How do I saddle my horse properly?

Correctly saddling your horse is an important part of riding. A badly placed saddle can cause pain and injury to the horse, and can also make riding uncomfortable for the rider.

Our Arion experts give you their advice on how to make sure your saddle is right for you and your horse!

How to saddle my horse properly, the different steps :

Here are the steps to follow to saddle your horse properly:

1. Choose the right saddle. The saddle must be adapted to the horse's size and morphology. It must also be in good condition and clean.
2. Place the rug. The rug should be placed on the horse's back to protect the skin from rubbing by the saddle.
3. Place the saddle. The saddle should be placed on the horse's back, so that the withers are free (this is called "degarroter"). The quarters of the saddle should be parallel to the ground.
4. Fasten the strap on both sides and adjust it. It should be adjusted to hold the saddle in place, but not too tight. The saddle should not move when the horse moves.
5. Check the saddle. Once the saddle is in place, check that it fits properly and doesn't cause the horse any pain. If the saddle doesn't fit properly, you can always call on one of our sadlle fitters to come to your stables and check your equipment.

Don't forget to saddle your horse properly!

Check the condition of the saddle and accessories.
Before saddling your horse, make sure that the saddle and accessories are in good condition, for your safety and that of your horse. The saddle should fit snugly on the horse's back and not be damaged. Stirrups should be securely fastened to the horse's back, using the knives provided, and straps should be in good condition.

Preparing your horse.
Before saddling your horse, it's important to prepare him. Brush him to remove any dirt or debris that could irritate his skin.

Placing the saddle.
Once the horse is ready, you can start placing the saddle. Always stand on the horse's left side. Align the saddle with the horse's back and lay it down gently. Make sure the saddle is well positioned on the horse's back and not resting on the bones.
Does your horse try to bite you, put his ears back, refuse the saddle on his back? It could be that the saddle isn't right for him and is hurting his back. Contact your expert, who will visit you to check that it's right for him!

Attaching the girth.
Now that your saddle is correctly positioned on your horse's back, you can attach the girth. Start by adjusting the girth on the right-hand side, then tighten it evenly on the left-hand side. Be careful not to over-tighten! You can re-strap after you've relaxed (again, it's not necessary to over-tighten).

Checking the saddle.
Once the saddle is in place, it's important to check it. Make sure the saddle fits snugly on the horse's back.

Our tips for saddling your horse.

• Always be calm and patient when saddling your horse.
• Use the right equipment, such as a clean saddle pad and the right size girth.
• Place the saddle correctly on the horse's back.
• Fasten the strap evenly and not too tightly.
• Position the stirrups at peg height.
• Check your saddle regularly.

A few mistakes to avoid when saddling your horse.

• Use dirty or damaged equipment.
• Place the saddle too far forward or too far back.
• Strap the saddle too tightly.
• Fasten the strap evenly and not too tightly.
• Do not check that the saddle fits properly.

If you're not sure how to saddle your horse properly, ask a professional for advice.

Discover our range of new and used saddles.

Would you like to buy the saddle of your dreams, adapted to your horse's morphology and yours?
Discover our Arion Sellier saddle ranges: jumping, dressage or cross-country.

Don't have the budget for our 100%-adapted saddles? Discover the Atlas by Arion range of half-measure saddles! 

We also offer a great selection of second-hand saddles that can be paid for up to 3 times free of charge. 

If you're not sure... Call one of our experts. They'll know what to do!

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