How we introducing the saddle for the first time and progress.
Following on from the last post. We can assume that our pony is happy in our roller and is lunging and long reining with it. Also they will be accustom to their bridle but I likely will not have lunged/long reined with the reins attached to the bit yet.
Depending on the pony, there may be some extra steps with introducing their saddle. These steps may be done all in one session or over a few days depending on the horse and their temperament.
I have mentioned this previously but think it is important to mention again. When introducing a saddle to a horse it is absolutely imperative that it fits correctly. None of this "cheap breaking saddle" that just goes on everything and is often too wide or too narrow with horrible lumpy flocking. This is likely to open up a can of worms with your horse as you are giving them the impression that saddles are uncomfortable and in some cases painful. Please make sure your saddles fit at all times!
If you have something that is nervy then I may just start by placing the saddle on their door whilst they are having their tea. I would most certainly use positive reinforcement during this time and if they came over to have a look I would reward.
I would then take the saddle in and show it to them, again rewarding if they take an interest and also rewarding when they are standing calmly.
If all going well I will start touching the horse with the saddle, not necessarily placing it on their back just yet, but again all depends on the horse. One that is happy and content I will likely place it on them, reward, and remove. I would repeat this a few times until we are totally relaxed and happy with what is going on.
I feel doing it this way and rewarding your horse regularly they learn that the saddle is not something to be scared or weary of but is actually something very nice and rewarding. This helps stop horses wanting to go and hide in the back of the stable when they see their saddle, or tense up when the saddle is placed on them. I also never "thump" their saddle on them but gently place it down.
As they will have had a roller on, they should be used to a girth, however it is likely to feel a little different to them so I would still go gently and do it up loosely to start with, as long as the saddle is secure and isn't going to slip round and frighten them.
Once they are happy with this routine I would start to lunge with the saddle on, just in walk and trot initially and without stirrups attached. I would then start to introduce stirrups, tied up initially and move on to having them down at riders length but tied up underneath so they don't bang about too much. Just enough for them to feel some slight pressure against their belly.
Next step is to start long reining with the saddle on. It is really important that the stirrups are tied to the girth for this stage so that they don't come up and away from the saddle, especially in an emergency. Now our horse should be well established with the concept of long reining in a roller and so should make the transition as seem less as possible.
This could all take place in a few days to a week, entirely depending on the horse, as always. I would like to add I would likely still be working with a bridle but reins attached to a halter at this point and would start to introducing contact on the bit shortly. I will cover this in the next blog!