How to untack

Guiness learning……how to take a rug off!

• On the bridle undo the nose band and the throat lash
• Take the reins and the headpiece [the band at the back of the horse’s ears] in your right hand
• Place your left hand by the horse’s lips so you can ensure the bit does not hit the horse’s teeth when the bridle is removed
• Gently ease all your right hand, with the straps in it, forward over the horse’s ears and lower the bridle away from the horse’s head
• The horse should release the bit which you catch in your left hand
• If they don’t release the bit immediately wait with your hand under their lips until they release it – don’t try to pull it out or drop the rest of the bridle.
• Tie your pony up at the front the stable using lead rein and quick release knot
• Undo the neck straps that fasten to the saddle [both sides]
• Stand on the left side of the horse
  [You can tell you are on the correct side by standing facing the horse’s head, your right arm should be against the saddle]
• Undo the girth buckles
• Place it down so it doesn’t touch the horse’s legs
• Go round the front of the horse to the other side
• Place the girth on top of the saddle
• Come back round the front to the original side
• Carefully lift the saddle off the horse’s back
• Put on the stable door/top rail out of reach of the horse
• Make sure it can’t fall
• Go back to the horse’s left side
• Scoop up the neck strap, and take over the horses head (you will need to unclip the leadrope from headcollar or untie the horse)
• If your horse/pony needs a rug put it on – see Session prep
• Untie the lead rope and unclip it from the headcollar
• Remove the headcollar
• Place the headcollar over the saddle with the bridle
• Come out of stable, ensuring you fasten the door top & bottom

Putting Tack Away

• Hang lead rope up outside the stable
• Take tack [saddle & saddle pad/numnah, bridle, headcollar] back to tack room and put on appropriate horse’s peg
• Take bridle over to the sink and rinse the bit
• Put back on correct peg
• Ensure reins and girth are not left dangling on the floor

Other Useful things!

Eclipse learning……..how to groom