Tacking up a Horse
When tacking up a horse, ALWAYS brush and pick hooves before putting on any tack. This done to prevent dirt from rubbing on the horse or on the tack. Be sure to pay extra attention to the legs if they need wrapped.
After the horse has been cleaned off, you can start by getting all the tack out before you start so the horse is not left unattended. For riding typically tack used is, a bridle, reins, a blanket, a pad, the saddle, a girth band and stirrups. Some extra items that also may be used is a martingale, a crop, and spurs (there are many more but these are the normally what is seen). When putting on tack most horses are train to put and take off on the left horse. 1. The first thing to do is put the blanket on the back on the horse, it should fit right on top of the withers and end right at the hips. The blanket helps the pad and saddle rubbing on the back. 2. Next is the pad, this sits on top of the blanket. The pad gives a little bit more cushion to help the saddle fit better and prevent rubbing. 3. Now it is time to put the saddle on, the stirrup should already be attached so be careful about swinging them around and hitting horse. When the saddle is on making sure it is in the right position is very important. The pad pommel of the saddle should be over the base of the withers with the pad pulled up in the pommel and the skirt should not be around the hit. Position of the saddles very important about the smoothness of the ride. A better fitting saddle means a better ride with a happy horse. |
4. Next to put on is the girth. The girth should already be attached on the right. The middle of the girth should line up with the middle of body of the horse. When strapping the girth on, it should be snug against the belly. The rider should be able to still fit two to three fingers into the girth (note. horses sometimes like to suck in air and expand their bellies. Be sure to check the girth again before riding).
5. Before going to the ring, checking the stirrup lengths are close to what you are going to need. A quick way to check this is to hold the arm out with your hand in a fist. The fist should be touching the saddle and the stirrups should come up to under the rider’s armpit, be sure to put the stirrups back up in the holding position so they do not swing around.
6. Now it is time to put the bridle on. If the horse is in cross ties, release them from the cross ties. Put the reins over the head and around the neck so you have a little bit of control. Remove the halter and as quickly as you can put the bit in the horse's mouth and the bridle on its face. Next, buckle everything that is needed. And now the horse should be tacked up properly.
Following these steps will help you learn how to tack up a horse the right way.
Note. Different disciplines may be variances of how to tack of a horse.
5. Before going to the ring, checking the stirrup lengths are close to what you are going to need. A quick way to check this is to hold the arm out with your hand in a fist. The fist should be touching the saddle and the stirrups should come up to under the rider’s armpit, be sure to put the stirrups back up in the holding position so they do not swing around.
6. Now it is time to put the bridle on. If the horse is in cross ties, release them from the cross ties. Put the reins over the head and around the neck so you have a little bit of control. Remove the halter and as quickly as you can put the bit in the horse's mouth and the bridle on its face. Next, buckle everything that is needed. And now the horse should be tacked up properly.
Following these steps will help you learn how to tack up a horse the right way.
Note. Different disciplines may be variances of how to tack of a horse.