The first thing you will need to do
before you start riding your horse, or even putting the saddle on the horse, is
grooming your horse. Grooming is important to keep the horse’s coat healthy and
clean. Especially when it is really muddy outside or there is snow on the ground,
which can make your horse very dirty. This dirt and mud needs to be brushed off
either with a curry comb or hard brush, so it will not be irritating for the
horse during the ride or cause your tack to get dirty as well. You will also
want to pick out the horse's hooves of any rocks or mud that can cause harm if
left in the hoof.
Once your horse is fully brushed
and there is no more mud, grime, and the hooves are all clean, then you are
ready to start tacking up your horse starting with the saddle pad. There are
variations of pads that you can choose from depending on the style of riding
you are doing. You want to make sure the pad is up
over the withers a little bit, so the saddle doesn't pinch it or create
uncomfortable pressure for the horse, which could cause sores.
After you make sure the saddle pad
is in place, you can lift the saddle onto the horse making sure it rests nicely
with the pad and doesn’t move around and become uncomfortable. It should look
level and not too far back, forward, or falling to either side. If the saddle
is at all in a poor position, it could easily cause discomfort for the horse
and result in sores, rubbing, pinching, the saddle sliding off, or the horse
acting out by biting, kicking, or bucking. It is extremely important to make
sure the saddle fits you and your horse. A way to make sure the saddle is not
to tight is if you can put your hand flat underneath the pommel and shoulder
area of the saddle and you should be able to move your hand along naturally
when it resting on the horses back. If this is possible, then the saddle
is a good fit for the horse. English saddles are the same way and you need to
make sure it fits you and your horse well, so both of you will have a rice
ride.
The next step you will need to do
is tightening and fastening the girth or cinch, which is a band that is
attached to the saddle that goes below the horse's body, right behind the front
legs, and comes around to attach on the other side of the saddle. Once you grab
the girth/cinch from the other side of the saddle and pulled it up from under
the horse. If you are riding western, you will have a long leather strip that
you must pull through the saddle and the cinch several times until you can put
it through the top hole of the saddle when it is tight. An English saddle is
similar, except it doesn’t have the long strap. Instead you just pull it tight
and attach it like you would a belt.
Quite a few of the riders would just
put on the bridle and get on the horse. While some others would lunge their
horse for ten minutes to get the horse warn out. I learned from my trainer and from experience
that this isn't always the safest way. I have been taught that you need to work
on the ground before you get in the saddle. So, the next step is when you make
it out to the arena or wherever you are going to be riding. You will still have
the halter and lead rope on the horse and this is your chance to test of things
out with your horse. You can see how it will act in the area, around
other horses, and even see if it's attention will stay on you. When I take my
horses out to play before I ride, I use the Parelli Natural Horsemanship games
to make sure I am getting the responses and trust I need before I get on their
back. Some of the things I do with my horse is some games and maneuvers that I
will ask them to do when I'm in the saddle. These include backing up without
too much pressure, moving the hindquarters away from me when I ask, and moving
his neck along with his shoulder while keeping its hindquarters still. I also
have my horse go out and do circles around me. I ask them to change speeds,
directions, stop, and come to me. I will be asking the horse to do these things
when I am riding, so I want to make sure they are comfortable and listening
before I try and do anything in the saddle.
Once I feel they are
listening and responding to my cues, then I will take my bridle and
gently slip it on. When I have checked to see if the girth is still tight and
my bridle is on correctly, then all I have left to do is put on my helmet and I
am ready to ride. It's always best to test a few of the things you did on the
ground in the saddle as well. For example, bending the neck, stopping,
changing speeds, and moving different directions.
These steps are essential to
do before riding your horse no matter where you are or how long it has been
since your horse has been ridden or how trained it is. These are the best ways
to keep you and your horse safe and have the best partnership and ride. I wish
you the best and hope that this helps you know the steps you need to take for safety
and have the best ride for you and your horse.
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