How to Saddle a Horse Correctly.

Brush your horse down so nothing will irritate her once the saddle is on. Some horses will act out if something is bothering it. Fortune, my horse, doesn't act out but I always make sure there is nothing to bother her anyways. After I brush her I put the saddle pad on her back so it is just over the withers. I then put the saddle gently (You wouldn't want someone to slam something on your back, would you?) on her back so it is all on the pad. You want to make sure you can see the pad on all sides. If you don't see the pad, it is too small. It has to be the right size to make the horse feel comfortable or you might end up on the ground. Also make sure that the saddle doesn't pinch the withers. I had a friend who's saddle pinched her horse and the horse would act out. Put the girth on and afterwards put the tie strap through the metal ring on the girth two times and pull to tighten. Make sure it is super tight so you don't end up upside down under the horse.

I used this picture from www.cowboyshowcase.com/saddles-and-gear.htm#.w9tleS2ZMyl .