Horse riding is becoming more and more affordable and popular. And this is not surprising, because it is difficult to find a more rewarding pastime. Horseback riding is a great way to completely relieve stress and accumulated fatigue, and to improve your physical fitness. But a horse is a living being, and in order to find a common language, one must be able to look after it. First of all, learn how to saddle your horse correctly, it's quite simple.
It is necessary
- - saddle;
- - saddle cloth;
- - props.
Instructions
Step 1
Make sure the horse's back is free of dirt, lumps, scratches or scuffs. Just sweep your palm over the rump to determine it.
Step 2
Place the saddle cloth on the withers as close to the horse's head as possible. Then gently slide it down over the rump. This is done to smooth out the coat. If you put the saddle cloth back in place right away, the fur underneath can wrap up and make the horse uncomfortable while moving.
Step 3
Wrap the girth and stirrups and place them on the saddle. This is to avoid getting the girth under the saddle. In addition, a loose stirrup can slap a horse on the right side of the rump and startle.
Step 4
Place the saddle on the horse's withers as high as possible, and then gently roll it back so that at least 2 cm of saddle pad protrudes from under the saddle in front. If you accidentally slide the saddle back too far, lift it up and reposition it again. Do not move the saddle on the back of the horse "against the grain".
Step 5
Lower the right stirrup and girth. Pull the girth under the horse's belly to the left side and thread the leather strap from the left side into the girth ring. Make sure the saddle is level and not touching the horse's body in any way. The saddle must rest completely on the saddle cloth.
Step 6
If using a girth, pull the girth through the loop before tightening the girth. There should be a distance equal to the width of the palm between the girth and the horse's shoulder. Otherwise, the girth will press and interfere with movement.
Step 7
Tighten the girth on the left side gradually so as not to scare the horse. Do not overtighten. To check how tight the girth is, slide two fingers under the buckle. They must pass freely. The saddle should fit snugly on the horse's back.
Step 8
If you are using a back girth, tighten it last and not too much. It should not be tight, but rather loose. To prevent it from dangling or shifting into the groin area, attach it to the front girth with a special small strap.
Step 9
Check the front girth again before getting into the saddle. Some horses "pout" during the saddle. Then, when the saddle is already secured, the horse relaxes the abdominal muscles and the girth is loosened.
