Ekidemy

The saddle

The pommel is the front of the saddle, the seat the part you sit on, the cantle its raised back. On each side, under the pommel, the skirt covers the place where the stirrup leather hangs, and the large saddle flap runs down along the rider’s leg. Underneath, the panel — two padded cushions — rests on the horse’s back. The stirrup iron hangs from the stirrup leather, and the girth passes under the belly. Under the saddle, a numnah or saddle pad protects the back.

The bridle

The bridle — at this level, a snaffle bridle — is the headgear you ride in. The headpiece goes behind the ears, the browband in front of them, across the forehead; the throatlatch buckles under the throat, without pressing. The cheekpieces run down the cheeks and hold the bit, the piece of metal that sits in the mouth. The noseband goes round the nose, and the reins connect the bit to your hands.

Taking off the bridle and saddle

1. 1Headcollar round the neckAt the tie ring or in the stable, first buckle the headcollar round his neck, like a collar: your pony stays secured while you take off the bridle.
2. 2Take off the bridleUndo the throatlatch, then the noseband. Gently ease the headpiece and the reins over the ears, and wait for the pony to drop the bit by himself: don’t pull it against his teeth.
3. 3Put the headcollar back onPut his headcollar on properly and tie him up.
4. 4Undo the girthThe stirrups are run up. On the left side, unbuckle the girth and lower it gently so that it doesn’t bang against his forelegs. Go round to the other side, safely, and lay it over the seat.
5. 5Take off the saddleCome back to the left, take the saddle by the pommel and the cantle and lift it off with its numnah, without dragging it across his back. Carry it on your forearm, the pommel in the crook of your elbow.

Washing the bit and putting away

• Wash the bit straight away in clean water, rubbing it with a sponge or your fingers to remove the saliva and grass, then dry it. Try not to soak the leather.
• Put the saddle away on its saddle rack, in your pony’s place. Never on the floor; if you really must, stand it on its pommel against a wall, with the numnah underneath to protect it.
• Hang up the bridle by the headpiece on its hook, reins looped up so that they don’t trail on the floor.
• Hang the numnah up to dry in the right place, damp side out.
• Leave the tack room tidy, everything in its place, for the next rider.

Putting on a bridle, saddling up on your own and cleaning the saddle are on the Galop 2 programme.