Learning how to saddle a horse is one of the most important aspects of horse riding. Granted, saddling a horse is not as fun as riding one, but if the horse is not properly saddled a great deal of the fun in riding the horse will be eliminated. Additionally, an improperly saddled horse is dangerous to ride.

Many, many years ago, it was not uncommon that the riders of the great, wild horses rode bareback. When looking at the texts of the Roman Empire, one can clearly see detailed explanation on the soldier s saddling their horses. This means that somewhere in between the days of the cavemen and the Roman Empire, someone figured out that horses needed to be saddled. The reason for this is obvious: people who rode bareback fell off their horses and fell off often! While this may seem humorous on the surface, the reality of the matter is that if one falls off a horse when riding there is great potential for serious injury. As such, proper instruction on how to saddle a horse is mandatory.

Generalizing on How To Saddle A Horse

When it comes to saddling a horse, there are a number of general steps to follow that include properly cleaning the horse before saddling, properly approaching the horse, placing the saddle within the proper position on the horse, affixing the saddle in place, making sure the saddle does not slide, etc. Of course, these are all general points and there are numerous details to follow, but they can not be learned out of a book nor can learning how to saddle a horse be taught in pictures. Again, improper saddling of a horse can be a dangerous proposition.

Learning How To Saddle A Horse

The best way to learn how to saddle a horse involves first watching an individual who understands the proper way to saddle a horse. Paying close attention to the proper means of going about saddling the horse is the first step in breeding a sense of familiarity with the subject. The next step is to attempt to saddle the horse yourself while under the watchful eye of a person who knows the proper way to saddle. This will reduce your chances of making a mistake or learning improperly. If you learn properly then you will maintain the level of safety that was previously mentioned and this will make the sport of horseback riding a fun activity as opposed to a hazardous one.

When you want to know how to properly saddle a horse you should realize straight off that saddling a western saddle or an English saddle is one and the same thing, and the steps you need to follow for one type can be used on the other. So, to know how to properly saddle a horse you must start at the very beginning and ensure that before actually saddling your horse that it has already been groomed, and also look for any sores, especially whether there are any where you are going to place the saddle. Next, you need to properly brush your horse to leave him free of dirt, grit and other nuisances which will ensure that it does not get irritated or chaffed and a good sign before saddling the horse is to see that its hair on its back and girth is lying flat.

By Tradition, Place The Saddle From The Left Side Of The Horse

By tradition, you will learn that to know how to properly saddle a horse means placing the saddle on the horse from its left side, though occasionally if required, it can also be done from the right side as well. A blanket should be placed, and when a western saddle is being placed you will need to fold up the blanket and place it over the horse with fold pointing in the direction of the head of the horse.

After placing the blanket on the horse s back you are now ready to place the saddle though you need to ensure that the stirrups are properly hooked which will prevent them from smacking the horse. So, to learn how to properly saddle a horse you may want to observe some experienced hands doing the job so that you have a better idea and a clearer picture about what it takes to saddle the horse properly.

You will notice that the saddle is lifted high and then placed on the horses back on the blanket which should not be disturbed in the process. The saddle should be gently placed on the blanket and not dropped on the back as that can spook your horse. Another tip you will learn about how to properly saddle a horse is that when you do place the saddle, it should be placed a bit higher up the back so that it can then settle into where it actually should be.

Another tip you should know about regarding how to properly saddle a horse is to unattach the stirrups and also see whether the blanket has remained in place or not, and smoothen the wrinkles if any in the blanket and see also that the hair are still flat. Next, you can reach under the horse and gather the girth/cinch and then bring it back before tying the cinch or buckling the girth and do so in small increments which will help the horse to relax and you can stop when you feel the tightness is just right and there should be place between horse and girth for your fingers to slip through. With this simple step, you will have properly saddled your horse and can safely ride it if you so wish.

So, as you can see that to learn how to properly saddle a horse is not difficult and all that it needs has to practice till it becomes second nature to you and hopefully for the horse as well.

There is really not much difference between saddling your horse using Western saddles and English saddles as both types can be used without any new kind of knowledge required. However, once they are placed on a horse saddle stand there may be times when the saddles roll or tip off the stand. Thus, you would be sure to welcome any means and suggestions that will help you overcome the problem, and though there are many solutions available, there is nevertheless some that are more suitable than others.

Simulate Shoulders Of Horse

In this regard there is a good solution in the form of a wooden horse saddle stand that can have sizes of two by four inch boards for free standing stands, or two by eight inch boards as used with the wall-mounted stands. These horse saddle stands should also have features that will simulate the shoulders of the horse as also something in the center to keep the gullet of the saddle steady.

So, by using built-up pieces of wood one can easily make a horse saddle stand that is neat and which also makes the barn look orderly, and which will keep the saddles from falling off the horse saddle stand. The best part about choosing a proper horse saddle stand is that it helps keep the saddles safe and is also a good piece of furniture that you can place anywhere you desire. Choosing different woods will depend on which type you are partial to and what your budget allows you, and there are many types of woods to choose including light Oak, and also Mahogany and Cherry stains.

The cost of a good horse saddle stand in Mahogany stain could set you back as much as one hundred seventy-five dollars and it will usually weigh about twenty-two pounds and is what every horse owner would be proud to own. And, if you happen to know anyone that is also a horse riding enthusiast and who owns a horse, then you can always think of gifting a horse saddle stand to them which will be much appreciated and also not all that costly.

There are also different kinds of horse saddle stands and you can choose from log stands, Pony Express stands that make for very handsome displays and which should also be sturdy so that they can easily bear the weight of even the heaviest of saddles, though the saddle stands made from log would be costlier though much more decorative than those made of Mahogany. The Pony Express stand has turned posts that show off class and with a horseshoe is great to use as a bridle hook and the top of the stand allows you to hold more than the saddle and also a roper of good size as well.

So, before choosing a particular horse saddle stand, look about for the most suitable stand as there is plenty to choose from and many interesting ones as well.