1. Horse Care H1.9 Saddlery & Care
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2. Saddlery & Care Overview
Types of Materials
Types of Saddles
Parts of a Saddle
Taking Apart/Putting together a Saddle
Saddling a Horse
Unsaddling a Horse
Types of Bridles
Parts of a Bridle
Taking Apart/ Putting together a Bridle
Bridling a Horse
Bridling a Horse Video
Unbridling a Horse
Care of Saddlery
Cleaning & Oiling a Saddle Video

3. Types of Materials Leather
Saddlery was at one time mainly made from leather but some new materials are being used which can make gear easier to clean and take less time to maintain.
Leather saddles and bridles tend to have a more traditional look.
Advantages:-
When cared for properly they will last a long time. Initially, new leather may be stiff and may require oiling but with use it usually softens fairly quickly.
Disadvantages:-
All saddlery will require care, cleaning and maintenance but of the materials we will look at in this topic, leather gear will probably require the most. leather goods will require regular soaping and oiling/conditioning to keep the leather supple and strong. Dry leather will wear quicker and become vulnerable to tears, cracks and rubbing.

4. Types of Materials (cont.)
Synthetic
Synthetic saddles and bridles are light-weight and water-proof.
Some may have suede linings on the seat, knee rolls and saddle flaps.
Advantages:-
Lower maintenance in cleaning. These types of saddles can be wiped cleaned with water and a damp sponge/cloth. They also tend to be cheaper to buy than leather saddles.
Disadvantages:-
Synthetic saddles are still prone to cracking and wear, particularly on the girth points. Cracks in the material may cause discomfort to rider or horse.

5. Types of Saddles All Purpose
The type of discipline you ride and even to some extent the level you ride at will determine the type of saddle you ride in.
All/General purpose
Shaped and designed for the rider to be able to maintain position and seat during both basic dressage and flatwork, jumping and across undulating country

6. Types of Saddles (cont.)
Dressage
Designed with a deeper seat for better contact the horses’ back & a longer saddle flap for a longer leg position. Longer girth points so the girth buckles don’t interfere with leg aid application
Jumping
Forward cut saddle flap to accommodate a shorter, forward leg position. Shallow seat to allow for ease of getting up into jumping position.
Jumping saddle
Dressage saddle

7. Types of Saddles (cont.)
Racing
Small and light weight. Allows horse freedom of movement. And minimal interference from rider.
   
Side saddle
For side-saddle riders. Not as common today.
Side saddle
Racing saddle

8. Types of Saddles (cont.)
Stock
The ‘ears’ at the pommel of the saddle help keep the rider secure. Commonly used when mustering cattle. Girth can be adjusted using either buckles or a lace
Western
Designed for long periods in the saddle. Suited for cattle work. Horn is located on the pommel
Stock saddle
Western saddle

9. This is a synthetic all/general-purpose saddle.
Parts of a Saddle
This is a synthetic all/general-purpose saddle.

10. Taking Apart/Putting together a Saddle
Saddles are probably easier to dismantle than bridles. Below are step by step instructions to pulling apart an English style saddle (jumping, dressage, all/general purpose).
It will be easier to take apart the saddle if it is sitting upon a rail or even the top of a chair so that it is positioned as it would be on a horse.
Start by pulling the buckle on the stirrup leather down. to do this, grasp the end of the leather plus the top strap and pull down. Once the buckle is in view, undo it. The stirrup irons will slide off the leather.
With the buckle undone you will be able to pull on the back part of the stirrup leather which will pull the end from the stirrup bar and the stirrup leather will come off the saddle. (Alternatively you may be able to pull the stirrup leather off the end of the stirrup bar –located under the skirt- however this may be difficult depending upon how the stirrup bar is positioned.)
To remove the girth, simply lift the saddle flap and undo the buckles on the girth points. If you have a dressage saddle you probably won’t need to lift the saddle flap to get to the girth buckles.
Putting the saddle together:-
The girth re-buckles to the girth points under the saddle flap. If you have a dressage saddle you probably won’t need to lift the saddle flap to get to the girth buckles. If your girth has 2 buckles but there are 3 girth points, use the 1st and 3rd girth point to buckle the girth to.
Before putting the stirrups back on it’s a good idea to measure them against each other to see which is longer. Because you always mount the horse from the same side one stirrup leather will stretch more than the other. It is a good idea to check them and put the shorter stirrup leather on the mounting side (near side) of the saddle. This will help to keep them even.
Get the end of the stirrup leather, lift the skirt of the saddle and push the end of the leather under the stirrup bar. If the stirrup bar is tight you may need to wiggle the leather a little. Sometimes it can be easier to push the leather end through on an angle. Make sure that you have the leather around the right way, if it is upside down the buckle will face into the saddle rather than outwards to the underside of the skirt.
Once the end of the leather pokes out the top of the stirrup bar pull it up and downwards. Then buckle up the stirrup and pull the back strap of the stirrup leather to slide the buckle back up under the skirt.
Removing the stirrups

