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Saddling a Horse: What to Do—and What Not to Do

Cowboy in a white straw hat and sponsor shirt lifts a western roping saddle toward a dark horse in a barn aisle
Team Roping JournalJan 6, 2026

Every detail matters, and saddling your horse is no exception. In this video tip, brought to you by Cactus Ropes, Miles Baker walks through how he saddles his horses and why it matters to do it a certain way.

“I’m a stickler about how the saddle sits on a horse’s back and how it is on the pad; how they’re cinched up depending on what they’re doing. I don’t want them sitting there cinched up tight all the time if they’re not doing anything, and I don’t want my saddle loose and rolling off of them if you’re ponying them around or leading them or if they’re on the walker.”

About Miles Baker:

Roping.com coach Miles Baker builds some of the best horses in the roping industry, ringing a bell at horse sales and winning big at the rope horse futurities. His ranch-raised horsemanship is why the King of the Cowboys, Trevor Brazile, relies on Baker for his in- and out-of-the-arena training help.

About Cactus Ropes:

For more than 25 years, Cactus Ropes has led the industry with high-quality products designed by ropers, for ropers. With input from legends like Trevor Brazile, Cactus blends tradition and innovation to craft the best ropes on the market.

This article was originally published on Team Roping Journal. View original article →

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