How should you introduce a young horse to a saddle and bridle on the ground?

Introducing tack to a young horse is a process that should unfold gradually and positively, with each new piece of equipment introduced only after the horse is completely comfortable with what came before. Rushing this process is one of the most common causes of horses that are cinchy, head-shy, or resistant to bridling — problems that can persist for years if the negative association formed during the first introduction is strong enough. Desensitization to the saddle pad should come first. The pad should be rubbed all over the horse's body, particularly in sensitive areas like the flank and belly, until the horse shows complete relaxation. Many young horses are startled by the feel of something on their back, so allowing them to smell, investigate, and then feel the pad in progressive stages prevents the startle and flight response that can make a horse dangerous when the actual saddle is introduced. The saddle itself should be introduced with the stirrups secured and the cinch draped over the seat so nothing swings or flaps unexpectedly. The handler should set the saddle gently on the horse's back, watch the horse's reaction, and be prepared to remove it and start again if anxiety is high. Once the horse accepts the weight of the saddle calmly, the cinch can be brought under and fastened — very loosely at first, snugged gradually over several sessions, and never tightened suddenly to a working cinch tension in the first session. The handler should then move the horse forward and allow him to feel the weight and movement of the saddle before any additional stimuli are added. Bridling introduces pressure around the ears and in the mouth — two highly sensitive areas. The bit should be at a comfortable height in the mouth without wrinkles, and the horse should be taught to accept the bit willingly rather than having it forced between his teeth. Many trainers introduce a bit in a halter first, allowing the horse to carry it loose and explore it without the pressure of a full bridle. Taking the time to introduce tack this way produces a horse that is willing, relaxed, and easy to saddle and bridle for the rest of his life.