How to Saddle a Horse Western Style

Western-style riding requires a slightly different way of saddling a horse. Learn how to saddle a horse for Western-style riding properly from a horseback riding instructor in this equestrian video.

[@JohnGarcia-tb2mp]

I really like your video, good step by step. However, it would be great to see the cinching process. Your standing in front of the process. Thanks

[@jbl8916]

Could really see what u were doing stand in way of straps

[@pvtryan9637]

This is gonna sound weird probably but I came here cause I had a dream last night I was going riding with some friends on horseback, and in the dream I didn't know how to tie the saddle (although I've done it before in real life). So then in the dream I went on youtube to quickly look up some instructional videos on how to do it, but there was nothing but clickbait videos with pictures of saddles in thumbnails leading to videos about random stuff, lol. I don't even live in the country or own any horses, or know anyone who does. Thanks for proving my wacky dream wrong, haha. Gosh, I miss riding horseback in the countryside so much!

[@markgriegojewelry]

I don't think I'm the first person to say this , I couldn't see a thing you did on the front strap.. please help

[@meganmoore8117]

"Tenting" the pad is when you bring up the front of the pad (over the withers) before tightening the girth or cinch to snug into the saddle. This stops it being tight over the withers, thus uncomfortable and rubbing.

[@i0dare0you]

I needed this little refresher, I forgot a few things! Very helpfull and clear video :)

[@coloradomountainman8659]

I know we all have ways we like to do things but here are a couple pointers from my perspective: Always, always check the underside of your pad by brushing with your hand to search for any burrs, twigs, or other things that might irritate the horse. After the initial tightening of the girth strap, always check that the "d" ring in the center of the strap falls to the center of the horse's sternum. FYI: We frequently saddle our mounts from the right side. Saves a trip around the horse to get to the girth and flank straps as well as the breast collar and helps to mentally balance the horse. After the initial tightening of the girth strap, I always either leave the end of the strap dangling or I flip the fender and stirrup up onto the saddle. This reminds me that I have not yet done a final tightening on the cinch. (Northern Colorado Rocky Mountains)

[@FoxAngel16]

I haven't saddled western in a long time. Thank you for the reminder.

[@kaylatorosian5591]

Everyone saying you couldn’t see anything, what are you talking about? I could see what she was doing prefects fine, and she was instructing it the whole time, maybe listen next time! I’m a western rider and literally just watching this video for fun, and it’s still pretty educational!!

[@CountyClaire]

That is why you didn't have any problems...you are experienced at Western. It's very good....but I needed to see the way the straps are done. There is a lot of tack to become acquainted with when you are working with kids and adults with disabilities.

[@fastfurious9489]

Rode cattle, worked a ranch, and played polo, always buckled, and then double thru on the top ring. Also all of our saddles had the extended cinch so that the buckle had leather on it between the buckle and the cinch....One time riding and the buckle comes loose you will learn this lesson, when I was young and starting out did not do this. Buckle broke, saddle rotated, I went under horse, horse went down I got kicked in the shoulder...luckily big bruise and cut skin...............

[@danielmersch6717]

Good job of obstructing our view of the cinching

[@pvtryan9637]

What? You don't know how to put a belt on? It's just a strap and buckle, dude. Once you figure out the rest it's a cinch. Lol

[@mollyobrien2959]

​@pvtryan9637 if you're doing a video about cinching, it would be helpful to not be in the way. Staring at her butt doesn't actually help.

[@RadarRecon]

I've saddled a horse once in my life, about 45 years ago, and I'm still not sure I did it right. I couldn't see how you secured the front cinch because you were hiding it.

[@user-qr8ki8ue4i]

Yup. Two thumbs down to the person filming this.

[@mordmil10]

thanks. this video is very helpful.my grandpa's teaching me how to ride western and i haven't ridden a horse since i was 4 years old so this was very helpful :)

[@calebmoore7007]

Haven’t saddled a horse since I was 8 I am 20 now and I am thinking about getting back into horses

[@Paigyypoo]

You should go for it! I used to ride and recently got back into it, it’s awesome!

