How to Put on an English Saddle Properly

When properly fitted, adjusted, maintained, and secured in place, an English saddle makes a beautiful and functional mount for your horse. Learning to saddle a horse properly is an essential skill if you enjoy riding, and there are some unique aspects to putting on an English saddle. With a bit of practice, though, you’ll be able to quickly and easily put on an English saddle the right way.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Placing the Saddle on the Horse

1
Groom the horse before putting on a saddle. Any dirt or loose hair that gets caught between the horse and the saddle can cause chafing and discomfort. A quick grooming session with a curry comb, dandy brush, and soft brush will remove any debris that could cause problems.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Grooming also calms a horse, which will make saddling it easier.
2
Run up the stirrup irons on the stirrup leathers. In other words, lift up the dangling stirrups and tuck them under the seat of the saddle. This keeps them out of the way while you put the saddle on the horse.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If you don’t do this before putting the saddle on, the stirrups will get in your way and may clang against the sides of the horse, causing discomfort and anxiety.
3
Detach the girth and set it aside. The girth is the strap that buckles at each side of the saddle and loops underneath the horse’s midsection. Unbuckle it from the saddle so it’s out of the way when you put the saddle on the horse.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Alternatively, leave the girth buckled on the right-hand side and fold it over the top of the saddle. But it’s just as easy to unbuckle it completely.
- English saddles have 3 billets (straps with sizing holes) on each side, and the girth will be buckled to 2 of these billets per side.
4
Put a contoured pad and the saddle on together, as one option. A contoured pad nestles under the saddle before you place the combination onto the horse. Nestle the pad underneath, then position yourself on the left-hand side of the horse and make sure it knows you’re there. Carefully lay the saddle over the horse’s back, so that the pommel of the saddle is just barely behind the withers—the ridge between the front shoulder blades that marks the high point of the back.^{[4]XResearch source}
- There should be at least 1 in (2.5 cm) of pad visible all the way around the edge of the saddle. If there isn’t, the pad isn’t large enough.
- If the horse is a bit skittish or not used to being saddled, be extra gentle and encourage it with a soothing voice.
5
Place a square pad, then the saddle, on the horse as another option. With a square pad, you place the pad on the horse’s back, then follow up with the saddle. Stand on the horse’s left-hand side, making sure it is aware of your presence. Gently lay the pad over the center of the horse’s back, starting it right at the withers.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Follow this by gently putting on the saddle, making sure at least 1 in (2.5 cm) of the pad is protruding beyond the edges of the saddle. Otherwise, use a bigger pad.
- Some square pads have a loop on either side that you feed a billet (adjustable strap) through to secure the pad and saddle together. If your pad has loops, make sure they’re near the horse’s front shoulders.
6
Slide the saddle back a bit until it settles into place. The saddle is in the proper position when it rests level on the horse’s back. With practice, you can visually confirm that it’s level—to be sure though, try placing a piece of chalk on the center of the saddle. When the saddle is level, the chalk won’t roll off.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Don’t slide the saddle forward, since this goes against the direction of hair growth and causes discomfort to the horse. If necessary, lift the saddle off and place it further forward to begin with.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Securing and Mounting the Saddle

1
Buckle the girth to the billets on the horse’s right side. The girth splits into 2 buckles at each end, and you have three billets (straps with sizing holes) to choose from on each side of the saddle. In most cases, riders buckle the girth to the first and third billets, leaving the second (middle) billet unused. This comes down to personal preference (for both you and the horse), however.^{[7]XResearch source}
- The girth attaches to the billets like a standard leather belt buckle. Feed a billet into a buckle, slide the buckle's peg through the appropriate hole in the billet, and feed the billet underneath the outer edge of the buckle.
- If you’re using a square pad with loops, feed the first billet on each side through the loop to help secure the pad and saddle together.
2
Run the girth beneath the horse and fasten it on the left side. Walk around the front of the horse to its left side, making sure it is aware of your movements. Carefully reach under the horse to grasp the loose end of the girth, then bring it up to the billets on the left side. Cinch up the girth until it is against the horse’s underside, then buckle it in place.^{[8]XResearch source}
- The girth should be secure around the horse, but not too tight. You should be able to slide your hand between horse and girth, but it shouldn’t be dangling free.
- If anything, make the girth a little loose now—you can tighten it further once you mount the horse.
3
Drop the stirrups and mount the horse. Free the stirrups so they hang down on each side. Then, put a mounting block in place (if you need one) on the horse’s left side, secure your left foot in the left-side stirrup, grab the pommel, swing your right leg and body up over the horse, gently seat yourself in the saddle, and place your right foot in the other stirrup.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Make sure the horse remains aware and calm as you mount it.
4
Recheck the girth to see if it needs tightening. Until you have a lot of experience saddling a horse, this is easier with a helper. While you’re mounted, let them check the girth (by making sure they can just barely slide their hand between it and the horse’s underside) and adjust the buckles as needed.^{[10]XResearch source}
- With experience, you can tell if the girth is tight enough by feeling it from the side, and adjust the buckles if needed while mounted.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Checking the Fit of a New Saddle

