I started riding about a month ago, and I'm doing very well on the horse. I can already sit the trot without a single bump (if I'm not distracted.) My problem, however, is off of the horse. When I got to talk up and off, I've got trouble with the saddle. My first problem is my noodle arms, which I'm working on. The second, I can't really fix. I'm too short! When I try to swing the saddle over the horses back, it won't make it. I am physically too short. Any tips? Right now I've got a step stool, but I don't want that as a permanent solution.
I'm too short!
- Thread starter Kimmy.Platinum
- Start date
How tall are you and the horse? It does get easier with practice, im 5'4" amd can manage a 17.2 if I need to but personally prefer 14-16hh because its easier to hop on and off if I need to.
It is really hard at first but there is a knack to saddling up/unsaddling in my experience. I'm taller than you but had a very tall horse and used to tack him up with a side-saddle (it was huge and heavy). I found that it got easier as my arms got stronger and I developed a technique to swing up and over above my head!
I'd suggest carrying on with the step for now as you get the hang of it and then every now and then do it from the floor. If there are really tall horses there you could watch how people tack them up or you could ask to practise on a smaller horse if possible?
Are you riding on an English or Western saddle?
I'd suggest carrying on with the step for now as you get the hang of it and then every now and then do it from the floor. If there are really tall horses there you could watch how people tack them up or you could ask to practise on a smaller horse if possible?
Are you riding on an English or Western saddle?
I would just continue with the step stool myself but then despite the fact I'm quite strong I have physical limitations these days that won't allow me to lift anything too heavy. Either that or (like me) get a smaller horse 
I'm riding Western, and our saddles aren't exactly the lighter of all of them.
There is a Leslie Desmond video for children (old now) which includes the kids putting on a Western saddle - I would have a look on you tube and see if you can find a video that might help you. Even with a synthetic Western saddle, I find it very hard and to tell the truth it was a reason I decided against buying a quarter horse and riding Western in the UK.
My best advice to you is to ask for help - not just having someone else do it for you, but to stand with you, guiding you and taking some of the weight. There was an elderly American lady on here long ago who could no longer saddle a her RS horse and I think she may have given up learning for that reason which made me sad.
That is why you should persevere. And look for ways to manage.
My best advice to you is to ask for help - not just having someone else do it for you, but to stand with you, guiding you and taking some of the weight. There was an elderly American lady on here long ago who could no longer saddle a her RS horse and I think she may have given up learning for that reason which made me sad.
That is why you should persevere. And look for ways to manage.
Get a smaller horse 
In all honesty im 4'9 and i rideanything from 13-15hh and i used to feel the same with tje bigger horses, like my arms physically werent capable. Rugging was a bit of an issuefor me. Gradually it gets better though. I ride english so the saddles are lighter too which helps.
As with anything in riding, your muscle memory will slowly build and you will eventually find it easier and easier.
In all honesty im 4'9 and i rideanything from 13-15hh and i used to feel the same with tje bigger horses, like my arms physically werent capable. Rugging was a bit of an issuefor me. Gradually it gets better though. I ride english so the saddles are lighter too which helps.
As with anything in riding, your muscle memory will slowly build and you will eventually find it easier and easier.
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