Comments on: How to Tack Up a Horse

on 11/30/2005 I can't stress how important it is to make sure that your saddle fits properly, a good saddle fits both the rider and the horse. If your saddle doesn't fit your horse he'll be very uncomfortable and it could result in him bucking, rearing, etc., because the pain is so bad.

on 11/22/2005 Always remember to keep your bridle in very good condition to prevent calluses from doubling on the horses face and muzzle.

on 11/22/2005 Just prepare. There's a little more to this than you might think. Before you can saddle your horse successfully, that is, without tying him and without him getting bothered by the whole procedure, you need to prepare him. You should not have to tie your horse in order to saddle him. If you DO need to tie him in order to saddle him, he's telling you that he is bothered by this scary thing. If this is the case, you will need to take a couple of steps back and work on preparation.

1.) Put on his halter and lead rope.
2.) Stand next to your horse's shoulder while holding the lead rope and swing it up and over his withers just like you were going to put a saddle on him. Just swing the lead rope up on his back and give him a hug as the rope goes over his withers and back. Repeat this from both sides until he is completely comfortable with it.
3.) Repeat the same procedure with your saddle blanket. He might be a little more bothered by the blanket, so you might have to "sack him out" a little bit. If this is the case, first allow him to smell it. Then, rub it gently all over his body until he is comfortable with it.
4.) Now, you're ready for the saddle. Repeat the same procedure as you did with the saddle blanket (I think it's a good idea to rub him all over his body with the saddle until he is comfortable with it).
5.) Once he is comfortable with the saddle, swing it up on his back and take it off immediately many times from both sides (you do NOT want to create a one sided horse). And when you put the saddle on his back, do it with consideration. Don't just slap it on.
6.) Now, put the saddle blanket on his back, a little forward of his withers so you can slide it back into place with his hair, and put the saddle on top of the blanket.
7.) Once the saddle is on the blanket, lift up the front part of your saddle pad to create an air pocket on top of your horse's withers.
8.) If you're riding with a Western saddle, snug up the front cinch first. Then, you can fasten your back cinch. (I like to snug the back cinch as close to his belly as I can because I don't want it to get caught on sage brush, twigs or branches.) Don't pull the front cinch too tight, just snug. Then walk your horse around for a few minutes and tighten your cinch until it's just a little tighter than snug. After you ride for half an hour or so, you might want to check it again.
9.) When you remove your saddle, remove your back cinch first if you have one.
10.) Secure your latigo and hook your cinches back up to the keeper so that they're ready to go the next time. Reach under the blanket and remove both the blanket and the saddle at the same time.

Happy trails!