Step 1a

Correctly tie up the horse in the stable.

Organise the tack BEFORE beginning to tack up the horse.

• Attach the girth to the offside of the saddle.
• Attach a correctly fitted numnah to to the saddle using ALL the straps on the numnah.
• Check the saddle has a buckle guard fitted on either side. If not, mention this to the examiner in the discussion at the end.

Step 1b

The noseband and throatlash must be undone.

Undo both the cheekpiece keepers and the noseband keeper. This allows you to alter the bridle quickly, if necessary, once you have put it on the horse.

Step 2

Holding the top of the headpiece and the middle of the bit, pull the bridle taut and roughly measure the bridle against the side of the horse’s head. The headpiece should be slightly above the base of the ears and the bit rings should sit at the corners of the lips. Adjust if necessary.

This will give you a rough measurement of the fit of the bridle before putting it on the horse.

Step 3

Undo the quick release knot, leaving the leadrope through the string.

Step 4

Place the headcollar around the horse’s neck.

Step 5

Correctly put on and fit the bridle to the horse. Once fitted, fasten all the keepers, noseband and throatlash.

To view how to put a bridle on correctly go to: Tacking Up & Untacking the Horse → How to Put on a Snaffle Bridle.

To view how to fit a snaffle bridle correctly go to: The Snaffle Bridle → The Fit of the Snaffle Bridle.

Step 6

Remove the headcollar from around the horse’s neck. Undo the throatlash, wrap the reins, and thread them through the throatlash. Re-fasten the throatlash back to the bridle.

To view how to wrap the reins go to: Tacking Up & Untacking the Horse → How To Wrap the Reins.

Step 7

Corrrectly re-fit the headcollar over the bridle.

Step 8

Re-tie the horse back up with a quick release knot.

Step 9

Bring the prepared saddle into the stable.

Step 10

Standing on the nearside, carefully place the saddle onto the correct area of the horse’s back.

To view how to put on a saddle correctly go to: Tacking Up & Untacking the Horse → How To Put On a Saddle.

Step 11

Correctly go around to the offside of the horse.

Step 12

Carefully lay the girth down so it can be fastened from the nearside. Ensure the numnah is straight and the buckle guard is covering the buckles on the girth.

Do not throw the girth over from the nearside, as the metal buckles can bang on the horse’s legs causing pain or injury.

Step 13

Return, around the front of the horse, to the nearside.

Step 14

Organise the numnah, fasten the girth at the correct tension and pull the buckle guard over the buckles on the girth. If the girth does not reach the straps, correctly go back to the off side and let the girth down by a few holes.

The girth should be the correct type and fit for the horse. It should easily fasten without excess pulling, and when tightened fully it will sit on the middle holes of the girth straps on both sides.

To ensures it is applies even pressure, whilst keeping the saddle central and balanced, it should be fitted on the same straps on either side of the saddle.

Step 15

Re-tie up the horse.