In what order do you tack up?

Always saddle first, then bridle. If using a breastplate/martingale (not often) will just undo girth again once bridle is on. I like their backs to have a chance to warm up a little before I get on, also means I can do the girth in slower increments - fairly loose to start, up one after bridle on, up again before get on - which must be nicer for them. :)

With a strange horse I would always tie up before tacking up but our lot usually just stand on the yard. I do make sure the gate is closed first though. :o
 
I put bridle on first, headcollar back on over the top, then saddle with girth done up on the loosest hole. I then do brushing boots, and girth up another hole. Gloves, hat, hi viz for me and then girth up again!!
 
Foxhunter49 said:
10/10 for those that put the bridle on first. The rest would fail ant BHS exam (or PC)
You should put the bridle on first because it gives you more control.
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surely they'd have all failed for not having their hat on and of course hairnet and hacking jacket;)
altho having just checked in my old BHS stable management book it says it is normal to put the saddle on before the bridle!!

If i'm tacking up the well behaved big girl i do bridle first because she has martingale and then i usually put my hat on then her saddle, tighten girth frantically look for mounting step which always gets moved and then i'm up and off:D

If it's the speshull boy then it's hat first for me and saddle first for him so that i can keep lead rope in one hand, he doesn't tie up:rolleyes: then bridle .
 
Bridle first twisting the reins, saddle then boots.

I was always taught bridle first as you have more control and always tack up in the stable.
 
Boots/bandages, saddle, stop to pick out hooves, bridle. Always put the bridle on last if I have a choice, figure he probably doesn't want a bit in any longer than necessary! I use a stud guard so there is a clip for the martingale anyway.
 
Gosh I've never even thought about it!!!!

I think bridle... then again I'm usually talking when I'm tacking up. I have very minimal tack and boots are just too much of a faff and I can never be arsed.

I always tack myself up last though.
 
Gah couldn't edit my post! Was meant to say that the BHS way when I did my exams was martingale/breastplate first, then saddle and bridle last. If the horse is tied up with a headcollar then you don't need to bridle first.
 
I catch the horse, tie it up bla de bla, then put the saddle on but only do the girth up a little way, the head collar then goes round the neck, bridle on, tighten the girth, take off head collar and away we go. For untacking I do the reverse, so re tye head collar round neck, loosen the girth, take off bridle, apply head collar to head, then remove saddle.

Forgot to add I tack myself up first so I'm not left fiddlefarting around afterwards :P
 
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Bridle with martingale attached first then saddle on Ebs and bridle then saddle on Bella. Neither wear boots but if they did they would be put on last
 
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Foxhunter49 said:
10/10 for those that put the bridle on first. The rest would fail ant BHS exam (or PC)
You should put the bridle on first because it gives you more control.
Click to expand...

But BHS exams focus on handling horses in a professional situation where you don't know the animal. I have to say that my own horses are trained to stand nicely, and to be easy to control in a headcollar. We also tack up in an enclosed area. I put the saddle on first because I prefer not to leave any of my horses standing for any length of time with the bridle on. They can rub their noses against the tie bar and get the bit caught on string/against the bar, put their heads down as far as they'll go and toss the reins over etc. In a situation where you might have to wait a little for someone else to get ready, I prefer to tie mine up with hay, put on saddle and boots, and wait. Horse/pony is then happy waiting, safe and I can help the other rider if needed/make feeds for our return etc. Once we're ready to go, bridle on and we're off. With a young/iffy horse who hasn't learnt manners yet or where the area isn't enclosed, I have put the bridle on over the headcollar (remove noseband first) and ridden out like that. Much easier as there's no faffing while you swap the two over when you could potentially lose the horse.
 
I;m currently doing the BHS HOC and was told that you put the saddle on first in order for the horse's back to adjust before you ride it, so you have the girth done up loosely, then apply bridle, then tighten the girth and get on. Likewise when you finish, loosen the girth then take bridle off, then unstrap the girth completely and take the saddle off, will consult my Bible me thinks.
 
I put the saddle on first followed by plenty of swearing at pony to stop breathing out so I can get it on the first hole :rolleyes: I then put my boots on then do the girth up one. Then ponys boots and girth up another one. Finally the bridle and girth up another one then pop my hat on and grab a stick and off we go, check the girth after a few mins to see if it needs to go up again. If we have gone out in the trailer then his bridle goes on before he is unloaded and his headcollar goes back on top to tie him up outside, as he was once left to a friend to put his bridle on and he pulled back then ran away round the lorry park so he is not trusted.
 
Boots
Bridle
Saddle
Then me

I have to put boots on first...I hate booting up so if I didn't do them first I would convenientely forget to put them on!
 
horse boots on.

then saddle on (and martingale/breastplate if needed).

then my hat and, if needed, my spurs.

then bridle on.

then my gloves.
 
I'd do bridle first if horse wasn't tied up, and used to do this. Our young mare gets quite impatient to get going and is also a one for rubbing her face and being nosey so she is tied up and bridle goes on last to avoid trashing it or her injuring herself.
 
Had to stop to think lol

Martingale/breastplate; then

Bridle; then

Saddle; then

Boots; then

My gear on; then

Check girth again;

The exercise sheet if we're hacking; then

Check girth again; then

Climb on board.
 
Usually boots, saddle and then bridle last thing just before I get on. If the horse has a martingale then I do put the bridle on before the saddle.
 
Please! Please! To all of you that say you put the headcollar round their neck - STOP! I have seen a horse break its neck because of this. Tried to pull back, panicked and nothing broke except the poor horse's neck. It is an absolute no-no. As is tying up with the rope attached to the bit. Always bridle first - I have seen too many saddles damaged when horses have made a run for it when having the bridle put on.
 
I always got told from a very early age bridle first than saddle and iv always stuck to this. And after dealing with horses with issues for some years now I would never saddle a horse without a bridle on first for better control if need be
 
If its my horse over reach boots then exercise boots, saddle get myself ready ie hat spurs etc then his bridle. If its any other horse always put their bridle on first
 
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