AllHorseTalk.com - Tacking Up - this video is all about tacking up your horse. See even more horse tips and training videos at AllHorseTalk.com and Like us at our Facebook page at / allhorsetalk
A few things people should note about the way this horse was tacked up. 1. The nose band was buckled incorrectly at the lips of the horse near the bit. A big no no. It will rub there. The buckle should be slipped further around so it sits on the flat of the muzzle above the bit. 2. You should always adjust the bridle from the front of the horse before doing up the nose band, so you can see if it is crooked or sitting straight. This bridle was VERY crooked and the bit was pulled through badly on one side. This has to be adjusted before the nose band is done up. Not after. 3. You must check the REAR of the saddle cloth when saddling up too. The binding edge should never be under the cantle. The saddle should sit centrally on the saddle cloth. This saddle cloth was too small which will cause a pressure point when you sit on it and therefore a sore back. Which she would have noticed if she had checked that as part of the tacking up routine. The saddle cloth needs to be big enough to fit from the front to PAST the back of the saddle. 4. Bit was too big, but most people did notice that. 5. Tip: The furthest away ear get tucked into the bridle first!! This makes it easier to do the second ear. Less far to reach. This is not a rule... but rather a tip for shorter people or learners or owners of tall horses. As some people often struggle to get the second ear in as the bridle is tighter and they are trying to reach across the horses head to the right ear while standing on the left side. I never understand why this is not taught. It makes life so much easier for learners especially. Once you become proficient your horse should lower his head of course anyway. But as i said learners often struggle with this and this is just a tip. Otherwise it was basically good information.
Thanks for the tip I ride a 17.2 hh horse( He's a stallion so he gives me quite a lot of trouble with mares around.) and I'm only 5' foot so the tip might help haha!
Yes you’re right but it’s not like she’s riding home so in this situation it’s OK also yeah I did notice that the bit is ginormous it comes out about 5 inches from his mouth which is a big no-no because it could cause cuts and unnecessary pain. But in this video he’s super chill so it’s not like he’s in any pain it would be different if she was riding him
I think it was a lovely demonstration, and being a complete novice I learnt a lot, Thank you for taking the time to make the video , An Great Britain subscriber
any horse women would realise that that saddle cloth is too small, it doesn't even go past the saddle flaps and the bit is one inch too long. still a very beautiful horse though x
+Sophie Heath ... She said in the beginning of the video when she put the saddle pad on that her saddle flaps were longer than normal. It's a standard sized pad. The flaps on her saddle are longer, that's all.
Jenna, Thank you for taking the time to reply. You bring up some good points. BJ (my horse) is in the cross ties. There is often more than one acceptable way to do things. Putting the reins over the head, close to the ears for control (as shown) is one correct way to get ready to put the bridle on, as is the way you described. Thank you and enjoy!
I don’t riide with gloves to often but my barn puts the halters around there necks when bridling and we put the reins back that far and keep the bit clean with bit wipes
The saddle is an older Barnsby Whittaker. They are not made any more, but you might find one on ebay or at a tack store that sells used tack on consignment.
Thank you for your comments. Glad you like the videos. Try our site (URL below the video box.) I just looked at the video again. BJ does not put his tongue over the bit. He never has and he accepts it well under saddle. Thsi bit is an ergonomic Myler, level I- very gentle. A bitless bridle is a solution for some horses. However, in Dressage and the Dressage phase of Eventing a plain snaffle is required. Bitless would not work. In the Hunter ring, a bit is a needed part of the bridle.
you sound like a smart lady:) just a quick question, is the Velcro thing (don't know what to call it) that attaches the saddle pad to the saddle really that important?i know my old trainer had us do that, but my newer barn says that you don't have to do that. i think if your girth is tight enough, it doesn't make a difference if you have it on or not. what do you think? also, what kind of bit is that?
+Jua T The bit is a myler level 1 loose ring I believe! The billet straps are just to keep your saddle from slipping, some pads require them, others don't! My old cross country would slip like hell, I had to use those, the girth strap, and a no-slip pad underneath!
It's a "Jeffrey Welles Elevator" bridle with a Nunn Finer figure 8 noseband. The name of the bridle was named after a horse Jeffrey rode named Elevator. It has no bearing on the effect of the bridle (as in elevator bit...).
not saying this to be smart or that she is doing anything wrong just a helpful tip when your horse opens his/her mouth a lot during a ride the horse could be telling you that he/she is in pain the horse could be trying to put their tong between the bit and the roof of the mouth to add cushion. the roof of a horses mouth only has a thin layer of skin and pressure can cause their mouth to get sore or head tossing in attempt to move away from pressure. ignoring this or tightening the straps that keep the mouth closed can worsen the problem. not saying this is what causes hea tossing it is just something to look for.
