By eHow Pets Editor
Place your saddle pad so the front of the pad is just in front of the horse's withers (front shoulders).
Place the saddle on top of the pad so the front of the saddle is just in front of the withers. Make sure the saddle is centered.
Buckle the cinch or girth so it is snug around the horse's belly, just behind the front legs. Make sure the cinch or girth doesn't rub or cut into the horse's front legs.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When bringing your horse in, be careful of any other "friends" that may still want to play with the horse. I got kicked by another horse while trying to play with my horse. I fell down and got badly injured.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 After you have tightened the cinch to ride, walk your horse in a wide circle before mounting so that the horse will relax and you will be able to retighten the cinch for a safer ride.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 after tightening the girth, lunge the horse so it will expell any air it has been holding in. the saddle may have to be taken up two or three times before it is tightened for a safe ride.
Anonymous said
on 8/16/2006 When you are going to saddle a horse, do it from the offside. Horses that are saddled from the nearside tend to become one sided. If you saddle from the offside you can let your cinch down gently, so as not to spook them. If you drop the cinch from across the saddle it may spook them, and they could jump on you resulting in injury. You also don't need to walk around the horse as many times. Try it!
Anonymous said
on 7/5/2007 If your horse has sensitive skin, or is sore from a saddle that is too small, try walking around with you horse while he has his saddle on. He will get used to the saddle on a sore spot. Also try putting two pads or blankets under the saddle for extra comfort. You can also give your horse a small massage on his sore spot, it will help him relax.
Also, remember; don't make your saddle too tight or you could give him sore spots.