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A step by step guide on how to put a saddle on a horse
If you’re new to horses, and to horseback riding, you’re naturally going to be nervous about how to put a saddle on a horse. After all, it is an intimidating-looking piece of equipment with its dangling straps, stirrups, and buckles!
Fear not though! We’ve got you covered with our step-by-step guide on how to properly saddle a horse. From picking the saddle up off its saddle rack to hopping on board and riding off into the sunset… Here’s what you need to know about how to saddle up a horse.
Learning How To Properly Put A Saddle On A Horse
This basic guide on how to put a saddle on a horse will take you through the steps to do it. However, for safety, get someone with experience to show you how to do it the first few times. Only attempt to saddle a horse on your own once you know what you’re doing.
Step-By-Step Guide – How To Saddle A Horse
- Give your horse a good groom. Pay particular attention to where the saddle will sit. You want to make sure there’s no dirt or debris there that will get trapped under the saddle blanket. This can cause discomfort or even injury to the horse.
- Make sure your saddle blanket or saddle pad is also clean before you put it on. Dust off anything that will irritate the horse’s back – clover burrs, prickets, grass seeds and so on.
- Standing on the left-hand side of the horse (the ‘nearside’) place the saddle blanket or pad on the horse’s back. It should sit evenly and cover the entire area where the saddle will sit. There should not be any edges underneath the pressure points of the saddle once it’s on the horse’s back.
- Hold the saddle in front of you with the front of the saddle (the pommel) facing the front of the horse, and the back of the saddle (the cantle) facing the horse’s rump.
- Lift the saddle slowly and place it down gently on the horse’s back on top of the saddle blanket or pad. The pommel should be sitting over the withers and the seat should be centred on the horse’s back.
- Ensure both saddle flaps are lying flat against the horse’s sides and not folded up underneath the saddle. Note – it’s a good idea to fold the girth over the top of the saddle and run the stirrups up their straps. That way they will not hit the horse when you are putting the saddle on, or get caught underneath. A correctly fitting saddle will sit clear of the horse’s spine all the way down the gullet.
- Pull the front of the saddle blanket up into the gullet of the saddle under the pommel so it forms a tent over the withers. This stops it bunching up or creating pressure points across the top of the horse’s wither when you’re sitting in the saddle.
- Drop the girth (the strap that holds the saddle in place) down on the opposite side of the horse so that it hangs freely from the saddle on that side. Reach underneath the horse, take hold of the girth, and pull it back towards you. It has a buckle, or buckles on the end. These thread onto the girth strap or straps located between the 2 side flaps of the saddle. Don’t tighten it up completely yet.
- Check the position of the saddle, blanket, and girth, and make any necessary adjustments. The girth must sit comfortably in the flat area behind the horse’s elbows. Make sure the skin underneath the girth is lying flat and smooth.
- When you know everything is correct, finish tightening the girth. Then double-check everything for safety.
- Drop the stirrups and adjust them to the right length. As a rule, this length will be roughly equal to the length of your arm from your armpit to the knuckles on your fisted hand. To measure – ball your hand into a fist. Put your knuckles against the saddle where the stirrup leather mount is. Take a step back with your fist still against the saddle so that your arm extends to its full length. Pick up the stirrup iron with your other hand, place it against your armpit, and then adjust the buckle on the stirrup leather so that the strap is tight. Make a note of the hole number the buckle is now in. Go around to the other stirrup and adjust that buckle so it’s in the same hole. When mounted, the stirrups should hang at the rider’s ankle level when their feet are out of them.
- Put the horse’s bridle on and pop your riding helmet on your head. Get someone experienced at saddling a horse to make sure you’ve done it correctly and you’re ready to mount. Try to use a mounting block if possible because it’s kinder on the horse’s back.
And that’s it – how to put a saddle on a horse.
Get Experienced Help To Learn How To Put A Saddle On A Horse
Like most things, the only way to get good at putting a saddle on a horse is to practice. However, don’t attempt to get on and ride the first time you figure out how to put a saddle on a horse by yourself! Always have someone experienced check everything first!
