How to Ride With a Night Latch

Once a common piece of cowboy equipment on the ranch and in the rodeo arena, the night latch still has value to horsemen as a teaching aid and safety device. The night latch is a leather or rope strap attached to the swells at the front of the saddle. Because the strap is more like a handle, it's easier to grasp than the saddle horn. A rider lifts on the night latch, pulling himself down into the saddle more securely. Grasping the horn tends to lift the rider out of the saddle, making it more difficult to stay on the horse if he bucks or spooks.

Things You'll Need

  • Western saddle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach the night latch to your saddle. Pre-made night latches generally have a buckle to attach them to the swells of your saddle. You can also make your own night latch using a short piece of rope. Double the rope, run the loop through the gullet, pull the ends through the loop, and tie off by twisting the ends back through themselves. If you prefer, you can also screw the night latch to the saddle for additional security.

    • 2

      Mount the horse and begin your ride.

    • 3

      Grasp the night latch with one hand, making sure to close your thumb back over your fingers in a tight grasp. Practice pulling up on the night latch to push yourself down into the saddle more securely while keeping your shoulders back. This is a great training aid for new riders to help them learn proper position in the saddle.

    • 4

      Use the night latch in the event your horse spooks or begins to buck. Pull up on the latch to keep your seat or help you regain your balance on the horse's back. Keep your arm close to your body with the elbow bent for added strength.