Principles of putting on and taking off tack — City & Guilds Limited Occupational Qualification Animal Care & Veterinary Revision

    Putting on and taking off tack correctly is essential for horse welfare and rider safety. This topic covers the principles of fitting and removing equipmen

    Topic Synopsis

    Putting on and taking off tack correctly is essential for horse welfare and rider safety. This topic covers the principles of fitting and removing equipment like saddles and bridles.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Principles of putting on and taking off tack

    CITY & GUILDS LIMITED
    vocational

    This subtopic covers the essential practical skills of correctly fitting and removing equine tack, including bridles, saddles, and associated equipment. Learners must understand the sequence of actions, safety checks, and the importance of horse handling to prevent injury and equipment damage. Mastery of these procedures is fundamental for anyone working in a professional yard environment.

    10
    Learning Outcomes
    14
    Assessment Guidance
    16
    Key Skills
    9
    Key Terms
    18
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Work-based Horse Care
    City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Work-based Horse Care and Riding
    City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Work-based Horse Care
    City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Work-based Horse Care

    Topic Overview

    The City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Work-based Horse Care is an introductory qualification designed for individuals starting their career in the equine industry. It covers fundamental skills such as stable management, feeding, grooming, and basic health care, providing a solid foundation for further study or employment. This qualification is work-based, meaning you'll learn practical skills in a real yard environment, making it highly relevant for roles like stable hand or groom.

    Understanding horse care is crucial for ensuring the welfare of these animals. The course emphasises safety for both the handler and the horse, covering topics like recognising signs of ill health, correct handling techniques, and maintaining a clean, safe stable. By mastering these basics, you'll be equipped to support the daily operations of a livery yard, riding school, or competition yard, and you'll be prepared for progression to Level 2 qualifications.

    This qualification fits into the wider Animal Care and Veterinary sector by providing a stepping stone into equine care. It aligns with industry standards set by organisations like the British Horse Society (BHS) and prepares you for roles that require practical competence. Whether you aim to become a yard manager, riding instructor, or equine therapist, this certificate is your first step towards a rewarding career with horses.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Stable management: daily routines including mucking out, bedding types (straw, shavings, rubber mats), and maintaining a clean, safe environment to prevent respiratory issues and injuries.
    • →Feeding and nutrition: understanding forage (hay, haylage), concentrates (hard feed), and the importance of a balanced diet based on the horse's workload, age, and condition. Know how to adjust feed for weight management.
    • →Grooming and tack care: correct use of grooming tools (dandy brush, body brush, hoof pick) to maintain coat health and check for injuries. Cleaning and fitting tack (saddle, bridle) to ensure comfort and safety.
    • →Basic health care: recognising vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration), signs of colic, lameness, and common ailments like thrush or sweet itch. Knowing when to call a vet.
    • →Safe handling and behaviour: approaching horses safely, leading techniques, tying up, and understanding herd dynamics to minimise risk of injury.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Know how to put on and take off tack, Know how to work safely
    • Know how to put on and take off tack, Know how to work safely
    • Identify by name all parts of a bridle and saddle.
    • Demonstrate a safe approach and correct restraint of the horse prior to tacking up.
    • Apply tack in the correct sequence, ensuring horse comfort at each stage.
    • Adjust bridle and saddle to fit the individual horse securely without causing pressure points.
    • Recognise signs of ill-fitting or damaged tack that could compromise safety.
    • Remove tack safely, maintaining control of the horse and equipment.
    • Explain the importance of cleaning and correct storage of tack after use.
    • Know how to put on and take off tack, Know how to work safely

