Horse Basics: and More

How To: Tack Up English

You are going to need:

Saddle that fits you and your horse, girth, saddle pad, half pad(optional), bridle, boots/polo wraps, any martingale or breastplate.

Step 1

Make sure your horse is freshly groomed and clean before tacking up. Grab your saddle pad and when putting it on, make sure it is not inside out or facing the wrong way. Note: the billet straps should be at the withers. When you place your saddle on, it will slide down an inch or two so make sure you put it up a bit more. If you use a half pad, same rules apply as before. Make sure they both are centered.

Step 2

Take your martingale or breastplate and place it aound your horse's neck. Make sure it is not dragging on the ground for your horse to trip and spook or anything like that to happen.

Step 3

Grab your saddle and girth. Gently place the saddle on your horse. Take the girth in your hands. Notice that one side has an elastic-like side and one does not. The non-elastic side goes on your horse's right and the elastic side on their left. Pull the girth through the girth straps on your pad and buckle it to the two outisde straps on the first or seond hole. Avoid the middle billet strap. If you use a martingale loop, go to the other side and slip the loop through your girth. Feed the girth through the girth straps. Buckle the same as before but but third or fourth holes.

Step 4

If you use splint boots, take one and look at it. The black part has a circular shape at one end. The "Big Part" (as I call it) goes on the Bottom. B=B The buckles of the boot go in the front along with the velcro straps while the black part goes on the inside of the leg. The boots go on the splint hence the name "Splint Boots". It is the bone that is below the knee and above the "ankle" of the legs. Don't tighten it too tight or else you could damage their bones. Just put it tight enough that it won't slide down while you are working them.

Step 5

Take off your horses halter and grab your bridle and reins. Taking the bridle ,more like the crown piece, in your right hand and standing on your horse's left, use your left hand and rest it on the bridge of his nose. Bring your right arm and rest it ontop of the neck and your hand/wrist should be between their ears. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOUR HORSE IS HEAD SHY. Take your noseband and bit and feed the bit in their mouth. If they refuse to open, simply put your thumb at the top of their mouth near the back teeth and kind of push down. This will get them to open their mouth. Once successfully opened, slide your bit into their mouth and make sure the noseband straps are under the cheekpeice. Fasten the noseband so that you can fit 2 fingers between the strap and their head. This helps them not to chew on their bit if they get bored or bratty. Next, secure the throatlatch and make sure it is not so tight that you are suffocating them, but not too loose where its not going to help you out or do anything. You want to be able to fit 4 fingers between the throatlatch and their throat. Adjust the bit and see if they have a little "smile" where there are small wrinkles in the corner of their lips/mouth. After adjusting your straps, if you haven't already, snap on your reins, grab your helmet, and you are ready to go and have a nice ride.

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A/N
The photo is of me and the horse I ride, Andy.