• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Murdoch Method

Horseback Riding Instruction Redefined

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • About
    • About Wendy Murdoch
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Reviews
  • Clinics
    • 2023 Clinic Schedule
    • Types of Clinics
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Clinic Request Form
    • Participant Feedback
    • Private Intensives
  • SURE FOOT
    • SURE FOOT Pads – Where to Start?
    • BUY SURE FOOT
    • Register Pads
    • SURE FOOT Videos
    • SURE FOOT Case Studies
    • SURE FOOT FAQs
    • Find A Practitioner
    • Online Courses
  • Resources
    • Murdoch Minutes
    • Free Video Lessons
    • In Wendy’s Library
    • Articles
    • Interviews
    • Recommended Books & DVDS
    • Blog
    • Follow Wendy’s Articles
    • Links
  • Shop
    • SURE FOOT Equine Pads
    • Webinars with Wendy
    • From Wendy Murdoch
    • Health
    • Rare Books
    • The Book Case
    • DVDs
    • Rider Aids
  • Safari
  • Contact
    • My Account
    • Checkout
    • Cart
Home / Murdoch Minutes / Murdoch Minute No. 70 Tightening Your Girth While Mounted

Murdoch Minute No. 70 Tightening Your Girth While Mounted

by Wendy Murdoch

Do you struggle to tighten your girth while mounted? Do you feel to insecure while in the process? Do you have to get off, or use both hands or find someone to help you to get the job done or look for someone to help you? Here’s a quick tip to make sure you can safely tighten your girth while mounted.

Photo 1. The rider’s foot in in the stirrup with her leg over the flap. She is tucking the flap underneath her thigh while keeping both reins in her other hand on the horse’s neck.

Next time you ride notice what you do to tighten your girth. Do you take your foot out of the stirrup? Do you have to use both hands thereby dropping the reins on the horse’s neck? Does your horse move around when you attempt to tighten the girth? These situations can be dangerous if something startles your horse because you are not in a secure position. Tightening the girth in traditional military fashion can alleviate all of these problems.

While this may seem a bit fussy I think it is extremely important that every rider using a long girth in an English saddle be able to properly tighten the girth while mounted. From my perspective it is a question of safety not simply tradition. Yet I see people fumbling with both hands, dropping the reins and unable to tighten the girth one-handed. This is an important technique to practice and should be used whenever you are mounted so that it becomes habit.

Photo 2. Grasp the billet with your hand fingers pointing towards the ground.

Keep your foot in the stirrup to safely tighten your girth while mounted. Take your leg in front of the flap. This is the safest way because if the horse should startle or jump forward your foot is still in the stirrup and you can quickly return your leg to its normal position. If your foot is out of the stirrup or you are using two hands there is a much greater likelihood of becoming unseated. Next follow the steps outlined below:

Place both reins in the hand opposite to the side being tightened.

Shorten the reins so that you can press your fist into the horse’s neck while maintaining a light contact on the horse’s mouth. This way you will feel if he starts to fidget and can correct him without having to make a big move. With your free hand lift the flap and tuck it under your thigh so that it stays out of your way. One buckle at a time take ahold of the billet strap with your free hand, thumb towards the billet above the buckle and fingers below. Pull up on the billet until the buckle releases. Slide your index finger up to seat the buckle in the hole above. Replace the flap and return your leg to its normal position

Photo 3. As you pull up on the billet strap use your index finger to seat the buckle in the hole.

Use this Murdoch Minute whenever you tighten your girth to form a good habit and keep you safe. It will take some practice at first and may feel a bit awkward until you get used to using this method. However it will serve you well in the long run. It only takes one time for your horse to startle while tightening the girth to realize the value of practicing this technique and always remember to – enjoy the ride!

Wendy Murdoch resides in Washington, VA. She teaches riders of all levels and disciplines how to improve the horse’s performance by improving their body position. On-line join Wendy’s Facebook group Fans of the Murdoch Method and find more articles, blog and her new book 50 5-Minute Fixes to Improve Your Riding, based on the Murdoch Minutes at www.murdochmethod.com.

Filed Under: Murdoch Minutes

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Primary Sidebar

Your Cart

Article Categories

  • Courses & Workshops
  • Horseback Riding Video Lessons
  • Horseback Safari
  • In Wendy's Library
  • Interviews
  • Murdoch Minutes
  • Past Event Archive
  • Podcast
  • Related Equine Articles
  • Reviews
  • SURE FOOT Case Studies
  • SURE FOOT Videos
  • Tails from the Trail
  • Top News
  • Uncategorized

Performance Resources

  • Downloadable Products
  • DVDs
  • FREE Downloads
  • From Wendy Murdoch
  • Health
  • Online Courses
  • Rare Books
  • Rider Aids
  • SURE FOOT Equine Pads
  • The Book Case
  • Webinars with Wendy

Quick Links

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Register SURE FOOT
  • My Account
  • Checkout
  • Cart

Footer

RIDE WITH WENDY MURDOCH

ALL ABOUT SURE FOOT

STABILIZATION! IT’S AT OUR CORE


Copyright © 2023 The Murdoch Method LLC
All trademarks, photographs, and text on this website are the property of The Murdoch Method, LLC.
Any unauthorized use is expressly prohibited.
Privacy + Terms & Conditions

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT