BRIDLING

 1. Protect your head from the horse's head when bridling.  Stand in close

    just behind and to one side (preferably on the left side) of the horse's

    head.  Use caution when handling the horse's ears.

 

 2. Keep control of the horse when bridling by refastening the halter around

    the neck.

 3. Be certain the bridle is adjusted to fit the horse before you ride.  Three

     points to check are the placement of the bit, the adjustment of the curb

    strap, and the adjustment of the throat latch.

SADDLING

 1. Check your saddle blanket and all other equipment for foreign objects.  Be

     certain the horse's back and the cinch or girth areas are clean.

 2. When using a Western double-rigged saddle, remember to fasten the front

    cinch first, rear cinch last when saddling.  Unfasten the rear cinch

    first, front cinch last when unsaddling.  Be certain that the strap

    connecting the front and back cinches (along the horse's belly) is secure.

 3. Fasten accessory straps (tie-downs, breast collars, martingales, etc.)

    after the saddle is cinched on.  Unfasten them first, before loosening the

     cinch.

    On English equipment, it is sometimes necessary to thread the girth

    through the martingale loop before the girth is secured.

 4. The back cinch should not be so loose that your horse can get a hind leg

    caught between the cinch and its belly.

 5. When saddling, it is safest to keep the off cinches and stirrup secured

    over the saddle seats and ease them down when the saddle is on.  Don't let

     them swing wide and hit the horse on the off knee or belly that hurts.

 6. Swing the Western saddle into position easily not suddenly.  Dropping the

    saddle down too quickly or hard may scare the horse.  An English saddle is

     much lighter than a stock saddle.  You don't need to, and should not,

    swing the saddle into position.  Lift it and place it into position.

 7. Pull up slowly to tighten the cinch.  Check the cinch three times: a)

    after saddling; b) after walking a few steps (untracking); and c) after

    mounting and riding a short distance.

MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING

Never mount or dismount a horse in a bran, near fences, trees, or overhanging

projections.  Sidestepping and rearing mounts have injured riders who failed

to take these precautions.

A horse should stand quietly for mounting and dismounting.  To be certain of

this, you must have light control of its head through the reins.

RIDING AT NIGHT

 1. Riding at night can be a pleasure, but must be recognized as being more

    hazardous than daytime riding.  Walk the horse; fast gaits are dangerous.

 2. If necessary to ride at night on roads or highways, ride on the side

    required by law.  State laws vary in regard to which side of the road you

    should ride.  Wear light-colored clothing and carry a flashlight and

    reflectors.  Check your State regulations for details.

 3. Select a location with care.  Choose controlled bridle paths or familiar,

    safe open areas.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING

 1. Learn to handle a rope before carrying one on a horse.  Always use caution

     when working with a rope if the horse is not "rope-broke."  Never tie the

     rope "hard and fast" to a saddle horn while roping from a green horse.

 2. Bridle reins, stirrup leathers, headstalls, curb straps, and cinch straps

    should be kept in the best possible condition; your safety depends on

    these straps.  Replace any of the straps when they begin to show signs of

    wear (cracking or checking).

 3. Be sure all tack fits the horse.  Adjust your tie-downs, etc., to a safe

    length that will not hinder the horse's balance.

 4. Spurs can trip you when working on the ground.  Take them off when not

    mounted.

 5. Wear neat, well-fitted clothing that will not snag on equipment.  Belts,

    jackets, and front chap straps can become hooked over the saddle horn.

 6. Wear boots or shoes with heels to keep your foot from slipping through the

     stirrup.

 7. Keep the horse's feet properly trimmed and/or shod.

 8. Infectious organisms are prevalent around barns, corrals, and fences.

    Gloves are a safeguard against cuts, scratches, splinters, and rope burns.