Saddles are a pain in the ass, right? But if you know what to do and have a few tips, they are actually pretty easy to put on. The first step is getting the horse clean and dry before you start. Then, use the billet straps to attach the back of the horse saddle first. Don't overdo it with your stirrups either—you don't want them too long or too short (and this is where most people mess up). Lastly: don't rush! Take your time and get comfortable with having a saddle on for as long as possible!

Make sure the horse is clean.

Make sure the horse is clean. Wipe them down with a damp cloth, and make sure you don't get water in their ears or eyes.
Put on your protective gear: safety glasses, rubber gloves, long-sleeved shirt (for your own protection), and pant legs that can cover boots if needed.

If you've tried all of the above and it still doesn't work, then check to make sure that your billet straps are tight enough. If they're not, then loosen them a bit more until they are—this will take some trial and error on your part since each saddle is different in size and weightThe next thing you'll want to do is put the girth on. This strap goes around your horse's belly and holds it in place, keeping the saddle from slipping..

Put the front cinch on first.

The first thing you'll want to do is put the front cinch on. This strap goes around the belly of your horse and holds it in place, keeping the saddle from slipping.

If your stirrups are too long, make sure they won't drag on the ground when you walk your horse. If they are too short, adjust them so that they don't hit the horse's belly or chest when he moves.

Wear your protective gear, and wash the horse with a stiff brush. This will help remove any dirt or dead skin cells that are present. Gently scrub the horse's head and legs, too. Once you're done with this step, rinse the horse off using a hose or bucket of clean waterNext, check to make sure that the saddle is sitting on top of your horse’s back—not sunk down into it. If you feel as though you are sitting on top of a bean bag chair, then the saddle needs to be moved up (or your horse needs to gain weight)..

Use the billet straps to attach the back of the saddle.

Loosen the cinch, which is a strap that goes around your horse's belly.
Put one billet strap on each side of the saddle and tighten them as much as you can without causing pain to your horse (or yourself).
Make sure that both sides are even, then check for straightness again by looking at them from above or below your horse's backside (or sides). You should see an even line across both saddles if they're not crooked or uneven in any way!
If this step still isn't working out after you've checked twice, then try loosening some more until it does fit properly again—you may need to take off some weight from one part or another first before getting everything balanced out perfectly!
Don't have too much or too little material in the stirrups.

The rider's feet should be centered on the horse's shoulder, and the stirrups should be adjusted so that they are the same length. If one of your stirrup leathers is longer than another, adjust it so that both are even with each other (not too long or short). Also make sure there's an equal amount of space between each side of your foot and its corresponding piece of leather—this keeps you from feeling cramped while riding.

The most important thing to remember when fitting a saddle is that you should always be able to keep your balance and control over your horse. You should also make sure that you're wearing adequate clothing when going out to ride so that if he does get spooked or bucked off of him, it won't be too embarrassing for both of you!

The final thing to remember is that if you're riding this for the first time with a saddle, it's best to take it slowly at first. Start off on a trail where there aren't too many people around so you can practice getting used to how the saddle feels on your horse.

Get comfortable with your horse having a saddle on for as long as possible.

One of the most important steps in fitting a saddle is getting comfortable with your horse having a saddle on for as long as possible. This can be achieved by spending time with your horse, gently walking and riding him around in circles so that he gets used to being led by you. You should also make sure that you're wearing adequate clothing when going out to ride so that if he does get spooked or bucked off of him, it won't be too embarrassing for both of you!

Another important step is to make sure that your horse has had plenty of time to get used to the feel of the saddle on his back. This can be done by taking him out for rides in a halter-less bridle so that he doesn't feel restricted by anything around his head and neck.