Before you even get as far as sitting on a horse there is quite a lot of groundwork to master, such as tacking up and mounting. Riding schools vary in their approach to tacking up for beginners. Some have the horse ready and waiting for his rider; others feel that tacking up is all part of the learning process and that it will give you a few minutes of unpressured time in which to start to get to know your horse.If a friend is teaching you, it is all part of the fun to help get the horse ready.

The saddle is one of the most important pieces of equipment for the ridden horse , and , because of the skill and craftsmanship involved in producing a saddle , it is usually the most expensive.The earliest type of saddle , first developed thousands of years ago , was nothing more than a simple blanket kept in place with a breastplace and girth. The modern saddle , however , is a sophisticated piece of equipment. It has evolved as a resultof the demands of modern equestriansm , whether it be western saddle designed to withstand the rigorsof cowboy life ; the dressage saddle designed to give the rider an elegant yet effective postion ; or the minuscule racing saddle.The saddle’s design and fit can have a tremendous effect on both the horse’s performance and the rider postion. An ill-fitting saddle can cause the horse considerable discomfort and even physicle damage. When choosing a new saddle , therefor , it is always advisible to seekprofessional help- a trained saddler will be able to ensure that the saddle fits the horse correctly.