Tacking up

Tie your horse with cross ties, or if you have to, on a hitching post. Always use quick release "slip knots" if tying, and quick release snaps. It is always better to have to chase your horse down than to have the horse get hurt if it gets hung up in the rope.
Brush the horse. This can be a full groom or just brush where the tack is going to go, and pick out the feet. When you groom, check the horse for lumps, bumps, swelling and heat that could mean you horse is unsound. See Related WikiHows.
Put on your helmet. This means you don’t have to get it later and you won’t forget it. If you put it on your head it’ll be out of the way.
Pick up the reins and the top of the bridle in the same hand and put them over your right shoulder (if you are right handed). Make sure nothing drags on the ground and that you or the horse can’t step though it. If it does you can carry the bridle over the saddle or in your free hand.
Wrap the girth around your horse's belly, and hold it there. Later, you will attach it to the saddle.
Put the saddle together if it isn't done already. Hold the buckle of the stirrup leather and thread the other end though the stirrup iron and then behind and over the stirrup bar under the skirt of the saddle. Buckle the stirrup leather at about half way and pull the back of the leather until the buckle is again at the bar. Run the stirrup iron up the back of the leather and put the leather though the iron. Attach the girth on the far (right) side and hang the rest over the saddle. The saddle blanket can be attached to the saddle now or on the horse later (see below). If not attached now carry it over the saddle.
Pick up the saddle and put it over your left arm (if right handed) with the pommel up against your elbow. If you find the saddle heavy you can support it with your free hand, and if not, you have a hand free to carry boots, a grooming kit or to open doors.
Get a saddle pad and put it on your horse's back.
- For Showing Hunt Seat: The saddle pad is shaped like the saddle, but sized a little bigger so that you can see the white around the saddle. You can also use a sheepskin wither pad that will not go under the flaps of the saddle, just under the seat of the saddle for the horse's back. Place the front of the blanket approximately 2 finger widths from the middle of the horses withers.
- For Schooling: You can use a square pad, or a baby pad with a wither pad. The wither pad is made out of sheepskin or wool and provides more comfort and protection for your horse's back.
- For Dressage: The saddle pad is square, the "front" of the saddle blanket contours to the shape of the horse's shoulder area. The saddle and blanket should be placed approximately 4 fingers width behind the withers. This allows free movement of the shoulder.
Set the saddle on (generally this goes a few fingers' width behind the withers (human equivalent= shoulders). Attach the girth.
- Girth is the part of the saddle that goes around the barrel of the horse. It needs to be snug enough to hold the saddle on, while still allowing the horse to breathe. A good rule of thumb in finding the correct pressure is to slide two fingers (flat) in between the girth and the horse. It should be snug.
- Check the blanket beneath, prior to tightening the girth, to make sure the blanket is flat, and not bunched up. It can cause sores on the horse during workouts. Make sure the blanket is pulled up into the gullet to aviod pressure on the horses spine.
Hunt Seat: Dressage:
Put the reins over the horse's neck before removing the halter and slipping it around the horses neck.
Put the bit in the horse's mouth. Make sure to unbuckle the nose band of the bridle first.
Guide the bit into the horse's mouth, avoid hitting the teeth, or getting your fingers munched on.
- If the horse is resistant to opening their mouth: Slide a finger into the area on the gums the bit rests on (approximately 2 inches up the cheek).
- If it's cold, remember to warm the bit! Before putting on any piece of the bridle, cup the halter in your hand and rub the bit between your hands until it is comfortably warm.
Slide the crownpiece over the ears.
Attach the throat latch loosely, as it can cut off the horse's air supply if it's too tight. You should be able to slide your hand (perpendicular to the throat latch) comfortably in between it and the horses head.
Attach the nose band snugly. Rule of thumb is to see if you can slide one finger in between the horses nose and bridle.
Put the girth through the martingale (if you're using one) and attach it to the other side of the saddle.
- The stirrups should be tucked up and out of the way until ready to mount.
- Make initial adjustments to the stirrups prior to mounting so that the bottom of the stirrup comes to your armpit level.
Buckle your helmet on and lead the horse to the mounting block.
Check your girth one more time, then mount your horse from the near (left) side.
- Always maintain control of your horse. Do not release the reins.
- Place the ball of your left foot into the stirrup iron, hold the reins in one hand and rest it on the pommel, or grab some of the horse's mane. Put the other hand on the cantle (rear end)of the seat. Spring off your right leg and move your weight on to the stirrup and your hands. Swing your right leg over the saddle and at the same time move your right hand to the pommel. Keep your weight on your hands to help you land gently in the saddle. Find the stirrup iron with your right foot. Keep the stirrup's on the ball's of your feet.li> Mounting from the ground is the same concept. Put one foot in the stirrup and pull yourself up and swing your leg over.
Adjust stirrup lengths once mounted, and you're set to ride!