I was watching an RFD TV clinician the other day, Horsemanship 101. The clinician wanted the bridle put on the typical way...

Lift headstall with left hand up to the right hand resting on the poll, bring the bit down under the jaw, then lift bit from under the jaw to the mouth, gently opening the mouth with your thumb, place bit in mouth. Slide headstall over right ear first then put over left ear.

Most of the students looked like complete novices and very clumsy. Poor horses!

Anyway, I'd have a problem doing this exactly as stated because I find it so much easier to put the left ear first then the right ear. I always thought I couldn't do it right because I'm vertically challenged. Does anyone else have a problem with this too? I've heard to do right then left to avoid poking the horse in the eye with the bridle hardware. But come on; is it really THAT important to do it exactly that way? You can poke the horse in the eye just pulling the headstall up to the poll if you're not careful.

Something I've been told NOT TO DO when bridling is push the ear backwards when putting on the headstall, always bring the ear forward. That didn't get mentioned as the horses' ears were bent backward or in half by the students.

Another clinician I watch always puts the saddle on from the oft side. And still another clinician recommends a Latino on both sides for easier adjustment.

Some of these guys are very rigid in how they want things done others are offering it as a suggestion. Obviously they do what they have found works best for them but are some of them just being a little anal-retentive????