Guide On How To Saddle A Horse

 

Author: HorseSaddleStore.com

 

One of the most important aspects of horseback riding is knowing how to saddle a horse. To the uninitiated, learning how to saddle a horse may not seem to be very important, but the fact is that the safety of the rider and horse depend on it. What follows is a brief tutorial on how to saddle a horse, from preparation to the final strap. It assumes you will be learning how to saddle a horse using a western style saddle, and that you are already familiar with safe handling of the horse.

 

 

Professionals teaching pupils how to saddle a horse often stress the importance of the previous step. If sores or wounds are found during the process that would be irritated by the saddle, blanket, or girth and cinch straps, do not saddle that animal. Doing so is almost certain to cause additional discomfort or injury, and a horse in pain is a very dangerous animal.

 

And now we get to the actual process involved in understanding how to saddle a horse. The first thing that goes into place is the saddle blanket. The blanket should be well centered, with the same overhang on either side. People who are learning how to saddle a horse should use a single blanket and pad, but many experienced riders prefer to use separate pad and blankets. If you are using this double protection method, place the pad on top of the blanket, making certain that it is well seated, without any folds or wrinkles in the blanket or pad.

 

Handling the saddle properly is important in knowing how to saddle a horse safely. Fold the stirrups, girth, and cinch straps over the seat of the saddle on the off-side of the horse. Simply flinging the saddles up and over without doing this could result in the animal shying away from the saddle, and that is what we want to avoid. Always move slowly and smoothly.

 

Knowing how to saddle a horse means that you understand the importance of making sure the saddle is seated properly. Inspect it carefully from both sides to be certain nothing has been folded or caught between the saddle and the pad or blanket. Next, the off-side stirrup can be lowered, and the girth and cinch straps can be allowed to dangle. Now we'll begin the last steps of learning how to saddle a horse.

 

Learning how to saddle a horse properly requires using both a girth strap, which goes under the central portion of the horse's belly, and a cinch strap, which encircles the rear portion of the horse's belly. Before tying or buckling either strap, make sure that it is not twisted, and is lying smoothly along the horse in all places where it makes contact.

 

It is important to know how to saddle a horse correctly, especially the straps. The girth strap should be fastened firmly, but not too tight. Force two fingers between the strap and horse, just below where it is tied or buckled, and pull outward. If you

are able to pull out enough for your fingers to slide freely, the strap should be a little tighter. You have almost learned how to saddle a horse, with the exception of one final strap.

 

The last step in learning how to saddle a horse is to fasten the cinch strap. This strap should be snug, but not tight. It's purpose is to prevent the saddle from bouncing up and down not to hold the saddle on the horse. If this strap is too tight, it is likely to cause erratic behavior from the animal as it tries to get away from the pain.

 

In a condensed form, you have just learned how to saddle a horse. There are several steps involved, and each one is important for the safety of both the animal and the rider. Remember, once you are mounted on the horse, it is vital that you are both able to move comfortably. Keeping the horse as comfortable as possible will improve the enjoyment of the ride for the rider as well. You will soon even be able to show someone else how to saddle a horse.