Heavy Saddle + Tall Horse??

OSUJillyBean · 08-18-2008, 12:27 PM

When I was younger (13!

) I worked with a grade gelding. He was 2-coming-on-3 and his withers were well over my head. The boss said I could ride him at a walk int he round pen if I wanted to since I'd seen him saddle the big guy up so many times for his grandwork exercises.

I tried it once and couldn't get the saddle high enough.

How does one lift a 45-pound western saddle over their heads onto a horse? Are all of y'all just muscular enough to pull it off or do you have a ramp or soemthign you stand on?

My dad thinks my first saddle should be a Cordura nylon one (or A-Betta, haven't thought about it much) so that I can actually lift the silly thing.

What do y'all think??

David · 08-18-2008, 12:33 PM

When I was a kid ( the times I used a saddle) I would tie the horse to the trailer and stand on the metal part over the tires to throw my saddle on the horse. Of course this maneuver requires the horse's cooperation. It kinda sucks to have the horse move away and ( not wanting to throw the saddle on the ground) you end up on the ground on top of the saddle all under the horse.

I think that there are so many good light weight saddles out there, you don't need a 45 -50 lbs rig to get a good saddle these days. The McCall lady wade is only about 28 lbs ( I think ) and if you're not doing any roping you can get an even lighter saddle that will do just as good a job for you.

fishing_trex · 08-18-2008, 12:37 PM

Ken McNabb, on his RFD-TV show, had an interesting technique that he uses (as does his wife who is pretty short). If you grab the saddle by the cantle (on the opposite side) you can hold the saddle under your right arm, freeing up your left one to reposition the blanket, etc. When you are ready to throw the saddle on, using your left hand, grab the near side of the pommel, facing toward the rear of the horse. Then simply rotate your shoulders while raising your arms, keeping the left elbow crooked. The momentum will carry the saddle up onto your horse.

It's a whole lot easier to understand if you see it as opposed to me trying to describe it, but it really works!

Slim Pikkens · 08-18-2008, 02:29 PM

You get a shorter horse! lol

**taelesean** · 08-18-2008, 03:16 PM

Take up English riding, the saddles weigh in the 10 - 15 lb range

. And, you don't have those heavy fenders and stirrups clonking all over the place

Not only that, but in an English saddle, you can let the near stirrup leather out a few notches to make it easier to get on, then take it back up once you're mounted.

Tobiesmom · 08-18-2008, 03:37 PM

The trials and tribulations of western riding!!! Short horses and English gear can help!!! I've seen the technique described by fishing trex and it works really, really well. You want to be sure and have your cinch(s) and off side stirrup firmly folded over the saddle horn so they don't go flying over your horse and slap him on the other side when you swing the saddle up and over onto his back.

Another technique that I use (if your shoulders won't let you 'swing') is to cradle my saddle in my arms with the seat facing me at about chin height. I walk to my horse and place my left hand on the withers and or the edge of the blanket and sort of roll the saddle up my arms like a ramp. I saddle up close to my saddle stand, and if I work the momentum right, I can pretty well roll the saddle off the stand into my arms and then turn and roll it right back up the horse's back in one pretty smooth motion.

I always advocate using a good leather western saddle like the older Circle Y's, Billy Cooks, etc. rather than going synthetic. Others will disagree, but synthetic WESTERN saddles are just not nearly as good as their English counter-parts. You can find them in good weights 25-32 pounds and they are wonderful to ride in. Good luck.

sli92 · 08-18-2008, 05:46 PM

I always was told "if you can't get the saddle up there, you dont get one"... same with the bridle.
so I learned to ride in a halter, bareback...

i was a lazy kid

(wait a sec, im still lazy... i only really ride in a saddle for shows and some training...

and my horse is only 15.3 )

Wolfie · 08-18-2008, 11:53 PM

Climb up on a mounting block with your saddle, then just set it on top.

Or practice lifting weights!