1
Place the saddle on the horse without a pad underneath. Stand on the horse’s left-hand side and make sure it knows you’re there. Gently lay the saddle on the horse’s back so that its front is just at the horse’s withers (shoulder blades). Nestle the saddle back slightly until the top of the saddle appears level.^{[11]XResearch source}
- While checking the fit of a new saddle, don’t use any type of pad beneath the saddle. But always use a pad before actually mounting a horse.
- You don’t need to use the girth and buckle the saddle in place to check the fit.
2
Use a piece of chalk to make sure the saddle is level. Lay the chalk on top of the saddle at its midpoint. If the chalk rolls toward the back of the saddle, nestle the saddle a bit further back. If it rolls off one of the sides or towards the front, lift the saddle off and lay it in place a bit further forward and more evenly side-to-side.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Don’t slide the saddle forward or side-to-side, or you’ll go against the grain of the horse’s hair and cause discomfort.
3
Check the clearance between the pommel and the withers. Slide the first 3 fingers of you hand (oriented vertically) between the bottom of the pommel at the front of the saddle and the horse’s withers. If the gap is larger than 3 fingers, the saddle is too narrow.^{[13]XResearch source}
- If the gap is less than 3 fingers but more than 2, the saddle is probably all right. If it’s 2 fingers or less, though, it’s too wide.
4
Feel for even contact along the sides of the saddle. Slide your fingers beneath the edge of the saddle on both sides. Feel for even contact between saddle and horse at all points—otherwise, the saddle will rub and cause chafing and discomfort.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Run your fingers from front to back, so you’re going with the grain of the horse’s hair.
5
Look for clearance from end-to-end under the saddle. Stand to the front and side of one of the horse’s front shoulders and look beneath the saddle from front to back. Check for daylight coming from the rear of the saddle, which means the saddle makes no contact with the horse’s spine.^{[15]XResearch source}
- The gap should appear to be roughly 3 finger widths high throughout. If it’s higher, the saddle is too narrow; if it’s much lower, the saddle is too wide for the horse.
- Depending on your respective heights, you may need to stand on a mounting block to get a clear view beneath the saddle.
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Expert Q&A

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Question
How do you position a saddle?
Alana Silverman
Certified EAGALA Equine Specialist
Alana Silverman is a Certified EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) Equine Specialist and the Assistant Manager of Paddock Riding Club, a 200-horse premier equestrian facility based in Los Angeles, California. Alana has over 25 years of experience caring for and riding horses and specializes in English riding and riding instruction. She has a BA in Psychology from the University of Arizona.
Alana Silverman
Certified EAGALA Equine Specialist
Expert Answer
When you're putting the saddle pad on your horse, look for fasteners that will show you which way goes forward. Then, gently place the saddle onto the horse's back and fasten the girth, or the strap that goes under the horse's belly. Also, never walk away from the horse while the girth is undone, or the saddle could shift around or even fall off.
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Question
How come in figure 8 is says to use first and third billets, but the picture in 10 shows them using the first and second?
Community Answer
I can't tell you for sure, but it kind of depends on the circumstances. Normally you would use first and third, but my instructor has suggested I use first and second for different horses. I would use first and third, but talk to an expert if you want to be sure.
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Question
Where about should you put the saddle on the back and how do I know if it needs to go forwards or backwards?
Equestriangoose
Top Answerer
Assuming the saddle has been fitted to the horse, the pommel and cantle should be even. Exactly where that is will depend on what type of saddle you use. For example, a jumping saddle will be further up on the horse's withers than a Western saddle and a lane fox saddle.
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Tips

Always make sure your equipment is in good working condition! Routinely check for wear, rusted buckles, or weak points in the leather!
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Warnings

Some horses try to bite when you tighten the girth. Be careful when you put on the girth, especially if you do not know the horse well.
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