Day 6 Tacking Up Faster
Now that we are almost a week into this challenge, I have decided it’s time to focus on getting on our horses. And when we are getting ready to ride, how long do we spend actually tacking up our horse? Sometimes I find myself getting lost in my own tack room looking for that one piece of equipment I think I need to ride. I thought it would be good for us to learn how to tack up faster, so we can spend more time riding, and less time getting ready to ride.
The first thing you will need to do is have all of your riding gear in one place. When you spend time going from place to place looking for your bridle, saddle, riding helmet, etc. You do get extra steps, but you waste time.
If you have all your tack in one area it makes it easier, and quicker to get your horse ready to ride.
So if you can, carve out an area in your barn, tack room or closet where you can keep all of the things you need in order to ride.
Grooming Tote(s)
Keeping the essentials in one tote will make it easier for you to get your horse ready to ride. The basics you should have in your tote are:
- Rubber curry
- Stiff brush
- Dandy brush
- Flick brush
- Hoof pick
- Rub rag
- Hoof conditioner
- Mane/tail brush
- Detangler
- Fly spray
- Baby wipes
And if you are like me, you have more than one grooming tote! Which is a good thing for staying organized, in my opinion. To keep tacking up to a fast process, these are the items I have in my second grooming tote:
- Riding gloves
- Hairnet
- Scissors
- Protective boots
- Polo wraps
- Leather cleaner
- Leather conditioner
- Extra bridle
- Rubber bands
- Sunglasses
- Riding helmet
- My boots
And then you will need a space to keep your saddle, girth, saddle pads and bridle.
Once you have this area figured out it is important to return your tack and equipment to this designated space once you are done riding!
Ok, so now we have a spot for all our stuff, we can get ready to ride.
Before you get your horse, gather all your equipment, and take it to the area where you will be tacking up your horse. Bring out your grooming totes, saddle pads, saddle, girth and bridle.
If you have a hitching post, you can put all your stuff out there. If you have a portable saddle stand, bring that out with you too. It is easier to have all your stuff close by and ready, which will make your tacking up time a lot less.
Grooming Before Riding
Grooming before you ride is a quick one. Using the curry comb loosen up the dirt in a circular motion all over your horse. Then use the stiff brush to get the dirt off. You can also knock your stiff brush with your curry comb to get the dirt out of the brush, this will keep it from just moving around on your horse.
Be sure to get where the saddle pad will sit, and the girth area too. Look over your horse for any potential problems, and check for injuries. I do this with Ethan before every ride because, well, he is accident prone.
Then don’t forget to pick out his feet.
Time To Saddle Up
This part should be relatively quick. Your horse is all groomed, and all of your tack is right there with you, so you won’t have to go far to get everything.
After you have done this a few times, I am confident you should be able to have your horse groomed and tack up in 10 minutes. Seriously, you can do it!
The first time may take a little bit longer, but I think you will see how much faster you will be able to get in the saddle once you have a plan for how to get tacked up. But only do this as fast as you are comfortable doing. Don’t risk safety for speed.
But the more organized you are, the faster you will be able to get ready.
When Your Done Riding
Now just because your done riding doesn’t mean your done! Remove your horses tack, and set on your saddle stand, or saddle rack, right where you had it when you tacked up. So we are basically going to reverse the process. Tack off, and then groom.
When you are doing your end of the ride grooming, spend a little more time really getting your horse clean and shiny. After he was just worked out, you will notice more shine, and a better clean. This is because he has been warmed up, and you (and your horse) will have a great grooming time!
Apply hoof conditioner, as well as mane and tail detangler and gently work through any tangles.
Once your horse is groomed, you can put him away, or you can clean your tack. Depending on how long I worked him will determine if I put him in his stall. For this first tack cleaning, it will take a little bit longer, but it’s up to you.
Don’t Forget Your Tack
This doesn’t have to be an all-out getting ready for a show cleaning, but you should clean your girth, bridle, and saddle. Start with a leather cleaner, I really like ledder-combi by effax, it cleans well and fast. And then wipe down your tack with a dry towel.
Once all the leather is dry, using your fingers rub some conditioner into the leather. I like either Passier lederbalsam, or effax. It is a wonderful conditioner that will keep your tack looking great as well as really nourishing the leather. This will make it last longer too.
Putting Everything in Its Place
Now that everything is clean, including your horse, it is time to put everything away.
Be sure to put your girth, and saddle pad, bridle and saddle all together so it will be ready for you to use tomorrow when you come out to ride again.
One More Thing….
Don’t forget to do your plank exercise today! Try to get to at least 2 minutes, even if you have to take breaks in between.
Then on your calendar, write down how long you did your planks, and then cross of the day. You have just completed day 6! Now you are one day closer to being a better rider.
Previous Posts in 31 Days to Being a Better Rider:
The 31 Day Riding Challenge Day 1
The 31 Day Riding Challenge Day 2
The 31 Day Riding Challenge Day 3
The 31 Day Riding Challenge Day 4
The 31 Day Riding Challenge Day 5