[@morganearp7294]

thanks for uploading this it really helped me learn. great video.

[@Equinelover12]

Good job it really helped some problems i have had and just one tip to make your horse more comfortable for riding is before you do up the cinch take your hand at the front of the saddle pad and make a little pocket to give the shoulkders more room to move and create no pressure points

[@nikkicastevens4749]

I was tought to never use the buckle on the girth, the buckle can break I wrap it around at the top. of the loop.

[@hors3crazy]

This really helped me, thank you :) ! I ride english so when I wanted to go on a trail ride with my horse I never knew how to do up the western saddle ! :) its really easy, thanks ! :D

[@leevandeweyer1996]

when you put the pad on always put it higher and than lower it, so the hair doesnt get unnatural if you know what i mean

[@AnimalLeftist]

Making sure the saddle pad is pulled up well into the gullet of the pommel. It ensures that the pad doesn't press on the withers as you ride, and gives the best air circulation, too.

[@unafraid7628]

Looks easy enough... I believe I'm ready to give it a go.

[@Gecko1265]

this is a very good instructional video for those who are just learning about riding tack and horse grooming! I reccomend this video to anyone!!!! =)

[@jilldevinesolliday3764]

Just repeating what others have mentioned. Demonstator stood in front of what she was doing the whole time and blocked what she was trying to teach. Verbal explanations were great.

[@maxi2odie]

this helps me alot with my horse at the farm that i am breaking so that i know how to proporly put on the saddle thz again:)

[@supersoundninja]

i love horses tails... i couldn't help but watch it the entire time

[@MrMandypants64]

Beautiful Horse!

[@TheGoldenhorsey]

Thanks i had no idea how to saddle a horse western!!!

[@birdsrneat]

guys she is a professional she knows what she is doing....

[@CanisLupus123]

Horses Are Awesome!

[@orcas12]

lol the horse is all "back off!" great vid btw!

[@viralwolfdogs2181]

i love horses

[@Infinty-Sounds]

Excellent lesson thanks

[@mordmil10]

that horse is a beauty :)

[@ChevyGuy-kx7im]

I am sure you have brushed your horse first to ensure there is no dirt. or burrs that would hurt the horse on the trail but for a demonstration it should have been mentioned for beginners watching. I would also move the pad and blanket on the withers so if you need to adjust it you don't pull it forward against the natural lay of the hair....other than these two points good video...

[@nikkidrake5696]

great job

[@AnimalLeftist]

I mean, in addition to your comment, that when you START your ride, there is a gap between the pad and the horses' wither. This helps air move through the gullet, helping to keep the back cooler. The pad is pulled up INTO the gullet of the saddle. As you ride, the pad will gradually settle lower, and the longer you ride, the lower the pad goes. It's important to remove and re-set your saddle every few hours, too, on long rides or after hard work. Hope this helps one horse be more comfy!!

[@randoblack8871]

When you first started, your mount stamped his hooves. Does that mean he wasn't crazy about the saddling?

[@NavvyMom]

Flies

[@cryptoblock802]

Such an informative video

[@karlaclaywalker7664]

You forgot to say to pull up the blanket because the saddle slides it down. But nw I know how to saddle a horse!

[@haileighblanchard5839]

I haven’t rode in almost two years and I’m getting to ride today and I forgot how to put the girth on the saddle

[@maryjaneheberer7687]

Same thing for me ! I hadn't ridden in 3 years and just began riding a friend's horse using my old saddle. I coudn't remember exactly how I wrapped the cinch and buckled it. I wish I could practice while watching the video. Also, couldn't see the process because the lady was blocking the view!

[@hawaiianpony]

@Elfinesmom Yeah, I used to think it only meant for english riders, but I was really wrong! ANywho, happy trails and ride on!

[@hagedl28]

@129familyguy and I don´t think u knew that the western saddle is coming from Hungary. (The huns had these saddles) (maybe u even dont know where Hungary is, but I hope yes)

[@xStreetGangstaX]

@FeliciaL2287 Actually, the horse is relaxed. When a horse is relaxed their ears can as well be layed back and their body is also relaxed. And if she didn't want the saddle on her, she would have either kicked, tried to bite, or move her head (bobbed) in any way of being annoyed.

