Saddling and Mounting Safety: Preparing to Ride Without Incident

Most Horse Injuries Happen Before You Even Ride

The moments before you ride (saddling and mounting) are when many horse-related injuries occur. A horse that moves unexpectedly during saddling can knock you over, step on you, or kick. A bad mount can result in falls, being dragged, or being kicked. These activities require your full attention and proper technique every single time.

This guide covers the safety protocols for preparing to ride and getting on your horse safely.

Before You Begin: Preparation

Assess the Horse

Before handling tack, evaluate your horse. Check the energy level to see whether the horse is calm or keyed up. Look at physical state for any signs of discomfort or lameness. Read the attitude through ear position, eyes, and overall demeanor. Consider the environment and whether anything might cause distraction or spook the horse.

If the horse is highly agitated, consider groundwork before tacking.

Prepare Your Equipment

Saddle inspection should cover the cinch or girth for good condition, latigos or billets for security, stirrup leathers for cracks, and all hardware for proper function.

Pad or blanket should have no lumps or worn areas that could cause pressure points and be appropriate for the weather and activity.

Bridle check includes leather or material condition, buckle and hardware security, and reins in good repair.

Grooming First

Never saddle a dirty horse. Remove dirt, mud, and debris from the saddle area and check for cuts, bumps, or sore spots underneath. Remove burrs and foreign objects, make sure the cinch area is clean and dry, and remember that a dirty saddle area causes discomfort and girth sores that make the horse cinchy over time.

Safe Saddling Technique

Positioning the Horse

Tie the horse securely using cross-ties if the horse is accustomed to them. Never saddle a loose horse, and position yourself with room to escape if the horse moves suddenly.

Your body position should be close enough to work efficiently but ready to move. Be aware of the horse's feet at all times.

Placing the Pad/Blanket

Approach carrying the pad clearly visible to the horse
Place it forward on the withers, then slide it back (this lays the hair flat)
Check that both sides hang evenly
Make sure there are no wrinkles that could cause pressure points

Placing the Saddle

Western saddle: Approach from the left side and place the saddle gently on the horse's back, slightly forward of where it will sit. Slide it back into position behind the withers. Let the off-side cinch and stirrup down gently rather than flinging them over. Move to the off side to check positioning if needed.

English saddle: Place forward and slide back into the correct position. Check both sides for even placement and make sure the pad has not shifted during placement.

In both cases, never let the cinch or stirrups swing and hit the horse, and never drop the saddle onto a sensitive back.

Cinching/Girthing

This is where many saddling accidents happen. Reach under the horse for the cinch, bring it up to the rigging ring, and tighten gradually rather than all at once. Allow the horse to relax, walk a few steps, and then tighten again before mounting.

Horses that react to cinching may move sideways or swing their hindquarters, kick or strike, bite toward the handler, or develop lasting fear and resistance. Tightening too fast is the most common cause of these reactions.

Correct tightness means you should be able to slide a flat hand between the cinch and the horse. Tighter than this restricts breathing and causes discomfort. Always recheck before mounting, since many horses "blow up" (hold their breath) during initial cinching and the cinch loosens once they exhale.

English Girthing

English saddles have similar concerns. Attach the girth to the off side first, reach under and bring it up to the near side, then tighten gradually in holes. Walk the horse and retighten, checking that the girth is even, flat, and positioned correctly.

Western Latigo/Tie

If using a latigo (long leather strap), thread it through the cinch ring and back up, then repeat for security. Tie a proper saddle knot or use a latigo keeper, and make sure excess latigo is secured so it will not flap and spook the horse.

Pre-Mount Safety Check

Before mounting, always recheck the cinch (snug but not overtight), confirm the breast collar is attached but not too tight if you use one, adjust stirrups to the correct length before you are in the saddle, and verify nothing has shifted under the saddle since you first placed it.

Confirm that reins are accessible, your helmet is on and fastened, and your footing is stable.

Safe Mounting Technique

Choosing Where to Mount

Good locations are away from fences, walls, or obstacles, with space for the horse to move if needed and no hazards to trip over.

Avoid mounting right next to fences (the horse might step into them), in areas with overhead obstructions, and near traffic or distractions.

Using a Mounting Block

Position the horse parallel to the block and make sure the horse will stand quietly. Keep the horse in position with rein contact, step up, check the girth one more time, then mount. Mounting blocks provide better balance for the rider, are easier for riders with physical limitations, and reduce the chance of pulling the saddle sideways.

