How to Tack a Horse

Nikki Engwall
English 202C
22 June, 2014
























Horses have been domesticated since about 4000 BCE, according to historical
researchers. Over time, they have been used for hunting, transport, and simple recreation.
Today, riding is a popular hobby for many people, and there are many options in riding
disciplines, including jumping, dressage, barrel racing, and calf roping. The two main types of
riding are English and Western, differing in the equipment used and the way the horse is
ridden. This guide will focus on the English type of riding. One of the first steps in learning how
to ride is how to tack up the horse. Tack refers to the saddle and bridle, and tacking up is
the process of putting them on the horse and preparing the horse to be ridden. It should be
done carefully and gently, and in total will take about 10-15 minutes.



IMPORTANT: Safety Information
Make sure the horse is securely restrained, either in cross ties or tied to a sturdy object
(fence, wall, stall) with a lead rope using a quick release knot.
Always wear boots or other closed toed shoes when around horses. Be aware of the
horses hooves at all times, and do not place your feet where they can be stepped on.
Never ride without a helmet.
When working with horses, and unless otherwise noted, always work from the horses
near side (left side).
When walking behind the horse, keep a hand on the horses rump and talk quietly so he
knows where you are. That is a blind spot, and he cannot see you if you are behind him.
Horses are prey animals, and sudden movements and loud noises may cause
unpredictable reactions. Never work alone with a horse.
These instructions are to be followed only after the horse has been groomed before
tacking. If not, dirt will cause sores and rubs on the horses back and girth area. Before
tacking, make sure the horse is adequately groomed.

Items Needed
Horse
Saddle pad
Saddle
Girth
Bridle
Types of English Saddle Pads






Figure 1: Schooling Pad
Source: Perris Leather Tack
Figure 2: Show Pad
Source: Dover Saddlery
Girth
Strap
Billet
Strap



Parts of an English Saddle


















Cantle
Stirrup
Leather
Stirrup
Skirt
Saddle Flap
Knee Roll
Pommel
Seat
Figure 3: All-purpose English saddle
Source: Dover Saddlery
Figure 4: Underside of an English saddle
Source: Tack Wholesale
Saddle
Flap
Billet
Straps
Figure 5: Girth
Source: The Horse of Course
Elastic
End
Non-Elastic
End


Parts of an English Bridle












Step 1: Putting on the Saddle

1. After thoroughly grooming the horse, place
the saddle pad on the horses back. With a
show pad, make sure the widest part is
towards the front. Schooling pads are
contoured over the withers, so that part
goes in the front.

Tip: Make sure the hair underneath is lying
flat by placing it forward onto the withers
and sliding it back into position.
Reins
Bit
Cheekpiece
Noseband
Throatlatch
Crownpiece/ Headpiece
Browband
Figure 6: English Bridle
Source: Dover Saddlery
Figure 7: English Bridle on Horse
Source: Valley Vet
Withers



2. Check the position of the pad. The front of
the pad should be at about the highest point of
the horses withers. The strap that the girth goes
through should be placed right behind the elbow.
Make sure the pad is evenly over the back, and
not crooked towards one side.







3. Optional: if your horse needs additional
padding due to soreness or a bony back,
you may elect to use a bounce pad or
other cushioning on top of the saddle pad
to help absorb shock.







4. From the left side of the horse, gently
place the saddle on the horses back. It should
sit comfortably right behind the withers,
without rubbing them. Ensure that the saddle
is not crooked by checking the placement from
both sides of the horse, as well as from behind.



Withers
Girth Strap right
behind elbow
Bounce Pad


5. On the right side of the horse, slide
the girth through the loop in on the
saddle pad.

Tip: It is best to start off by using the
holes lower on the billet, because it is
easier to tighten than loosen the
girth when bucking the opposite side.
If the girth has two elastic ends, you
can use either one. If the girth has
only one elastic end, attach the non-
stretchy end first.




6. Attach the buckles of the girth to the
first two billet straps. The girth should sit
about an inch behind the horses elbow to
ensure the saddle is not impeding the horses
movements. Let the free end of the girth hang
down.




7. Walk to the left side of the horse, and
reach underneath carefully to grab onto
the girth hanging from the right side.
Gently pull the free end of the girth over,
and buckle it to the billet straps on the left
side.
Warning: Be aware of all four of the
horses hooves when reaching underneath




8. Tighten the girth gently and slowly so
that you do not hurt or scare the horse.
The girth should be tight enough that
the saddle does not slip when you go to
mount, but not too tight that you are
pinching the skin or restricting the
movement and breathing of the horse.
You should be able to slip a few fingers
underneath, with some resistance.

Tip: It is best to go hole by hole,
moving back and forth between both billet straps on one side so that the pressure is
always even. You may have to go back and adjust the buckles on the other side of the
horse.

Step 2: Putting on the Bridle

1. Make sure the throatlatch and noseband are unbuckled before starting.






2. Put the reins of the bridle over the
horses head and onto his neck, so
that if he decides to walk away when
the halter comes off, you have a way
to control him.







3. Unclip the crossties or lead rope and take off the
halter.








4. With your right hand holding onto the
crownpiece and the noseband, lift the
bridle so that the bit is right under the
horses mouth. With your left hand, slide
the bit into the mouth, making sure it is
resting on top of the tongue, not
underneath.

Tip: You may have to slip your thumb into
the open space on the side of the horses
mouth to encourage him to open up.







5. When the bit is in place, let the noseband
drop and lift the crownpiece over the horses ears,
gently putting the ears through.









6. Slide the ends of the noseband underneath
the cheekpieces. Buckle the noseband
underneath the muzzle so that you can fit
one or two fingers between it and the
horse.












7. Buckle the throatlatch, so that it is loose
enough that you can fit three fingers through
comfortably. If the throatlatch is too tight, it could
restrict the horses ability to breathe.





8. Ensure that all straps are buckled and loose ends through the keepers. You are now
tacked up and ready to ride!

Tips and Troubleshooting


Many horses puff up when putting the girth on. This is when they inhale and hold
their breath, pushing their stomachs out when you tighten the girth. Once they resume
breathing normally and you go to mount later, the girth will be too loose and will slip.
o Avoid this by tightening the girth in increments, and tightening it again right
before you go to mount, as well as a few minutes after warming up.
o Tightening the girth slowly and incrementally also prevents the horse from
becoming girthy, or aggressive due to pain when tightening the girth too
harshly.

When you are not using your saddle, put the
stirrups up to keep them from hitting the
horse when you put the saddle on, as well as
when you lead him around.
o To do this, hold onto the stirrup
leather and slide the stirrup up the
lower leather until it reaches the top,
where the leather meets the saddle.
o Then tuck the loop in the stirrup
leather down through the stirrup
itself, and pull so that it lies flat.
o Letting the stirrup hit the horse will
cause it to become afraid during the
saddling process, as will dropping the saddle on the horses back. Always do so
gently.

Always use clean, well maintained equipment. Any cracks in the leather or a broken
saddle will pinch the horse and cause discomfort. Regular cleaning and oiling of the
leather will lengthen the life of your tack.

Do not try to put a cold bit in the horses mouth in the winter. It is very uncomfortable,
and may result in the horse becoming difficult to bridle later on. Warm it up under hot
water beforehand.


Figure 8: Stirrup correctly raised up when not in use.