Putting a saddle on for the first time

[Bettyboo222]

I am getting ready to put a saddle on a 4 1/2 year old that I am working with, she has been calmly lunging and longreing with a roller now for 4/5 months (took it really slow with her) and we are at a stage where I think a saddle would be appropriate. I am planning on using a hi-lite elite as it is self adjusting as well as being quite light, when I have assisted with backing and training before that is what we've used.

However I'm in a bit of a dilemma - I would like to put a breast girth on with the saddle just in case she decides to rear or anything just to minimise any risk of it slipping back and making her first experience a negative one, but another part of my mind is telling me that it would be pointless as the saddle shouldn't slip.

So my question is - Would you use a breast girth or not?

 

[EnduroRider]

Well it wont do any harm...

 

[simplyhunting]

We always use one, not worth not doing it, typically it'd be the day you don't that the saddle slips! And then you have the trouble of sorting out a horse with a negative experience of a saddle slipping in its first time. Much less hassle to pop one on in the first place

 

[AdorableAlice]

Always use a breast girth.

I have an ancient one made of elastic with a leather strap over the neck, that I also use with the breaking roller. Young horses really don't want anything slipping back or sideways and turning into a bucking strap.

Months and months of hard work can be destroyed in seconds with slipping tack frightening the youngster.

 

[Bettyboo222]

I may get one then just in case anyone have any suggestions for good ones?

 

[AdorableAlice]

Just a cheapy for the breaking process. I had mine made so it fitted all the horses. It is just 3 inch doubled over elastic around the chest, a leather strap over the neck and leather straps each end of the elastic with buckles so it can be made as large or as small as needed. It also has a leather loop to enable a standing or running martingale to be fitted to it. It can be fitted onto a roller or any type of saddle.

Your saddler should be able to knock one up for you for less than £25.00.

When the horse is going out to parties you can buy him something smarter.

 

[Bettyboo222]

She won't be going out to ridden parties for a good while! Thanks for your idea, I like the idea of it being adjustable

 

[Tnavas]

Always with a young horse! Once upon a long time ago I witnessed the antics of my youngster after the roller slid back on her day rug - a bucking maniac in her stable!

ever since then I've always used a breast girth when breaking any horse. I just have a very basic elasticated one with snap clips on it so I can put it on quickly and easily.

Really not worth the risk