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Demonstrate correct sequential steps for putting on a bridle, including holding the headpiece, guiding the bit gently, and securing the throatlatch and noseband with appropriate tension.
    • Show safe and correct technique for saddling: place saddle forward and slide back, ensure even girth tightening from the near side, and check for pinching or wrinkles under the girth.
    • When removing tack, unfasten girth on the off side first, then remove saddle carefully without dropping, and unbridle by slipping over the ears without pulling, ensuring the horse's head is controlled.
    • Maintain safe working practices at all times: horse tied up or held, equipment checked for faults before and after use, and personal protective equipment worn as per yard policy.
    • Award credit for demonstrating a systematic sequence: checking girth tension, positioning the saddle, securing the girth progressively, and final safety checks before mounting.
    • Award credit for safe handling: approaching the horse calmly, working from the near side, and maintaining control of the head while fitting the bridle.
    • Award credit for correctly identifying and describing the parts of common tack items (saddle, bridle, martingale) and their functions.
    • Award credit for checking all tack for damage or wear before use and explaining why this is critical for safety.
    • Award credit for correctly naming and pointing to at least 6 parts of the bridle and 4 parts of the saddle.
    • Look for calm, confident handling; candidate should approach from the shoulder, avoiding sudden movements.
    • Checks tack for cracks, stitching faults, or stretched leather before use and verbalises findings.
    • Ensures saddle pad is positioned correctly and saddle is placed gently, not dropped.
    • Gradually tightens girth on both sides, re-checking after walking the horse forward.
    • When removing tack, candidate unfastens all buckles neatly and lifts saddle clear of the withers.
    • Identify different types of tack and their purposes.
    • Demonstrate correct procedure for putting on a saddle and bridle.
    • Demonstrate correct procedure for taking off tack.
    • Explain safety checks before and after tacking up.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡When being observed, verbalize your actions as you perform them to demonstrate underpinning knowledge, e.g., stating why you check the bit temperature in cold weather.
    • 💡Practice the full routine repeatedly until the sequence becomes automatic; hesitations or incorrect order can be noted by the assessor.
    • 💡Always conduct a final safety check before leading off: ensure the girth is tight enough to prevent saddle slip and that no straps are dangling or twisted.
    • 💡Always demonstrate a dynamic risk assessment before approaching the horse, verbally noting any potential hazards to the assessor.
    • 💡Narrate your actions during the practical assessment to show understanding of why each step is performed, not just how.
    • 💡Prepare for oral questions on tack fitting principles, such as the rule of thumb for girth tightness (two fingers flat between girth and horse) and signs of poor saddle fit.
    • 💡Practice smooth, quiet movements to keep the horse relaxed, as this reflects competency in handling.
    • 💡Practise the action sequence methodically until it becomes automatic; narrate steps during assessment to show understanding.
    • 💡Always position yourself on the near (left) side unless directed otherwise, and maintain a steady hand on the horse.
    • 💡Secure all loose straps in keepers and runners to present a tidy, professional finish.
    • 💡Before submitting for assessment, double-check that the browband is level, the throatlatch has four fingers' clearance, and the girth is evenly tightened.
    • 💡Practice on a horse or dummy to build confidence.
    • 💡Always work calmly and quietly around the horse.
    • 💡Remember to clean tack after use.
    • 💡When answering questions on stable management, always mention health and safety first. For example, when mucking out, state that you wear gloves and a mask to avoid dust and bacteria, and that you check for hazards like broken boards or loose nails.
    • 💡For feeding questions, use specific terms like 'ad lib hay' and 'concentrate feed' and explain why you'd choose one over another. Show you understand the importance of feeding by weight, not volume, and mention the risks of sudden diet changes.
    • 💡In practical assessments, demonstrate a systematic approach: start with grooming from head to tail, check for heat or swelling in legs, and always tie the horse with a quick-release knot. Examiners look for confidence and consistency in routine.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Tightening the girth too quickly or unevenly, causing discomfort and potential behavioral issues.
    • Forcing the bit into the horse's mouth rather than using gentle encouragement (e.g., inserting thumb to open mouth).
    • Removing the saddle by pulling it off over the horse's back without first loosening the girth on the off side, risking damage or startling the horse.
    • Not checking tack condition for wear such as cracked leather or loose stitching before use.
    • Placing the saddle too far forward onto the withers, causing pressure points and restricted shoulder movement.
    • Forgetting to remove the halter and lead rope before securing the bridle, which can lead to entanglement and panic.
    • Over-tightening the girth in one go instead of incrementally, potentially bruising the horse's sternum and causing resistance.
    • Neglecting to run stirrups up and girth loose when tacking up, leading to the saddle slipping or the horse being startled by dangling stirrups.
    • Confusing the browband and noseband when assembling the bridle.
    • Forgetting to run the stirrups up before girthing, causing discomfort.
    • Threading the reins incorrectly through the bit rings.
    • Removing the saddle without unfastening the girth fully on both sides, risking scratches to the horse.
    • Failing to observe the horse's ears and expression for signs of stress during the process.
    • Tightening girth too quickly causing discomfort.
    • Putting bridle on incorrectly, twisting the bit.
    • Forgetting to check for rubbing or pressure points.
    • Misconception: Horses should be fed immediately before exercise. Correction: Feeding a large meal within an hour of work can cause colic or digestive upset. Allow at least one hour after a meal before riding, and provide hay or water only during short breaks.
    • Misconception: A clean stable means no bedding is needed. Correction: Bedding is essential for comfort, insulation, and absorbing urine. Even in a clean stable, a deep bed of straw or shavings prevents sores and respiratory issues from ammonia fumes.
    • Misconception: All horses need the same amount of feed. Correction: Feed requirements vary based on breed, age, workload, and metabolism. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and laminitis, while underfeeding causes weight loss and poor performance. Always assess body condition score (BCS) and adjust accordingly.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •No formal prerequisites are required for this Level 1 qualification, but a basic understanding of horse behaviour and safety is beneficial. You should be comfortable around horses and willing to learn practical skills in a yard environment.
    • •If you have completed any introductory animal care courses or have volunteer experience at a stable, this will help you grasp concepts more quickly. However, the course is designed for beginners, so all essential knowledge will be taught from scratch.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Know how to put on and take off tack, Know how to work safely
    • Know how to put on and take off tack, Know how to work safely
    • Tack component identification
    • Safe horse restraint and approach
    • Correct fitting and adjustment
    • Equipment condition checking
    • Sequential application and removal
    • Horse welfare considerations
    • Know how to put on and take off tack, Know how to work safely

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