Step-by-step lesson
Untack + Care for Gear
Step-by-step untacking with help, plus simple gear care habits.
TackCareSafety12 min5 steps
Before you start
Complete these lessons first
What you need
Equipment
After Riding
- Cool down at walk
- Untack with help
- Quick groom
- Put gear away neatly
Step by step
Ask your instructor what order to remove tack for this horse.
Check: I know the order.
Remove the bridle with help and keep fingers away from teeth.
Check: Bit removed safely.
Loosen the girth, then remove the saddle and pad carefully.
Check: Nothing dropped.
Wipe sweat and dirt from tack with a cloth (ask before using soap).
Check: Tack wiped.
Hang tack neatly where your barn stores it.
Check: Everything put away.
Common mistakes
- Dropping the saddle
- Leaving tack on the ground
Coach cues
- Neat and safe.
Stop and get help if
- You can’t reach safely
- Horse is moving too much
Key terms
Next lessons
In the news
Recent Horse Academy stories on this topic.