11. Saddling/Unsaddling a Horse
Saddle Cloths/Blankets/Numnahs
After grooming your horse, the next step is putting on the saddle.
Saddle Cloth/Blanket/Numnah
This item goes on first. Once in place there should be an even amount on both sides of the horse. Some saddle cloths will have keepers to pass the girth thru to help keep it in place under the saddle.
It should sit over the horses wither/rib cage.

12. Saddling/Unsaddling a Horse (cont.)
Place the saddle over the saddle cloth
You can then place the saddle over the saddle cloth, once you have it on the horse you can slide it backwards slightly to smooth the hair (so there is no irritation) flat under the saddle. From here you can go around the other side of the horse (making sure to either walk in a wide circle around the hind legs or stay close, keeping a hand on the horse so it knows where you are when you pass thru Its blind spot) and let the girth down.
Coming back around to the near side (left side) of the horse, reach under the horses belly- keep watching your horse as you do this as some horses will not like it- bring the girth up and fasten to the girth points under the saddle flap. At this stage the girth should be firm enough so that the saddle wont shift If you had additional equipment such as a breastplate or martingale you would fit it prior to doing up the girth.
The saddle should be positioned so that it is sitting over the rib cage of the horse. If it is too far forward the pommel of the saddle will be much higher than the cantle and this will position you on the back on the saddle rather than the middle, it will also cause your horse discomfort and restrict shoulder movement.
If it is too far back your weight will be carried on the horses’ loins. You may also find the saddle is insecure.
Check the saddle on the horse for:-
For any twisted or looped straps
Straps adjusted to the wrong buckle
If the saddle cloth has shifted.
If the saddle has shifted. Sometimes if the girth isn’t adjusted firmly when the saddle is first put on it will slide back.
To remove the saddle it is the reverse of the above procedure.
Make sure you have run the stirrups up (this involves pushing the stirrup iron up the back of the stirrup leather, all the way to the buckle at the top, the passing the end of the stirrup leather through the stirrup iron. The weight of the iron on the leather holds it in place)/
Unbuckling the girth
Going around to the other side, either thread the girth up through the stirrup or folding it over the seat of the saddle so it is out of the way
Then heading back around to the near side and lifting the saddle off the horse
And removing the saddle cloth.
Adjust the girth

13. Types of Bridles Cavesson Bridle - One nose band
We use bridles to communicate with our horses using our hands. Once mounted, you will use tension on the reins, which connect to the bit in the horses’ mouth, to guide and control the horse.
Cavesson Bridle
A fairly simple bridle consisting of one nose band and bit.
Hanoverian Bridle
The same in structure to the Cavesson bridle but has two nose bands. The extra nose band helps to keep the bit secure in the horses’ mouth
Hanoverian/Flash Bridle
- Two nose bands

14. Types of Bridles (cont.)
Barcoo/Stockmans Bridle
- No nose band
Stockmans/Barcoo/Western Bridle
These have no nose bands and in the case of some of the Western style bridles, have no throat latch either and a brow band that loops around one ear, not both.
Western Bridle
- No nose band or throat latch

15. This is a leather cavesson bridle.
Parts of a Bridle
This is a leather cavesson bridle.

16. Taking Apart/Putting together a Bridle
Depending on the type of bridle you use they can be quite confusing to take apart and put back together again. Below are instructions for taking apart a cavesson bridle. Buckles are indicated with a number on an image on the next page.
It can help to hang the bridle off a hook or even a door knob so that the bridle is positioned like it would be on the horses’ head. Remove the reins (1). There will be either a buckle or a metal hook which holds the reins in place. To undo the hook type rein you will need to push the end of the rein (from the bit) over the hook.
Remove the bit. Again on the end of the cheek straps which hold the bit will either be a buckle or a hook (2).
Remove the noseband. Undo the buckle (3) and pull the long strap of the noseband out from the browband.
Unbuckle the cheek straps (4) from the headpiece.
Now you should be able to pull the headpiece out from the browband. You will only be able to pull it out one way as the buckle on the throatlatch will prevent it from being removed the other way.