PaintsQH · 08-19-2008, 08:23 AM

Im having this same problem. Saddle weighs almost 50lbs, horse keeps getting taller. I have to be careful lifting anything heavy that high because of my shoulder and arm. Since im the clumsiest person alive, I dont think standing on a stool and putting it on would be good for me. I would fall off the stool, saddle and all

What did work for me was putting the saddle on the arena rail, taking Chief to the rail, and putting it on the opposit side. The rail is about 14.3hh

Cheif is 15.2 1/2hh. He is so tolerant of everything I do to him. I just started using the bareback pad, lining him up against the rail, getting on my stool, bottom rail and mounting on his right side. He is a good boy and seems to like the pad better than the saddle. Its also helped me tons with my weeble wobble balance I have bareback. Havent rode like that since I was in my 20's.

Sirita_88 · 08-19-2008, 09:03 AM

If I am having a short day, I use a bucket =). To get on my horse I have a chair or a leg up...

Jules · 08-19-2008, 06:09 PM

A firm grip on the saddle and plenty of momentum! I have a 16hh horse and I'm 5'4" in my boots... so I can't see over his back. When I use my Western saddle, which is around 25lbs (Circle Y, one of their lighter models), I make sure I have a good grip just under the horn and on the cantle, then I stand at his shoulder facing his tail, with the cinch and off stirrup over the saddle (hook the stirrup over the horn), then I swing back and up and over. It's not pretty and it's rarely accurate, but then once it's up there, I can manhandle it pretty well to adjust it. I'm currently riding in an Aussie saddle which is around 20lbs but slightly more difficult to hoist up as the sides of the saddle come down further than a Western saddle. Still, grip and momentum works wonders. Failing that, a shorter horse or a very sturdy mounting block would be my next thought!

Karen Cole · 08-31-2008, 07:21 PM

My TexTan rig weighs about 45#s with all the bells and whistles on it I used to put it on the wood fence, climb on the fence and put it on the horse. It worked as long as the horse stood still. I did have a Morgan mare that kept moving as soon as I swung the saddle...she did it twice and I was getting frustrated the third time I had to climb off the fence I picke the saddle up and threw it at her. NOT A GOOD IDEA I know but I was a kid, anyway, she stopped dancing and I calmed down, that was the last time she gave me any problems.

Now Ive got a Tucker barrel saddle it's alot less weight and even though my horse is bigger I can get it on him. Or I just wait and have my husband tack up my horse. The problem with that is he pulls the girth so tight Scooter can't breath and gets a bit cranky. Now if he puts it on I do the girth.

Karen

breburtch · 08-31-2008, 07:26 PM

when I had heavey saddles and horses that were to tall for me to get it on right from the ground I would use mounting blocks to out it one...eventually I got sick of it and started buying lighter saddles lol

Bandit · 08-31-2008, 08:19 PM

This is why I have short horses.

Slim Pikkens · 08-31-2008, 08:43 PM

A friend puts my heavy roper upside down on her head holding the forks with one hand and the skirts with the other walks up to the horse's side and plops the saddle on. I laugh every time I watch her adorn her head with her fancy head gear -one fender hanging down in front and the other behind. It works for her. And the horse stands there.
When I tore the rotator cuff I got a hybrid because as David noted, the saddle winds up on the ground.

PaintsQH · 09-01-2008, 10:44 AM

Thats too funny Slim. I can picture myself doing that. Falling flat on my face

I wonder how the people in other countries carry water buckets on their head and not fall.
I did get a synthetic saddle from a friend the other day. She is selling her horse and gave me her saddle. It weights 20lbs tops. Rotator cuff problems are no fun and I sure as heck dont want to go through that 6 weeks in a sling again, although I may have no choice

Slim Pikkens · 09-02-2008, 08:19 AM

PaintsQH-here's another you might enjoy. I had to carry a heavy saddle across the yard and up four steps and it meant either whacking my shins or getting a sore shoulder from the forks digging into my back. There had to be a better way. I bent over a bit and holding the skirts got the saddle onto my shoulders, skirts sticking straight up, the back of my head nestled in the air channel. Not cowboy fashion but it sure worked and was surprisingly comfortable.

