What Should I Do If My Horse Freaks Out When I Put a Saddle on It?

Getting a horse used to being saddled requires skill. Oftentimes, the horse will let you know when it is ready to be saddled. Your horse should be accustomed to being haltered, led, groomed and longed. Before you begin saddling and riding your horse, have your saddle fit examined. Is the pommel pinching the horse's withers? Is the tree too narrow, causing the horse pain? These problems can contribute to your horse's reluctance to be saddled.

  1. Stay Calm

    • A horse will look to you for guidance. If the horse gets upset and you react to the horse in a negative or excited way, then that will only escalate the problem. No matter what the situation, stay calm and stay out of harm's way from the horse to avoid getting hurt. If the horse reacts negatively to the saddle, then once the horse has calmed, remove the saddle slowly and reassure your horse.

    Use a Saddle Pad

    • Place a saddle pad on the horse's back. Let the horse stand with the pad, then ask your horse to move forward. The pad should be heavy enough that it will not move. This will allow your horse to get used to the sensation of having an object on its back. Practice this for several days until the horse is comfortable with the sensation on its back.

    Saddle Up

    • Place the saddle on your horse's back gently, on top of the saddle pad. If you are using an English saddle, then remove the stirrup irons and leathers. If you are using a Western saddle, then tie up the stirrups. The horse must get accustomed to the saddle without having stirrups brush up against its legs or any other distraction. Allow the horse to stand with the saddle on its back, while you reassure it with praise. Once the horse is calm and comfortable, buckle the girth or tie the cinch very slowly. Lead the horse with the saddle over several days.

    Direct the Horse

    • Ask your horse to move forward, back up and turn on a lead line with the saddle on and the girth buckled. If your horse is comfortable with that, then attach a longe line to the halter, and ask your horse to longe in a small circle around you. Over time, ask the horse to walk, trot and canter. You may also begin distributing weight on the saddle. Lay an arm or press your elbow into the saddle, then step on a mounting block and lean your weight across the saddle. Make sure your horse is at ease with this before you actually mount up.