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