How do you tack up?

Saddle on, then the bridle, then do the girth up, or sometimes the bridle then put saddle on, I dont really think about it much.
 
I was just thinking this yesterday when all the livery's (me included) were tacking up for a hack. Everyone has a routine that's different. I would feel very odd doing it differently, I think the routine helps with confidence too.

I do breastplate, saddle (with girth very loose), sort myself out, then tighten girth a bit more, bridle last and away (tighten girth again before getting on, after getting on, after walked up to school / up drive).

When I got him he hated the girth and blew himself out like a balloon (I suspect it had been yanked up viciously), so I'm treating him like a cold-backed horse and doing the girth up very gradually to get him out of the habit.

Always bridle last, for same reason as Alimac19. He loves to scratch his head if left for a moment, and it's not great if the bridle's on it at the time! Bridle is always off first when we get back because he always sticks his head in the water trough as soon as we get back and I don't want it getting wet.
 
I always do saddle first on my ponies except for when I'm going to jump the little chap, he has a martingale for jumping so then it's bridle first. But always take saddle off before bridle.
 
I put boots on first then the bridle, then breastplate on then saddle.
And always take boots off first when I come back, then saddle and then the breastplate and bridle.
 
Always bridle first for me. As I was always taught this, as if a horse managed to get loose you wouldn't want them loose with the most expensive piece of tack on. Just what I was always told!
 
Bridle, saddle then boots
much easier with my guy as you can't tie him up and if you try and put the saddle on first more often then not he'll naff off to the back of the stable whereas if hes already got his bridle on he stands like an angel, well ish!
 
I have never thought much about this but I have a very definite routine! Always boots, breastplate, saddle, my hat, gather gloves/whip etc, tighten girth another hole each side, then bridle. For some reason I dont like seeing horses tacked up with bridles on waiting patiently for their rider to faff - no idea why though, I am a strange girl.

I untack in a totally random order though, depending on how hard she's trying to rub her face on the wall/me/other people.
 
Boots, headcollar off, bridle with martingale, saddle, girth up, walk in a circle, girth up again. Gloves and hat on, mount. Have to put the bridle on first as I tack up in the field, not the stable. Dismount, boots off, saddle, walk back into field, bridle off.
 
I put saddle on first, with girth very loose, then put hi-viz boots on all round, while tightening girth slowly, one hole a a time. Go into house to collect hat, hi-viz vest, change into riding boots. Go back to stable where horse is eating small amount of hay untied. Take her out of hay, put on bridle (need to unfasten girth to do martingale), tighten girth, lead out, collect whip which is waiting by the door, lead to mounting block, pull stirrups down, mount, tighten girth, give treat, put gloves on and set off.
I always like to leave saddle to warm up as have had horses in the past who objected to being saddled, when we first got them.
I take saddle off first, then bridle and boots last as I brush her off.
 
Boots on first, then saddle and then bridle
smile.gif
 
When I first read your post I thought I was doing the wrong thing lol but feel better now as there are lots that do the same. I do boots first, then saddle, then get myself ready and bridle last.
smile.gif
 
Wierd I was taught the saddle should always go on first and come off last reason being that saddle should be on for 20 mins to warm up on back before riding (in fact 30 mins in winter) and when you have finished loosen girth and take saddle off last to allow back to cool down. Also pat back muscles after saddle removed for circulation.
 
I groom then (put effol on hoof in summer only) put boots on and then tack up as follows;

if im using dressage saddle with martingale i put bridle on first then saddle because of the loop martingale.

if im using dressage saddle without martingale saddle goes on first then bridle.

if im using jumping saddle with BP/martingale then saddle goes on first and the bridle

if im using jumping/gp with martingale then bridle goes on first because of loop martingale
 
Lol Princess Spark1e, that's pretty much my routine too. Ah the joy of cold backs.

Oh but then according to a lot of people they don't exist. I'd like to see what they had to say if they tried getting on my mare too quickly!
 
Last Night? With great difficulty as horse was being a get and was 'scared' of something so kept turning round and trying to squish me against the wall!! I always put saddle on first as horse is tied up, then put on bridle,

Also take saddle off first as have bridle to keep hold of horse with and generally he is chucked out in the field. Not sure about the whole 'back adjusting' theory, never heard that one! Mine just goes out and has a good roll!
smile.gif
 
Blimey, never heard of that one about the saddle
crazy.gif
Maybe thats why I've been unlucky in life
crazy.gif
lol!

I change from time to time, but generally put the saddle on first and then the bridle as that was how I was taught about 100 years ago
wink.gif
 
unlike you guys i am so unorganised, i just grab what it handy (after grooming obviously) if i'm waiting for someone else i leave the bridle till last because i don't like to leave her with a bit in for ages.
 
Horse's bandages/boots, then my boots, saddle, bridle. I always tack up tied up outside the stable so that's the easiest way to do it. Don't use a martingale.
 
Groom
Breast plate
Saddle
Boots
Take up some slack on the girth
Put my chaps on
Tighten girth a bit
My hat and gloves
Bridle
Final girth tighten
 
[ QUOTE ]

Oh but then according to a lot of people they don't exist. I'd like to see what they had to say if they tried getting on my mare too quickly!

[/ QUOTE ]

My vet was one of those people! When he could find absolutely nothing wrong with my horse he said it must be behavioural
confused.gif
but I don't think it's a bad routine to give a horse a bit of time to relax with the saddle on before girthing up. I never have my girth 'tight' I can easily pull it away from the horse's side and it has a full elastic insert for her comfort
laugh.gif
 
QR Wow we all seem to def have our own way of doing it!! I hope I havent alarmed anyone saying its unlucky saddle 1st etc. Its just the way ive always done it!!
grin.gif

Perhaps im more superstitious than i thought!!
grin.gif
blush.gif
 
Groom
Saddle on with girth fastened very loosely
Front boots
Tighten girth another hole
Back boots
Tighten girth another hole and do legs stretches
Bridle
Put on my hat and lead out to mounting block
Final tighten of girth and mount

When we come back:-

Dismount and loosen girth
Run stirrups up leathers
Lead into box and remove bridle
Remove saddle and finally remove boots


Didn't know there was any superstitions about saddling though
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top