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08-18-2008, 12:27 PM
OSUJillyBean Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,010	Heavy Saddle + Tall Horse?? When I was younger (13! ) I worked with a grade gelding. He was 2-coming-on-3 and his withers were well over my head. The boss said I could ride him at a walk int he round pen if I wanted to since I'd seen him saddle the big guy up so many times for his grandwork exercises. I tried it once and couldn't get the saddle high enough. How does one lift a 45-pound western saddle over their heads onto a horse? Are all of y'all just muscular enough to pull it off or do you have a ramp or soemthign you stand on? My dad thinks my first saddle should be a Cordura nylon one (or A-Betta, haven't thought about it much) so that I can actually lift the silly thing. What do y'all think?? __________________ "And speaking of Italy and sports cars that I stole there, you still owe me a yellow Porsche." — Alice Cullen

08-18-2008, 12:33 PM
David Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,066	When I was a kid ( the times I used a saddle) I would tie the horse to the trailer and stand on the metal part over the tires to throw my saddle on the horse. Of course this maneuver requires the horse's cooperation. It kinda sucks to have the horse move away and ( not wanting to throw the saddle on the ground) you end up on the ground on top of the saddle all under the horse. I think that there are so many good light weight saddles out there, you don't need a 45 -50 lbs rig to get a good saddle these days. The McCall lady wade is only about 28 lbs ( I think ) and if you're not doing any roping you can get an even lighter saddle that will do just as good a job for you. __________________ "If you see your stirrups slap together above the horn, you're probably bucked off". Dave Stamey.

08-18-2008, 12:37 PM
fishing_trex Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,439	Ken McNabb, on his RFD-TV show, had an interesting technique that he uses (as does his wife who is pretty short). If you grab the saddle by the cantle (on the opposite side) you can hold the saddle under your right arm, freeing up your left one to reposition the blanket, etc. When you are ready to throw the saddle on, using your left hand, grab the near side of the pommel, facing toward the rear of the horse. Then simply rotate your shoulders while raising your arms, keeping the left elbow crooked. The momentum will carry the saddle up onto your horse. It's a whole lot easier to understand if you see it as opposed to me trying to describe it, but it really works! __________________ -- There are two ways to slide easily through life -- to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways will save you from thinking.

08-18-2008, 02:29 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,948	You get a shorter horse! lol

08-18-2008, 03:16 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,675	Take up English riding, the saddles weigh in the 10 - 15 lb range . And, you don't have those heavy fenders and stirrups clonking all over the place Not only that, but in an English saddle, you can let the near stirrup leather out a few notches to make it easier to get on, then take it back up once you're mounted. __________________

08-18-2008, 03:37 PM
Tobiesmom Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 444	The trials and tribulations of western riding!!! Short horses and English gear can help!!! I've seen the technique described by fishing trex and it works really, really well. You want to be sure and have your cinch(s) and off side stirrup firmly folded over the saddle horn so they don't go flying over your horse and slap him on the other side when you swing the saddle up and over onto his back. Another technique that I use (if your shoulders won't let you 'swing') is to cradle my saddle in my arms with the seat facing me at about chin height. I walk to my horse and place my left hand on the withers and or the edge of the blanket and sort of roll the saddle up my arms like a ramp. I saddle up close to my saddle stand, and if I work the momentum right, I can pretty well roll the saddle off the stand into my arms and then turn and roll it right back up the horse's back in one pretty smooth motion. I always advocate using a good leather western saddle like the older Circle Y's, Billy Cooks, etc. rather than going synthetic. Others will disagree, but synthetic WESTERN saddles are just not nearly as good as their English counter-parts. You can find them in good weights 25-32 pounds and they are wonderful to ride in. Good luck.

08-18-2008, 05:46 PM
sli92 Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 596	I always was told "if you can't get the saddle up there, you dont get one"... same with the bridle. so I learned to ride in a halter, bareback... i was a lazy kid (wait a sec, im still lazy... i only really ride in a saddle for shows and some training... and my horse is only 15.3 ) __________________ ~Sarah * PA Sebastion(Oh CanadaxCrystal Vision)

08-18-2008, 11:53 PM
Wolfie Coming two Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: US Posts: 1,547	Climb up on a mounting block with your saddle, then just set it on top. Or practice lifting weights!

