saddle flap and ensure the girth is still tight. Sometimes a horse will puff himself out when you tighten the girth from the ground. Then, once you're in the saddle, the horse will exhale and the girth will loosen.
