1. Offer water at
the cool out water tank If your horse starts out thirsty, he will take
much longer to cool out after your ride.
2. Check on the wall over your horse's bridle for any special instructions (do not tie, etc.)
3. Groom (20 minutes)
a) curry
b) hard brush and
soft brush (do not brush tail or forelock)
c) pick feet
4. Breastplate,
martingale, or neckstrap (if used)
5. Saddle pads,
saddle, and girth
6. Your helmet (and
crop if you need one)
7. Bridle
a) reins around throat
b) remove halter
c) bridle on
d) attach martingale (if used)
(Horses MAY NOT
be tied to the hitching post after the bridle is on -- horses may be
tied while wearing their halters only!)
8. Check girth
9. Adjust stirrups
UNTACKING PROCEDURES
1. Bridle off/halter on:
a) First take reins out of running martingale
if one was used.
b) Keep reins around the throat while you unbuckle
the throat latch and noseband.
c) Pull the crown forward, over the ears, and
let the bit slip slowly out of the horse's mouth;
hang the bridle on your arm.
d) Put halter on; take reins over the horse's head; and snap the lead rope back
on the halter.
2. Saddle off:
a) Unbuckle breastplate attachment to saddle
if breastplate was used.
b) Unbuckle left (elastic) side of girth then
right side and remove saddle, pad, and girth
c) Bring breastplate or martingale back over
horse's head and hang on top of the bridle
3. Cool out and
groom your horse (see below for details.)
4. Wash the bit.
5. Put tack and
brushes away properly and neatly in the tack room:
a) Hang the girth by the end that is NOT elastic
b) Hang the bridle with the noseband and browband
facing out
c) Hang the breastplate/martingale on top of
the bridle
COOL OUT
Offer water 20 sips
at a time. Walk around the barn. Offer water again. Continue water/
walk/water until horse is cool and not drinking anymore.
GROOM
1. Curry,
brush, and/or hose or sponge (ask). Be sure to remove the sweat mark
from the saddle, girth, and breastplate areas.
2. Pick feet again.
3. Tell your horse
"Thank You" and put him back where he belongs:
4. Return to the
stall: Walk into the stall with the horse and turn the horse around
to face the door. Remove the halter and leadrope. Lock the stall grate
or close the stall door.
5. Return to pasture
or paddock: Walk into the turnout area with the horse and turn him to
face the gate. Leave halter on and unclip the leadrope. Step back out
of the gate and lock.
6. Put all grooming
tools and tack away before leaving the barn.
