That’s cool!

ok still to this day I have anxiety about tacking up.. I’m like “oh crap did I put the saddle forward enough?” Etc etc.
even though I’ve tacked up thousands of times in my life LOL.

after switching to english from western, I loved tacking up English way more than western. Thankfully I still remember how to tack up western, I guess I use to so much to the point I just can’t forget.
for western it only took me a few months for me to feel comfortable tacking up on my own and not having anyone check up on me, English I had so much already before having an English Instructor I was never worried about it, I still feel comfortable with it but some days I have anxiety about it randomly lol.

 

A few times being corrected for mistakes should do it. It's basically just the knot that is different, and if you use both a front and rear cinch. And getting used to the weight of the western saddle and getting it up o the horse.

 

That's awesome that you love it!
I've never tacked English, but when I watch others do it is it very confusing and I do not understand squat 😂 It took a couple months for me to learn to tack Western. I had someone check my tack all the time when I was learning, but now I can do it. I always have my trainer or a friend double check the cinch still lol.

 

Any reason you can't trail ride with English gear?

I've only ever ridden western and that stuff is heavy by comparison to English. My saddle weighs almost 50#s with the breast collar and rear cinch added. I have a synthetic saddle and I'm thinking of switching over to that set up because it's only half the weight.

 

The barn where the lease horse is only has western. They said his owner used to ride him english sometimes, before he became a trail horse there, and that if I had an English saddle I could put it on him. But I am not sure how to buy or fit one properly. I like the western saddle but I feel totally confused, lol.

 

Good for you! Honestly, it's always better for a rider to ask the coach to double check the tack than head out in the ring with things done up wrong. Don't be afraid to ask! You'll catch on in no time.

I think everyone should try as many disciplines as they can in riding. The more you know, the better, and the more you try, the better chance you have of finding something that suits you perfectly!

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I like this horse specifically. I rode him on trails a few times and now I started taking western lessons on him and the plan is to lease him when I feel ready. They said he has some quirks apparently (steering and not wanting to move sometimes) but he has been so good for me. It is like he knows I am a beginner. The coach said his owner doesn't come around too much and he likes to have his own person. I was able to get him from the pasture myself and ride him in the arena and the trail with no problems whatsoever. I am not going out of my comfort zone yet so I always ride with the coach right now.

I am getting excited and want to start the lease now, but I definitely need a babysitter for doing the actual tack at the present. I am glad I am not the only one that doesn't feel comfortable right away. I don't want to be a pain for the staff at the barn, or god forbid do the wrong thing.

 

Just a couple of notes: I find the biggest difference between western and English is the use of reins, not the saddle. OK, the saddle is obviously different but...they are both saddles. It doesn't seem to affect the horse. English riding emphasizes 'contact' and is far more directive than the western approach.

Putting the saddle on - western or English - should only require a couple of demonstrations. Then someone should check your work before mounting up until the instructor knows you will do it right. The instruction should include where to place the saddle, how to check it, etc. That is more important than cinch/girth tightness IMHO.

A technique I like is to place the saddle on the back, then lead the horse thru a couple of Figure 8s before connecting the cinch. That allows the saddle to find its place on the back. The shoulders have a chance to move the saddle back if needed and it shifts around until the saddle is where it best fits the back. THEN I connect the girth/cinch.

Saddle weights: My roping quality saddle is 30 lbs. It would be 35 except the skirts were shortened for Mia's back. A rear cinch would add 5 lbs. We have a Circle Y that dates to 1990. Thick leather and still good. It weighs 27 lbs. My Abetta, which I now use for most of my riding, is 17 lbs. with stirrups & cinch. I find the Abetta feels very "English". It is designed to sit the rider is a 'proper' English position and is narrow enough that I can easily ride it in a Forward Seat.

 

To answer your question, it doesn't matter how long it took others. What is important is how long it takes you to feel confident and comfortable. Until you feel confident and comfortable ask someone knowledgable to take a second look for you.

 

Since I started group lessons (English) no one looks at my tack anymore, I tack up, lead, do the girth, mount and dismount essentially in solitude. I found it surprising the first couple of times, no I actually enjoy the quietness of being in a corner of the arena wth my guy on my own.

 

Advice: Feel free to put one hand on the horn and dismount vertically. It is permissible to ask the horse to come to a FULL stop first, but optional:

Posting & sitting the trot is normal and you can canter seated or in a half-seat if you wish. I normally use two-point in a trot and a half-seat at a canter because those are easier on my back (old injury).

PS: That picture is SOOO not me! I can only dream of being that fit any more... 😢

 

Couple of good videos on saddling western:

 

There's also rigging converters that allow you to switch to an english dressage girth with the billets on the cinch ring. I just needed more practice tying the cinch knot, but my endurance saddle has the billets for a long time.

 

Thanks guys! I watched a bunch of youtube videos and I get it now. I went up there yesterday and just did it without being nervous and she said it was great. The saddle stayed on well while we were riding. I will still have someone check it for awhile longer.

 

I switched to western a few years back and it took me weeks to figure out lol! just take practice, I had to figure out how to switch the stirrup length and had to use youtube and like 20 minutes. It does feel more complicated than English.

 

switched to western a few years back and it took me weeks to figure out lol! just take practice, I had to figure out how to switch the stirrup length and had to use youtube and like 20 minutes. It does feel more complicated than English.

I can't really say it was much harder for me personally, just felt different. Took like a 3 weeks to really get used to it(maybe more, at this point I can't remember it that well, been a while )

 

Does the saddle you use tie? I always tie mine but I think these days, most people use the buckle.