17. Taking Apart/Putting together a Bridle (cont.)
Hook type rein fastening
Putting the bridle together:-
Start with the browband and the headpiece. Thread the headpiece through the browband. Make sure that the throatlatch (5) (the longest piece on the headpiece, it will have a buckle on the end of it) will be on the correct side, that is, when it is buckled up it should be on the near side of the horse (the left side of the horse if you face the same direction as it).
Next attach the cheek straps(4). They should sit evenly with each other on the headpiece.
Thread the end of the noseband up and through the browband. Again this long strap that passes through the browband and over the horses’ head should re-buckle (3) on the near-side of the horse.
Attach cheek straps to the bit (2). Make sure the bit is the correct way around that is, the curve of the bit should curve outwards over the horses’ tongue. If you have the hooks rather than buckles you will need to side the hole in the leather over the hook, push the hook into the hole then pull back on the strap to ensure it is in place.
Then re-attach the reins (1). Make sure you reattach them to the correct side of the bit.
Number 6 on the image is the flash or dropped noseband. This can be removed and replaced at anytime. It should be positioned so that the end of the strap hangs down and lies flat when it is fastened.
Number 7 on the image is the buckle which secures the nose band around the horses’ nose. Whether it is buckled or unbuckle will not interfere with how the bridle is put together or taken apart.
Buckle type rein fastening

18. Care of Saddlery Saddle soap Glyserine saddle soap
There are many different products available to assist in the cleaning and conditioning of leather equipment
Glycerine Saddle soap
Is made up of high glycerine content to soften, nourish and clean leather. The usual compounds in this soap are glycerine, waxes, cleaning agents and fragrances. It is available as a solid and a liquid
Saddle soap
Made from natural waxes, this type is ideal for cleaning and produces soft and supple leather and is free from alkaline which can have an negative effect on some leather
Glyserine saddle soap

19. Care of Saddlery (cont.)
Neatsfoot Oil
Leather conditioner
Leather conditioners or oils can come in creams and liquids and many are available with different oils, waxes and other penetrating agents which will help to soften, preserve and waterproof leather.
Leather conditioner
This brand contains natural oils such as beeswax, lanolin and emu oil
Neatsfoot oil
Is an oil which is produce and purified from the shin bones of cattle. It is useful for conditioning, preserving and softening leather but may cause darkening on newer leather
Leather dressing
These are useful to improve flexibility and suppleness of leather and also to protect it from the elements. Contain waxes and oils
Leather Dressing

20. Care of Saddlery (cont.)
String girths
Girths and Saddlecloths:-
Girths, saddlecloths and girth covers or sleeves will need to be regularly cleaned and washed to prevent rubbing and chaffing on the horse.
Leather girths will need to be cleaned in the same way as saddles and bridles. Once they become hard and dry they crack and cause discomfort to the horse.
String girths should be washed in soap and water, then dry thoroughly before use.
Webbing or pvc girths can be brushed or washed as required
Maintenance checks:-
Regular maintenance checks should be done on gear to make sure it is in good, safe working order. Any repairs should be seen to promptly and the gear not used until repaired. On saddles, panel stuffing, stitching, buckles and lining should be check for breaks, wear and damage.
Check the stitching on all parts of the bridle.
Saddlecloths tend to wear thin and fray, make sure they’re not causing horse discomfort.
Pvc girths

21. Cleaning & Oiling a Saddle Video

22. After the Video Tutorial
View the Power Point Presentation and see if you can discuss each slide
View the Video Tutorial again, if necessary
Read the Workbook
Do the Homework/Extension Lesson
Complete the Online Quizzes
Complete the Practical Assessments
Join Phone Tutorials if available
Listen to Phone Tutorial Recordings

23. References Images: www.ehow.com/how_4684824_put-together-horse-g..