Fitting A Saddle
Tacking Up A Horse

Fitting A Saddle To A Horse - Tacking Up
Correct tacking up procedure is essential to ensure comfort for your horse and safety for the rider.

First, ensure that the horse is tied up and has been thoroughly groomed, as any patches of mud will cause rubbing and sores.
Then check that the saddle has a numnah, girth, stirrup irons and leathers and has had all stitching checked so that you know it is safe to be used and is the correct saddle for the horse and for the purpose you will be requiring it for.
Then with the saddle placed over your left arm with the pommel at the front and the cantle at the back go up to the near side of the horse, place your right hand towards the rear of the saddle so that it can be easily lifted and gently placed upon the horses back with the pommel just over the end of the withers.
Check that the numnah is flat and still lying under the saddle then gently slide the whole saddle back an inch or two until it sits snugly in place,be careful not to pull the saddle back so far so that it sits on the loins but so that it remains on the strongest part of the back.
Then proceed to the horses offside again checking that the numnah has been pulled smooth and also pull it up so that it is high in the gullet and giving plenty of clearance then check that the girth buckles have been positioned on the first and third girth straps and place the girth so that it hangs down from the saddle and rests by the horses off fore.

Then go to the near side and bring the girth up to the girth straps on the near side of the saddle again fastening them to the first and third straps with the girth tight enough not to allow the saddle to slip until you are ready to mount, when it may be done up further.
If you are fitting an over girth it is positioned to lye across the seat of the saddle and over the saddle flap being secured under the horse by threading it through where the loop of a martingale joins the girth, as this will keep it well out of the way of interfering with horse or rider.
A seat saver can be fitted either before or after you have tacked up, it is secured in place by straps that do up under the saddle flap.
If you are fitting a gel pad i find it easiest to place the numnah on first then the gel pad then the saddle, this ensures you have them all in the right place.
If you are fitting a martingale then you place this over the horses head then fit your saddle.
When it comes time to bring the girth up to the near side girth straps you need to thread the girth through the loop on the martingale so that it sits centrally, and then do up the girth straps.
If you are fitting a breastplate you next fasten the leather straps through the D rings. A well fitting breastplate will allow for a hand span width to be fitted over the wither and between the strap and the horses chest.