25/11/2025
The first saddling for this outside filly.
This is the only time I will 'allow' a horse to buck so to speak. Regardless of how much groundwork/preparation goes in, it's perfectly normal for them to buck on their first saddling, it's something new and unfamiliar on their backs. Some do buck, some don't, however if I had to choose between the two I would prefer the bucking on their first saddling, it's an honest reaction and the only way they can learn the correct behaviour is by showing them that regardless of what they think about the saddle they still need to keep moving forward.
I always introduce a saddle pad and surcingle before the saddle so they are already introduced to girth pressure which makes it a bit easier to transition to the saddle.
Regardless of how they react it's crucial to focus on forward movement and end the session with them confidently moving forward (at all) gaits without reacting - this is the attitude that I will then take and expect from the second saddling onwards, and if they go to buck I will instead make them think and work to avoid bucking becoming a habit. I always leave the horses to decompress afterwards with the saddle on so they learn it's not something to be afraid of and they can relax with it still on their backs.
Often the best lessons are the ones horses teach themselves.