[@duggersd]

This is a nice, informative video. However, she should consider standing to the side a little or moving the camera to a different angle when she is showing the process of wrapping the cinch.

[@ThePonta88]

that saddle is an SRS ranch cutting saddle. i have the same saddle!

[@jaromejacksan6934]

Go to woodprix if you'd like to build it yourself.

[@LAequines]

THANK YOU. You are my hero. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Poor smashed withers. :(

[@trentonbiggs4907]

okay we get it!

[@xxBlackVeilBridexx]

@CJacklover if you're close enough to the horses behind, it can't kick you. the ranch i work at has numerous stallions and you know how they can be. Just keep your hand on the butt and walk around it. But obviously, if you're walking up from behind it's gonna spook. ya know? God Bless. :)

[@myhorsecharm1686]

@ThePalomino83 it doesnt look fine it should be tighter

[@7572kaitlin]

in my opinion this video isnt a good tutorial on how to saddle western o_o

[@jesusislord4410]

MrPerfect1986 His comment is 6 years old, give the dead man a break

[@L·̊-k3d]

@@jesusislord4410 LMFAO

[@lilyworcester7934]

LARRY FEELS 7

[@Literally_DeadpooI]

@MrPerfect1986 r/woooooooooosh

[@pineapple4194]

My bad, looking for the Minecraft version

[@sofiavasquez8129]

That's wired

[@ainemairead4542]

About how far away from the front legs should the cinch rest😀

[@mikagiddings1610]

Actually it is just a mare who has had a few foals so it looks like she is a boy it was the same with our old horse.

[@7ajhubbell]

Thanks.

[@those2equinegals846]

It's a bucking cinch not a flank cinch

[@miraculousladynoir7719]

Your horse is beautiful

[@jaereyes4683]

um i have a horse named blaze well he been having trouble in the pasture with a stallion in the pasture.The stallion has been biting him what should i do if the bites get real bad?

[@Miarije]

I'm not english, do you mean putting the pad up high, and then sliding it down so the hair lays naturally? because that is really important indeed. did you mean that or something else?

[@ThePonta88]

Is that saddle an SRS ranch cutting saddle? Because if it is, i have right the same saddle, among the others

[@La_Callie]

Tent your dang saddle pad.

[@Opalbird1]

Blocked the whole demonstration with her body so I still don't know what she did with the straps and buckles. I was taught to slide the pad down from the withers so as not to jam the hairs backwards

[@clarataylor]

you can go to my channel next time I rid I will do a saddling up video and explain how to do it

[@evamcknight6474]

umm I ride Western and I do a knot so the saddle does not move I do not use the buckle because I have had near misses with the cinch coming undone.

[@shendadenise94]

What happened to the western knot?

[@danielromack3869]

shendadenise94 it’s called a latigo knot it works just as good as the buckle

[@animalLuverify]

I have the same halter for my mare(:

[@karenpaice8933]

The only problem is I can't see what you're doing when you put on the front cinch, you're standing in front of it

[@King2Julian]

hello! i have a little problem with my western saddle and my saddle cloth...the thing is that the saddle cloth moves backwards when the horse start to move on.can you give me an advice,please?? :) thank you very much!

[@Steffiklein]

@SilverHorse666 what's wrong about that?

[@BarrelsPolesandJack]

It's called a FLANK cinch, not a bucking cinch. There's a huge difference.

[@those2equinegals846]

BlueBlazesWildcat it's a bucking cinch

[@harleyrichardson125]

No its not

[@jeremyhigdon3402]

Do I have to dress western as well.

[@LifeIzaBattlefeild]

Personally I saddle my horse a little different.. My saddle doesn't have a sinch for the bucking strap so I don't have to do it. But I didn't happen to see you do your Texas T. I always do it for extra safety. Falling off a horse is sooooooo not fun!

[@UserParticipant-o1r]

She keeps getting in the way of the video!

