Process Essay: The Process Of Tacking A Horse

While all the steps involved in tacking up a horse are significant, there are two processes that should be given special attention to detail. Checking over the equipment being used and properly securing the girth are vital parts to ensuring a safe ride.

One of the utmost crucial steps when tacking up a horse is to check all the tack, or equipment, to make sure nothing is ripped, broken or out of place. This is a commonly skipped process because it can become very tedious. Verifying that there is no grass burrs, sticks or rocks in the saddle pad, is as straightforward as running a hand over the underside of the pad. Upon feeling a sharp or foreign object, be sure to remove it. If this step is overlooked, and a saddle pad containing any debris is placed on the horses back, not only can it damage the tack, but also potentially put both the horse and rider
The girth is equivalent to the belt of a saddle. It hangs off the right side of the saddle and goes under the horse, just behind the front legs. In order to secure the girth to the other side of the saddle, the latigo is strung through a D ring on the left side of the saddle. Pull the girth under the horse at the narrowest section of the rib cage. Assuming that it is not twisted, string the latigo through the metal ring on the end of the girth, belly side of the horse out. Keeping it flat, make sure the latigo snug and pull it through the saddle D ring from the outside in. Depending on the horse and the length of the latigo, this step may need to be repeated two or three times. To secure the girth, cross the free end of the latigo over the top of the layered latigo straps and pull it through the saddle D ring, horse side out. Thread the latigo down, through the loop made when crossing over the layers. This is similar to fastening a man's tie. Being diligent when cinching the girth will prevent many accidents and save an abundance of money in vet and hospital