Western Saddle Pad and Saddle
- Some horses require special equipment. This is noted above their bridle. If you need help locating this equipment, please ask for assistance.
- Check your horse's bridle rack name card to see if your horse requires any extra pads or girth cover. Check the pad for dirt before putting it on your horse; remove any dirt or shavings with a brush. Place the saddle pad on your horse's back, over the withers.
- Then slide the saddle pad back into position so the hairs of your horse's coat are all lying in the proper direction.
- Lift the saddle, with the cinch and right stirrup across the seat, over your horse's back and set it down gently; it should be back far enough to allow his shoulders to move freely.
- Lift the center of the saddle pad up into the gullet of the saddle at the pommel and cantle to allow for air movement.
- Adjust the right side of the cinch to fit your horse. Move to the left side of your horse, bring the cinch underneath his belly, run the latigo through the cinch ring two or three times.
The Western Bridle
- Unbuckle the halter, drop it off your horse's nose and buckle it around his neck. Untie the lead rope, and put the rope over your horse's neck. Do not let it hang on the ground.
- Put the bridle reins over your horse's head. Hold the bridle in your right hand, with your right arm under your horse's jaw and around his nose.
- Hold the bit in your left hand at your horse's mouth. If he doesn't open his mouth to take the bit, you can slide your thumb into his mouth at the corner and press down on the bars. Slide the bit in when he opens his mouth.
- Make sure the chin strap is under his chin, not in his mouth. If the bridle is a hackamore, there is no mouth piece (bit). Place the crown piece over your horse's ears, right ear first and then left ear, by bringing the ears forward.
- Fasten the throatlatch loosely where his jaw bones meet his neck--you should be able to put four fingers width between his throat and the throatlatch.
Western Tie-Downs
- If your horse requires a tie-down, it goes on before the bridle.
- Slip the tie-down over your horse's nose and place the cheekpieces behind the ears; the strap with the clip goes from the nose band, between your horse's legs and is attached to the ring in the middle of the cinch.
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