Saddling for the first time

~Sarah~ · 02-08-2006, 07:18 PM

Hey HGS-I don't post or anything too often anymore...but I just wanted a little advice. This weekend we will be putting the saddle on Jack for the first time. My trainer won't be able to help due to some stuff...so any suggestions/helpful hints that will help it go smoothly? He is already used to a surcingle and a saddle pad...so we shall see! Thanks guys.

jmprgrl · 02-08-2006, 07:42 PM

when we saddled my horse for the first time we let him smell the saddle first to let him see that there is nothing to to be scared of. then slowly move it along his shoulder then to his back and gently put it on him so that it doesnt startle him.

HorseGentler · 02-08-2006, 07:49 PM

Don't introduce the saddle right away. Maybe put it on a rack nearby where he can see it, and get a good idea of what it is. You always have to put yourself in your horse's shoes. Try to visualize what he is thinking. That saddle could be a big, scary monster that is in disguise for all he knows. First just get him used to the saddle pad. Rub it al over his body, but don't over do it. If you starts to get scared, just back off for a minute and let him revive himself.

Let him smell the saddle. Usually if you let them smell it, they will become a little more brave and understanding. They can remember smells for a long time, and doing this will relax him. Horses can sense danger in the air, and if you show them it's harmless, they will understand right away.

Make sure you don't throw the saddle around too much. Gently set it on his back and adjust it. make it comfortable. He might be a little nervous with the pressure on his back, but just talk to him gently and reassure him. Normally, they might spook at the cinch tightening around their bellys, but do it slowly. Maybe even rub him on the belly to let him know that something is coming. Slowly tighten it, but not too much... I'm pretty sure you get my drift. Just be patient and do things slow. Doing things too fast may get a horse all jumpy, and doing so can hurt you or the horse. BE CAREFUL... PUT YOURSELF INTO THE HORSE'S SHOES. YOU ARE HIS FRIEND. =)

spanish horses · 02-08-2006, 09:50 PM

yea what horse gentler said was good. also when you put the saddle on tacke it off again , do this for a bit so the horse is comfortable with the motion of it and the fact that when it goes on its back it does come off again, then slowly do up the girth, dont have it tight though just enough to hold the saddle in place.

Dressage Chick · 02-09-2006, 02:14 AM

As everyone says let him get used to it without him being on his back first, and take it all slowly you don`t want to rush it because you might end up with him losing his trust in you. Also if he wants to buck with it on, which is quite possible, turn him out in an enclosed Corral or Round pen and let the energy escape, that way you shouldn`t have any high jinx`s next time he wears it, and he`ll concerntrate better.

BklynCwgrl · 02-09-2006, 06:04 AM

According to Clinton Anderson...you really shouldn't go that slowly. If you act like it's something to be afraid of, then they will be afraid. He said to do things at regular speed...and when the horse moves away, follow him around. He said to rub the saddle all over the horse, put the saddle on, take it off...several times. Much like you desensitize a horse to anything. If you've done your ground work correctly, your horse already trusts you, and won't freak out. I'm assuming that you did all the other desensitizing exercises...rubbing your horse all over...putting some weight on his back...etc etc. My experience with my young horse was that, after her initial wide eyed "what the heck are you doing to me" look, she accepted the saddle pad and saddle quite easily. If you did your initial training properly, I think you'll be pleasently surprised! Let us know.

Dressage Chick · 02-09-2006, 06:22 AM

It`s probably different depending on the horse, my 1 had been fine coping with new stuff at a regular pace, but my other 3 have needed time to adapt to new things such as a saddle. The 1 that coped at a faster pace was the least laid back out of them all.

JBandRio · 02-09-2006, 10:08 AM

If you have been working on putting things on, under, over, through your horse, his legs, etc, then the saddle should be no big deal.

He should allow you to put tarps and ropes all over him, over his back, draped under his belly, pulled between his legs. If he does, the saddle is no different.

People forget about desensitizing the legs and other parts of the body, and then get into REAL trouble when the saddle slips, or the stirrups flap against his side, or a vine rubs against his legs, or whatever. It should be NO BIG DEAL to have things brushing up against him.

