Make sure the metal clasp that attaches to your horse’s halter or the part that attaches to the wall is a quick release such as with a panic snap. Using this instead of a snap hook ensures that your horse can get loose if it panics and gets caught. If you tie your horse with a lead rope, it’s always a good idea to do a quick-release, or slip knot, so that you can take it off quickly in case of emergency. Don’t use the horse’s bridle to tie it up while you are tacking it up. This should be put on your horse before you put on the saddle.
When you pick your horse’s hooves, face the hind end of the horse and bring the horse’s hoof up to you in order to lessen the risk of being kicked and protect your knees. Grooming a horse before tacking it up will help assure that the horse doesn’t get saddle sores or other pain caused by excessive loose hair or dirt. As you groom, check the horse for lumps, bumps, swelling, and heat that could mean your horse is unfit to ride.
Place the stirrup and cinch that will be on the far side of the horse up on top of the saddle. This will make it so they don’t hit the horse when you place the saddle on its body. You can cross the stirrups over the top of the saddle to keep them out of they way until you are ready to mount the horse. But this is optional, you could also ‘run up’ your stirrups by sliding the stirrup up the leather strap (stirrup leather) and then putting the stirrup leather through the middle of the main stirrup part
You want to place the pad a bit higher than the withers at first. Once it’s placed, slide it down a bit so the horse’s hair will not be pushed down in an unnatural position. If you are riding on a western saddle, you will want a thicker saddle pad than you would use with an English saddle since the Western saddles tend to be heavier and have more components. If you are riding with an English saddle, you may want to place both a regular saddle blanket and an English pad on the horse for added cushioning. Put the pads, and the saddle, on from the same side that you mount the horse, which is usually the left side. The horse will be more used to activity on that side of its body.
If you are riding English, lift the top of the pad into place so that it is in contact with the underside of the pommel. It should look like there is a little tenting. It’s easiest to lift both the front of the blanket and saddle up, so they can come down gently from a few centimeters above the withers. Once you place the saddle on the horse’s back, you should take the time to adjust its location on the horse’s back before moving forward with tacking.
The girth should be attached in the first and third billet straps if you are using an English saddle. Some horses are “girthy,” meaning they don’t like their girth being tightened. They may attempt to bite you when you tighten their girth, so be cautious about this. If you are using a breast strap, or rear cinch, now is the time to position them as well.
Always tighten the girth again once you have warmed up, as horses tend to puff their stomach out when being tacked up. Remember to check the tightness of the girth right before mounting.
If you are going to be riding in 2-point position, meaning you will be in a crouched position with your rear end off the saddle, then the stirrups need to be a bit shorter. If the stirrup bar is an old type, it may be hinged to lock the stirrup in place. Always keep it down to help prevent being dragged.
Make sure the strap of the boot goes from the inside of the horse’s leg, wrapping around the front, so the end of the strap is facing backwards on the outside of the leg. Make sure the pressure is even throughout the wrap and that they are clean and free of mud or hair.
When you attach the reins, always make sure the clips are facing outwards. Having them facing outward will make it so the clips don’t rub against your horse’s mouth.
To help a shy horse take the bit, put a little honey or peppermint oil on it. Then praise them each time they take the bit to help them get used to it. Make sure that when putting the bit in the horse’s mouth, you do not hit the horse’s teeth, or they will become sour to the bit. Also, in the winter, be sure to warm the bit so the horse will not become bit-shy.
When you buckle the throat latch, you should be able to fit 4 fingers in between the horse and the throat latch. [7] X Research source You should be able to fit 2 to 3 fingers under the nose band when you buckle it. To buckle a ‘Flash’ nose band, you need to bring it around the horse’s muzzle, in front of and not touching the bit, and then do the buckle under the horses face, making sure it isn’t too tight.