08-19-2008, 08:23 AM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,442	Im having this same problem. Saddle weighs almost 50lbs, horse keeps getting taller. I have to be careful lifting anything heavy that high because of my shoulder and arm. Since im the clumsiest person alive, I dont think standing on a stool and putting it on would be good for me. I would fall off the stool, saddle and all What did work for me was putting the saddle on the arena rail, taking Chief to the rail, and putting it on the opposit side. The rail is about 14.3hh Cheif is 15.2 1/2hh. He is so tolerant of everything I do to him. I just started using the bareback pad, lining him up against the rail, getting on my stool, bottom rail and mounting on his right side. He is a good boy and seems to like the pad better than the saddle. Its also helped me tons with my weeble wobble balance I have bareback. Havent rode like that since I was in my 20's. __________________ My treasures do not clink, they gleam in the sunlight and neigh in the night

08-19-2008, 09:03 AM
Sirita_88 Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Posts: 1,296	If I am having a short day, I use a bucket =). To get on my horse I have a chair or a leg up...

08-19-2008, 06:09 PM
Jules Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 167	A firm grip on the saddle and plenty of momentum! I have a 16hh horse and I'm 5'4" in my boots... so I can't see over his back. When I use my Western saddle, which is around 25lbs (Circle Y, one of their lighter models), I make sure I have a good grip just under the horn and on the cantle, then I stand at his shoulder facing his tail, with the cinch and off stirrup over the saddle (hook the stirrup over the horn), then I swing back and up and over. It's not pretty and it's rarely accurate, but then once it's up there, I can manhandle it pretty well to adjust it. I'm currently riding in an Aussie saddle which is around 20lbs but slightly more difficult to hoist up as the sides of the saddle come down further than a Western saddle. Still, grip and momentum works wonders. Failing that, a shorter horse or a very sturdy mounting block would be my next thought! __________________ Jules Living in Las Vegas... loving my horse

08-31-2008, 07:21 PM
Karen Cole Long Yearling Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,434	My TexTan rig weighs about 45#s with all the bells and whistles on it I used to put it on the wood fence, climb on the fence and put it on the horse. It worked as long as the horse stood still. I did have a Morgan mare that kept moving as soon as I swung the saddle...she did it twice and I was getting frustrated the third time I had to climb off the fence I picke the saddle up and threw it at her. NOT A GOOD IDEA I know but I was a kid, anyway, she stopped dancing and I calmed down, that was the last time she gave me any problems. Now Ive got a Tucker barrel saddle it's alot less weight and even though my horse is bigger I can get it on him. Or I just wait and have my husband tack up my horse. The problem with that is he pulls the girth so tight Scooter can't breath and gets a bit cranky. Now if he puts it on I do the girth. Karen

08-31-2008, 07:26 PM
breburtch Coming two Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 1,905	when I had heavey saddles and horses that were to tall for me to get it on right from the ground I would use mounting blocks to out it one...eventually I got sick of it and started buying lighter saddles lol

08-31-2008, 08:19 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,791	This is why I have short horses. __________________

08-31-2008, 08:43 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,948	A friend puts my heavy roper upside down on her head holding the forks with one hand and the skirts with the other walks up to the horse's side and plops the saddle on. I laugh every time I watch her adorn her head with her fancy head gear -one fender hanging down in front and the other behind. It works for her. And the horse stands there. When I tore the rotator cuff I got a hybrid because as David noted, the saddle winds up on the ground.

09-01-2008, 10:44 AM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,442	Thats too funny Slim. I can picture myself doing that. Falling flat on my face I wonder how the people in other countries carry water buckets on their head and not fall. I did get a synthetic saddle from a friend the other day. She is selling her horse and gave me her saddle. It weights 20lbs tops. Rotator cuff problems are no fun and I sure as heck dont want to go through that 6 weeks in a sling again, although I may have no choice __________________ My treasures do not clink, they gleam in the sunlight and neigh in the night

09-02-2008, 08:19 AM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,948	PaintsQH-here's another you might enjoy. I had to carry a heavy saddle across the yard and up four steps and it meant either whacking my shins or getting a sore shoulder from the forks digging into my back. There had to be a better way. I bent over a bit and holding the skirts got the saddle onto my shoulders, skirts sticking straight up, the back of my head nestled in the air channel. Not cowboy fashion but it sure worked and was surprisingly comfortable.