As Bkln said - don't act like he might be scared of what you are doing/going to be doing. Do things as you normally would. Predators creep up on a horse - don't act like a predator

This goes to getting on for the first time too. Once you've made certain that he's ok with extra weight on his back, and things above him (many folks forget this part - make sure he's ok with things above his head!!!), then just get on. Bump his butt with your leg (he's desensitized for that, remember

) and get on. Don't creep up, don't make extra certain to not bump him, get on sort of clumsily.

The last thing you want in all this is to be ohhhhh sooooo careful in the beginning, as then he will think that's how things should be. Then you either have a bad day, or someone who doesn't pay that careful attention comes around, plops the saddle on his back, heaves themselve up, bumping his butt with their leg, and he starts off all frazzled because things were different.

Shotgun93 · 02-09-2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BklynCwgrl

According to Clinton Anderson...you really shouldn't go that slowly. If you act like it's something to be afraid of, then they will be afraid. He said to do things at regular speed...and when the horse moves away, follow him around. He said to rub the saddle all over the horse, put the saddle on, take it off...several times. Much like you desensitize a horse to anything. If you've done your ground work correctly, your horse already trusts you, and won't freak out. I'm assuming that you did all the other desensitizing exercises...rubbing your horse all over...putting some weight on his back...etc etc. My experience with my young horse was that, after her initial wide eyed "what the heck are you doing to me" look, she accepted the saddle pad and saddle quite easily. If you did your initial training properly, I think you'll be pleasently surprised! Let us know.

Exactly - if you have done your groundwork properly and you horse is about as desensitized as he can be, then this step shouldn't be an issue. Out of 20+ youngsters we have yet to have one buck at the saddle or rider.
If you act like it's no big deal, then it will be no big deal. Move at normal speed, if the horse moves around, stick with him until he stops moving, then take it away and start again.

BklynCwgrl · 02-09-2006, 10:16 AM

Further to JB's point...The funniest videos I've seen on this topic are from Clinton Anderson and John Lyons. They both get on like they're drunken bums...and lean all over the horse and fall all over the back. John Lyons says...us old folks can't just SPRING into the saddle without touching the horse...so he really drags on that stirrup and saddle while getting on. Not that I'm suggesting you do this on the first mount...but in due time.

02-08-2006, 07:18 PM	#1
~Sarah~ Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 2,202 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 2	Saddling for the first time Hey HGS-I don't post or anything too often anymore...but I just wanted a little advice. This weekend we will be putting the saddle on Jack for the first time. My trainer won't be able to help due to some stuff...so any suggestions/helpful hints that will help it go smoothly? He is already used to a surcingle and a saddle pad...so we shall see! Thanks guys. __________________ "Don't be the rider who gallops all night and never sees the horse that is beneath him." ~Jelaluddin Rumi~

02-08-2006, 09:50 PM	#4
spanish horses Full Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 165	yea what horse gentler said was good. also when you put the saddle on tacke it off again , do this for a bit so the horse is comfortable with the motion of it and the fact that when it goes on its back it does come off again, then slowly do up the girth, dont have it tight though just enough to hold the saddle in place. __________________ Heaven is high and earth wide. If you ride three feet higher above the ground than other men, you will know what that means.

02-09-2006, 10:08 AM	#8
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 32,003 Images: 196 Blog Entries: 12	If you have been working on putting things on, under, over, through your horse, his legs, etc, then the saddle should be no big deal. He should allow you to put tarps and ropes all over him, over his back, draped under his belly, pulled between his legs. If he does, the saddle is no different. People forget about desensitizing the legs and other parts of the body, and then get into REAL trouble when the saddle slips, or the stirrups flap against his side, or a vine rubs against his legs, or whatever. It should be NO BIG DEAL to have things brushing up against him. As Bkln said - don't act like he might be scared of what you are doing/going to be doing. Do things as you normally would. Predators creep up on a horse - don't act like a predator This goes to getting on for the first time too. Once you've made certain that he's ok with extra weight on his back, and things above him (many folks forget this part - make sure he's ok with things above his head!!!), then just get on. Bump his butt with your leg (he's desensitized for that, remember ) and get on. Don't creep up, don't make extra certain to not bump him, get on sort of clumsily. The last thing you want in all this is to be ohhhhh sooooo careful in the beginning, as then he will think that's how things should be. Then you either have a bad day, or someone who doesn't pay that careful attention comes around, plops the saddle on his back, heaves themselve up, bumping his butt with their leg, and he starts off all frazzled because things were different. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173)

