Lift the saddle high enough that it doesn’t hit the horse or knock the pad out of position. The saddle should be placed slightly forward and settled back. Be careful to place the saddle gently on the horse’s back. Letting a saddle fall heavily onto your horse’s back may cause it to spook or resent being saddled (become ‘cold backed’).
Saddle Your Horse Step-by-Step
By Katherine Blocksdorf, About.com Guide
Lift the Saddle On
Lift the saddle carefully over the horse's back.
2005 K. Blocksdorf
The stirrups on an English saddle should be run up the leathers, and the offside stirrup of a Western saddle should be hooked over the horn or folded over the seat. The girth or cinch, if they are attached, should be folded back over the saddle seat. With stirrups and cinch out of the way, they won’t hit the horse as you lift the saddle over the horse’s back.
Prev
- Groom With Your Horse Safely Tied
- Position the Blanket or Pad
- Lift the Saddle On
- Check Both Sides of the Saddle
- Fasten Cinch or Girth
- Do Up the Girth Buckles or Cinch Straps
- Help the Saddle Settle and Remove Wrinkles
Getting Ready to Ride
Explore Horses
Must Reads
About.com Special Features
Holiday Central
What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >
Make Your Own Scented Pine Cones
Bring a little of the fall season in your home with this easy-to-make craft. More >
©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.