Ground Mounting (Western)

If mounting from the ground:

Stand at the left shoulder facing the rear
Gather reins in your left hand on the horse's neck, with enough contact to control if the horse moves (not so tight the horse backs up)
Turn the stirrup toward you with your right hand
Insert your left foot in the stirrup with toe pointed forward, not jabbing the horse
Grasp the horn with your right hand
Spring up, swinging your right leg over and clear of the horse's hindquarters
Settle into the saddle gently without dropping your weight
Place your right foot in the stirrup
Organize reins before asking for movement

Ground Mounting (English)

The same principles apply with minor differences:

Stand at the left shoulder
Hold reins and mane in your left hand
Turn the stirrup with your right hand
Insert your left foot
Spring up, swinging your leg over
Settle gently
Find the right stirrup

Common Mounting Mistakes

Technique errors include grabbing the cantle (back of saddle) and pulling it sideways, kicking the horse's hindquarters while swinging over, dropping hard into the saddle, mounting without rein contact so the horse walks off before you are settled, and not checking the cinch so the saddle rolls.

Horse behavior issues like refusing to stand for the mounting block, being "girthy" when mounted, or turning to bite or kick during mounting usually indicate pain, poor training, or both. Address the root cause rather than just forcing through it.

Special Mounting Situations

Mounting Alone in the Pasture

If mounting in open areas without anyone to hold the horse, find the most level ground available and keep rein contact to prevent walkoff. Be especially prepared for the horse to move, and consider ponying to a safer area first if one is nearby.

Mounting Sensitive or Green Horses

Young or touchy horses need extra care. Use a mounting block to reduce the sensation of weight pulling on one side, and practice standing still extensively before adding the mounting step. Have someone at the horse's head initially, and build confidence through repeated mount-and-dismount sessions in training.

Mounting After a Break

If remounting during a ride, check the girth first since horses often expand and contract during work. Make sure nothing has shifted, and be aware that the horse may be more fresh or more tired than when you first mounted.

Dismounting Safety

Safe dismounting is as important as mounting.

Proper Dismount Technique

Check surroundings for space to land and no hazards
Remove your right foot from the stirrup first
Place hands on the horn or pommel and neck
Swing your right leg clear of the horse's hindquarters
Slide down, removing your left foot as you land
Land on both feet with knees soft
Immediately gather reins and control the horse

Emergency Dismount

If you need to get off quickly, kick both feet free of the stirrups, lean forward and grab mane. Swing your leg over and push away from the horse, then land and move away from the horse's path.

Common Dismount Mistakes

Getting your left foot caught in the stirrup creates a drag injury risk. Kicking the horse while dismounting can cause a dangerous reaction. Letting go of the reins allows the horse to walk off, and landing off balance invites a fall.

Teaching Saddling and Mounting

For New Handlers

When teaching beginners:

Demonstrate each step thoroughly
Supervise every attempt initially
Use calm, experienced horses
Correct mistakes immediately
Emphasize girth checking
Practice mounting from blocks first

For Children

Children need appropriately sized horses or ponies, adult supervision at all times, step stools or mounting blocks, practice on reliable horses, and repeated reminders about girth checking (they often forget this step).

Quick Reference Checklist

Before Saddling

[ ] Horse groomed in saddle area
[ ] Tack in good condition
[ ] Horse secured properly
[ ] Working area clear

After Saddling

[ ] Pad smooth, no wrinkles
[ ] Saddle positioned correctly
[ ] Cinch snug but not overly tight
[ ] All straps secured

Before Mounting

[ ] Recheck cinch (walked horse and retightened)
[ ] Stirrups correct length
[ ] Helmet on and fastened
[ ] Footing appropriate
[ ] Have rein contact

After Mounting

[ ] Settled gently
[ ] Both feet in stirrups
[ ] Reins organized
[ ] Balance centered

Bottom Line

Check your equipment before every ride, not just the first ride of the season. A cracked latigo or worn cinch can fail at the worst possible moment. Cinch gradually and recheck before mounting, since a loose cinch is behind more saddle-rolling wrecks than any other cause.

Use mounting blocks when they are available because they are easier on both you and the horse. Maintain rein contact during mounting to prevent walkoff, and settle gently into the saddle rather than dropping your weight. Check your surroundings before dismounting so you land safely. These habits need to become automatic through repetition, because good technique practiced until it is second nature is what prevents accidents on the days when your mind is elsewhere.

Additional Resources

Texas AgriLife Extension: Horsemanship programs
Certified Horsemanship Association: Instructor certification
Local trainers: Hands-on mounted skill development
4-H and FFA: Youth horsemanship education