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02-08-2006, 07:42 PM	#2
jmprgrl Full Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: usa Posts: 198	when we saddled my horse for the first time we let him smell the saddle first to let him see that there is nothing to to be scared of. then slowly move it along his shoulder then to his back and gently put it on him so that it doesnt startle him.

02-08-2006, 07:49 PM	#3
HorseGentler Full Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 33	Don't introduce the saddle right away. Maybe put it on a rack nearby where he can see it, and get a good idea of what it is. You always have to put yourself in your horse's shoes. Try to visualize what he is thinking. That saddle could be a big, scary monster that is in disguise for all he knows. First just get him used to the saddle pad. Rub it al over his body, but don't over do it. If you starts to get scared, just back off for a minute and let him revive himself. Let him smell the saddle. Usually if you let them smell it, they will become a little more brave and understanding. They can remember smells for a long time, and doing this will relax him. Horses can sense danger in the air, and if you show them it's harmless, they will understand right away. Make sure you don't throw the saddle around too much. Gently set it on his back and adjust it. make it comfortable. He might be a little nervous with the pressure on his back, but just talk to him gently and reassure him. Normally, they might spook at the cinch tightening around their bellys, but do it slowly. Maybe even rub him on the belly to let him know that something is coming. Slowly tighten it, but not too much... I'm pretty sure you get my drift. Just be patient and do things slow. Doing things too fast may get a horse all jumpy, and doing so can hurt you or the horse. BE CAREFUL... PUT YOURSELF INTO THE HORSE'S SHOES. YOU ARE HIS FRIEND. =)

02-09-2006, 02:14 AM	#5
Dressage Chick Full Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I live in the UK in the West Midlands Posts: 235 Images: 9	As everyone says let him get used to it without him being on his back first, and take it all slowly you don`t want to rush it because you might end up with him losing his trust in you. Also if he wants to buck with it on, which is quite possible, turn him out in an enclosed Corral or Round pen and let the energy escape, that way you shouldn`t have any high jinx`s next time he wears it, and he`ll concerntrate better.

02-09-2006, 06:04 AM	#6
BklynCwgrl Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles Posts: 3,696 Images: 17 Blog Entries: 15	According to Clinton Anderson...you really shouldn't go that slowly. If you act like it's something to be afraid of, then they will be afraid. He said to do things at regular speed...and when the horse moves away, follow him around. He said to rub the saddle all over the horse, put the saddle on, take it off...several times. Much like you desensitize a horse to anything. If you've done your ground work correctly, your horse already trusts you, and won't freak out. I'm assuming that you did all the other desensitizing exercises...rubbing your horse all over...putting some weight on his back...etc etc. My experience with my young horse was that, after her initial wide eyed "what the heck are you doing to me" look, she accepted the saddle pad and saddle quite easily. If you did your initial training properly, I think you'll be pleasently surprised! Let us know.

02-09-2006, 06:22 AM	#7
Dressage Chick Full Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I live in the UK in the West Midlands Posts: 235 Images: 9	It`s probably different depending on the horse, my 1 had been fine coping with new stuff at a regular pace, but my other 3 have needed time to adapt to new things such as a saddle. The 1 that coped at a faster pace was the least laid back out of them all.

02-09-2006, 10:16 AM	#10
BklynCwgrl Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles Posts: 3,696 Images: 17 Blog Entries: 15	Further to JB's point...The funniest videos I've seen on this topic are from Clinton Anderson and John Lyons. They both get on like they're drunken bums...and lean all over the horse and fall all over the back. John Lyons says...us old folks can't just SPRING into the saddle without touching the horse...so he really drags on that stirrup and saddle while getting on. Not that I'm suggesting you do this on the first mount...but in due time.