The way I remember how the girth goes is that the elastic goes on the side you mount and am I the only person who doesn't take their halter of that way? I take mine off by the buckle
Thanks! Glad you liked it! There are about 30 hours of videos on the site, see the address in the box just below the video. Sign up for your Free or Premium membership.
Melissa, he's a big boy! The saddle is a 17 1/2 inch. thank you for taking the time to reply. If you go to the web site (URL under the video), you can sign up for a Free or Premium membership. The Premium allows you access to all 30 hours of videos plus mp3s!
In my stables we just bring our horses into their stall and turn them toward the back wall of the stall and tack/un-tack them there, so we don't need to use halters as they can't run anywhere if they move ( I realise it might not be the safest to be in a stall with a horse if they take a spook but that's just what we're doing at the moment)
I am a spokesperson for the northeast for myler bits and this bit is not correctly fitted..I have been to several seminars on proper bit fit as refreshers..On top of it the bit is way to high in the horses mouth the bit should fit so it looks like he is smiling which is between 2 to 3 wrinkles..I am a dressage and hunt seat rider and have gotten reserve champion and champion in my divisions and may I suggest a riser pad as well..
Bit fit is discussed as the bit is centered in BJ's mouth.He requires a 6" bit (he's very large and his jaw is wide). This bit is labeled as 6", but actually measures 6 1/4". Many (really, most) bits I see in use are too small and the rings of the bit touch the corners of the mouth, which can cause rubbing, pinching, or bruising the mouth OR bruising the bars of the mouth! There should be at least 1 finger's width (about 1/4" - 1/2") extra on EACH side of the bit.
my friend fell off the front of her horse and pulled his bridle straight off his face because 1. her noseband was too loose 2. her throat latch was really loose as well.
Zvi Agam- This is a figure 8 noseband. The top cross piece fits under the cheek pieces and the bottom cross piece fits below the bit, as shown. This noseband prevents the horse from evading the bit by opening the mouth, or crossing the jaw or to some degree from keeping from putting his tongue over the bit. Please go to my web site (URL above) and sign up for a Free or Premium membership for more videos on a wide variety of topics. I'd also recommend the book USPC Manual of Horsemanship, Vol 1.
Tate, thank you for taking the time to reply. If you go to the web site (URL under the video), you can sign up for a Free or Premium membership. The Premium allows you access to all 30 hours of videos plus mp3s!
Please clean your saddle after each use checking pressure points and billets especially for wear, cracked leather and loose stitching. Take your saddle to a good saddler for repair at signs of wear and weakness before breakage. Billets can be replaced.
Ashleigh, thank you and glad you like the videos! There are about 30 hrs of videos on the web site - go to the address above and sign up for a Free or Premium membership. Free membership allows access to limited videos, Premium- access to all videos and all are also on MP3. And the first month is only $1! Give it a try! "Be good to yourself and be good to your horse!" Alita (Bunny) Hendricks
There is a video on polo wraps (and about 30 hours of videos on a variety of topics). Go to the URL just below the box to view the video and sign up for a Free or Premium membership!
2 cm or 1 finger's width is how much room on each side of the bit is the correct amount of extra space. Most bits I see are too small with the rings of the bit butting up against the corners of the mouth. This is the bigger sin than too large. MY biggest sin here is not centering the bit as I should have done. It is not sitting in the center of his mouth- not correct. The bit itself is not as big as it appears. Thank you for commenting.
You mis-said the direction of the girth. you said that the non-elastic side is on the right, but you put it on the left, so the non elastic is suppose to be on the left side while the elastic side is on the right side of the horse?
People would hate how I tack up lol. I tack up in the indoor arena, no cross ties, no lead rope tied etc. Just stand there brush thoroughly, put saddle pads/ saddle on then bridle him. Im sure tons of people will disagree with how I do it. There is no one way that is the perfect way just remember that. Everyone has a different way of doings:)
The nose band is called a grackle nose band. It's usually used for horses who cross their jaw. The pressure points don't allow them to do this while riding. They are also used for jumpers because it allows a better air way!
+Horselover1126 ! Could easily be a stud, there are a lot of calm studs. But I do think that BJ is a gelding, the majority of male horses are altered, unless they are great at their event and have very nice bloodlines!
