Use a curry comb to detangle dirt, mud, and any other debris that might be matted in your horse’s hair. Do not use the curry comb over any bony parts of the horse’s body, as these may be more sensitive and could be injured by aggressive combing. Do not curry comb the neck and face. [2] X Research source Use a stiff-bristled body brush, also called the dandy brush, to continue dislodging hard-to-remove debris and remove the debris you’ve already dislodged. You can use this brush on the neck, chest, and legs. [3] X Research source Use a soft brush to gently flick away the debris removed by the curry comb and the body brush. Use this brush to do the face and legs. [4] X Research source Use a hoof pick to clean your horse’s feet. In order to do this, lean against the side of your horse, be sure you aren’t facing the legs and back of the horse so it wont be able to be kicked, and squeeze the horse’s leg along the tendons which run right above the fetlock that you want lifted. Then, hold the hoof wall as you pick out the dirt, manure and rocks from the horse’s hoof. Additionally, check the hooves for foreign bodies. Do this for all four hooves. Finish things off by gently wiping down your horse’s face and body with a clean grooming cloth. [5] X Research source
Put the saddle pad on the withers (shoulders), slightly forward of where you want it to end up. The saddling process will inevitably drag the saddle pad back, so starting slightly forward should allow the saddle and pad to end up where you want them. Never slide the saddle pad forward on your horse’s back for you will cause the hair to go against the grain and make it uncomfortable for the horse. [6] X Research source
The easiest way to keep your cinches, straps and stirrups out of the way is to cross them over the top of the saddle and put them around the horn. Keep them around the horn until you’re ready to secure them.
Stand next to your horse’s left shoulder. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, with your left foot near the horse’s left hoof and your right foot slightly behind your left. Swing your torso and hoist the saddle up, so that your right arm ends up draped across the horse’s back. This should land the saddle right on the saddle pad, on your horse’s back.
Ensure that the breast collar’s center cinch strip is aligned with the center of your horse’s pectorals. Thread the latigo from the left side through the ring on the end of the cinch and D ring twice. Pull tightly, then thread the latigo around the back of the D ring to the left, around front then back through. The end should then come through the middle of the D ring, and thread down behind the loop made (like tying a tie), pulling tightly again.
