Introduction: How to Saddle and Unsaddle a Horse
Properly learn how to saddle and unsaddle a horse.
Step 1: Part 1: Halter the Horse
-Undo buckle on halter or
sometimes it may be a knotted rope
-There will be two major loops with ropes connecting them, face the big loop towards the horse and slowly pull it onto the horse.
-The small loop should sit above the horse’s nose and mouth
-The big loop will sit behind the ears (sometimes have to pull the ears out if they are tucked under)
-Buckle or knot the rope of the halter
Step 2: Put on the Saddle Blanket
The saddle blanket should sit in
the middle of the horses back even on both left and right sides.
-The front of the blanket should sit behind the shoulder and in front of the back leg (it is okay if it is covering some part of the mane)
Step 3: Lift Saddle Onto Horse
-Grab the saddle, and lift up tassels,
stirrup and all material from the right side of saddle, to the middle and stay in place
-Sometimes it may be difficult to hold everything at the top so you may have to tilt the saddle sideways when you hold it until it is on the horse
-Approach the horse on left side and lift the saddle onto the saddle blanket
Step 4: Position Saddle
-Make sure the center of the
saddle is on the horse’s spine and is on top of the saddle blanket completely
-Pull out anything tucked underneath the saddle and have everything dangling from the sides of the saddle
-Front of saddle point should be behind horse’s front shoulder
Step 5: Buckling Cinch
-Still standing on left side
grab the cinch from underneath the horse and pull the piece of leather through the hook
-Make sure cinch is along the chest and not pushed up against the armpit of the shoulders
-Tighten the cinch by going through the hook it originated from and the cinch loop until tight
-Put extra length of leather into the same hook or another notch in the saddle
Step 6: Buckling Back Belt
-Some saddles have another buckle in the back similar to the
cinch
-Buckle it together and it should be loose but not dragging or hitting the horses back legs
Step 7: Secure Strrups
-Most stirrups will be already
adjusted but to be safe make sure the pins are hooked into the hole correctly
-Adjust the length of the stirrups if needed
Step 8: Undo All Belts
-Undo all belts on the saddle
-Make sure all ropes and items are not tangled
Step 9: Pull Off Saddle and Blanket
-Pull off the saddle and blanket from the horse and put away
-Make sure nothing gets caught when pulling off and if it does put it back on to adjust the issue
Step 10: Brush Horse
-Find a brush for the horse’s body
-Brush at the top of the neck and work done and laterally towards the butt
-Find a brush for the horse’s tail and mane
-Brush main out
-Brush tail out by stepping beside the horse’s butt (not directly behind), grab the hair and pull it towards you
Step 11: Undo Halter
-Undo main buckle on halter
-Slowly ease the halter down towards the ground and it will fall off the horse’s face with ease