[@jlf1309]

On these videos I don't see anyone using a cinch knot. Why is that?

[@horsecracker66]

Shes a pretty horse , What breed is she??

[@pattywilliams3568]

I can’t see what you are doing with the front cinch.

[@thebackyardangler]

@ThePalomino83 yeaah some like to double up, others use one pad.. your right. totally optional. :) ahah that was an old comment.

[@karah0bug]

@angelpaws123 its mare with a foal u can see the teets

[@dariaharruff7025]

i take riding lessons that requires me to use a bit that's how i was taught how to ride a horse western style thats the general rules before i get on the horse

[@johnkebbel3761]

In a video demonstration of something, you shouldn’t block what you’re doing with your body, which she does for both cinches.

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

Impossible to see what she actually was doing with the cinch when she's standing in front. I'm familiar with saddling but a beginner wouldn't have a clue

[@populargsquad9449]

As said previously…could not see what was being done. Also, not prefaced for new riders to not just walk behind any horse.

[@Tacticaldino813]

I couldn't see wat u done with the front strap at all

[@llamanation5215]

Bullet Bender1100 well its actually not very hard....you should be able to do it with simple instructions....you dont really need the back one anyways, its only there is you have a untamed horse....so when it bucks the back of the saddle doesnt come up and flip you off. Bassically you wrap the front gurt on it you go through the bottom loop and then to the top loop careful not you get it twisted. And you continue that. Dont for get to tighten it though. You also need to walk the horse before riding, to see if the saddle with loosen. Because when the horse is being saddled it tends to hold its breathe and therefore makes it loosened up. I hope that that helped you.

[@llamanation5215]

Bullet Bender1100 also you always keep your hands on yourhorse at all times to not accidentally sneak up and freak them outm

[@scarytoast6582]

.... heh I’m really late... I was 1 when this vid came out

[@xxBlackVeilBridexx]

@MsCountrygal18 it's a good thing she knows her horse isn't it?

[@lindarichmondful]

I wanted to see how to put on a saddle & even more so how to do up the cinches.. I saw nothing I didn't already know.

[@thebackyardangler]

umm, we put the thin pad underneathe, than the thicker pad? :S wierd

[@lilahferguson3493]

Ok but how do you saddle a horse Eastern style?

[@CristalcatXP]

aah! thank you!

[@kaileemarie4918]

That camera man... oh boy..

[@charlie16866]

ikr!!!

[@SkyCabin6]

@MsCountrygal18 and @Jakethesnake014 and a bunch of other people The first thing I learned about horses too was never walk behind them... UNLESS YOU DO IT RIGHT. I also learned not to go under their neck, seeing as I did that once and my horse decided to knee me. Hard.

[@marleneconnelly6825]

You blocked part of the saddle set up

[@Ardusv]

The way this horse is saddled anyone weighing over 125 pounds would slide the saddle over the side of the horse when trying to get on. This saddle is not tight enough. I have ridden most of my life and take great pride in my horsemanship. I prefer using a half windsor type knot to hold the saddle in place. I have had the leather strap split during a long trail ride and had the saddle slide off the side of the horse. I never trust the buckle as this has happened to me twice with good equipment.

[@haleyarnold269]

couldn't see what she was doing..😞

[@sayrah1290]

they arent pinned at all theres a massive difference between a stressed horse with crazy eyes and pinned ears and a relaxed calm trustworthy horse keeping theyre ears on you listening to you. its a sign the horse respects her and is paying attention to her.

[@HitsOutdoors]

The purpose of an instructional VIDEO is so people can SEE what you are doing...

[@butter92497]

Maybe if you did not block the camera we could see how it’s really done!

[@maggsm3392]

I know this was years ago but I can't see what you're doing properly...you're in the way of the CAMERA. I know it was explained but I would have liked to see the wrapping properly. I'm a slow learner and need to see everything.

[@JoseSolis-qv6es]

can you bring a saddle

[@kymberlybergevain]

this is a mare, guys. this lady is an expert, im sure she knows the difference between a gelding and a mare! lol