Saddling for a trail ride requires organization and knowledge of the horse you are working with. Every element has a precise function: protecting the back, distributing weight, preventing discomfort during hours of walking, and allowing comfortable, natural gaits.
In equestrian tourism this attention is essential, because the horses face long days and carry not only your weight but also everything needed for the day. Here is what you need to do every morning before setting off.
First of all: listen to and observe the horse
Every horse has its own sensitivity and its own way of reacting. While saddling, always pay attention to how it behaves and reacts as you arrange the equipment.
During the week, you will have the opportunity to build a connection with your horse and learn to recognize how it communicates any discomfort. Some horses try to bite, others show restlessness with their legs or inflate their bellies to avoid feeling constricted. On a trail ride, recognizing these signals is important because you will spend many hours together, and saddling is one of the most intense moments of communication.
Protect the horse’s back with the saddle pad
Before the saddle, always place the saddle pad, a kind of mat that must be positioned evenly on both sides of the horse, paying particular attention to the withers, which are a very sensitive part of the back.
Our saddle pads are thick enough to help distribute weight and also have a wool layer inside, which helps absorb sweat and keep the back drier and more breathable. This care helps prevent rubbing, discomfort, and skin problems.
Tighten the girth gently
After positioning the saddle, move on to the girth, the strap that keeps the saddle securely in place. In our case, it is also connected to the martingale, which helps keep the saddle stable during uphill and downhill sections, trotting, and cantering.
The girth is tightened gradually, one hole at a time, observing the horse and giving it time to adjust. It is important to work with concentration and safely, for both the horse and yourself.
Distribute the weight and secure the saddlebags
The saddles we use for equestrian tourism have specific features. They are equipped with several rings that allow you to secure the saddlebags, the bags each horse carries during the trail ride. They contain the things needed for the day: water, a jacket, personal belongings, or small items useful along the route.
The saddlebags must be securely fastened and, above all, balanced in weight between the right and left sides. When trotting or cantering, everything must remain still, without hitting against the horse. For this reason, we use ropes and fastening systems that keep everything firmly secured beneath the horse’s belly, always taking care not to cause discomfort.
Even when dismounted, all the equipment remains attached to the saddle. This makes the work more practical and helps avoid confusion between equipment, horses, and participants.
You are responsible for your horse
Every participant on a trail ride looks after their own horse: water, food, grooming, and saddling are all acts of care that help build the relationship that will make your journey special.
During the trail rides, we give you some instructions, but it is important that you know the equipment and how to use it. If you are just starting out and want to learn, the right experience for you is Beginner Riders Morocco, where, over the course of a week, we guide you from riding in the arena to equestrian trail riding.