saddling

Question
Whenever we saddle up my horse, he tries to bite anyone around him.  He also bucked once to get the saddle off.  Do you have any idea of what could be bothering him?  Once the saddle is on he's fine.  We think it may be because he hasn't been ridden in a while.  Thanks for the help.

Answer
Hi Adrian!

I own several horses that bite at the air and turn around to bite at me during cinching! HAHA!  AND I'M THE TRAINER!!

They just don't like the tightening of the girth/cinch part of saddling up.  And most likely they never will.  But, you can make it a little easier for them.  Tighten slowly, a little at  time, taking a few seconds break between each pull.  Give them a pat and say a kind word to reassure them between pulls.

Some people have "I need a TIGHT saddle" syndrome and they overtighten to a painful degree.  You do not know your own strength and underestimate the sensitivity of a horse's belly.  So, really, think about it....do you go that extra one or two holes?  If the horse is not a bucker or rears or does anything bad (you said he was fine after the saddling and during the riding) don't go that extra-crazy tight hole.

Give him a sugar lump at the end of the whole routine and say thank you.  He'll bite at the air and such probably always but, at least he'll know you love him!

Good luck and Have fun and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange