HELP!! Saddle Therapy!

[amby]

Alrighty, so my parents got me an Awesome, New Synthetic mix Mahogany and black gaited saddle for my birthday!!! (go parents)
This thing only ways 19lbs!! Hooray, anywho it came in Monday and we put it on Casper with a new smart cinch. I of course had never used a smart cinch or done 3-point rigging, and I guess I didn't do it right, because
as I was lunging Casper to make sure it fit him well and he was comfortable with it before I put my butt in it, the cinch began to slip. I tried to pull him up, but by that time it was too late.....the saddle began to slip, it slipped under his belly, and he bucked and kicked until he successfully got it off.
This was on top of the fact that my (60 hours a week plus finals and rain) has kept him inside for a few days (ok almost a week) with little turnout time in the arena.
So now, he is HORRIFIED of anything on his back..
That day I let him cool down at liberty in the arena with the saddle out there. Made him look at it and face it. Saddled him back up and cinched it the regular way. My trainer rode him first then I did. He was AWESOME!!
So Tuesday I didn't have time to ride. But knew he was still nervous. SO I saddled him and tied him while I cleaned his stall. Then we walked around the barn a few times. Tonight I had a bit more time so I turned him out then brought him in and saddled him and walked him. The problem is everytime he sees a saddle pad he gets VERY nervous. Tonight he about jumped out of his skin!! Pulling back and snorting.
I just wonder what we can do to overcome this problem other than get another new pad and saddle!
You gals (and guys) have always been so supportive and helpful of me and my endevour to train my Crazy gaited boy. Thanks a ton.

[twnpnds]

It will take patience and positive reinforcement. Lots of it. When he stands still immediately reward him. Start with just the pad. Once he settles down with that, move to the saddle. This may take a few days. It doesn't do any good to rush things. It may be that when you saddled him and tied him he expected to be worked. And he let you know about it. Be sure he's actually afraid and not using this to be naughty. Tell him to quit in a firm voice and see what happens. If he stops and gives you that "uh oh, mom's onto me" look you'll know. Good luck.

[erikasbackyard]

Amby - I'd go back to "sacking him out". Tie horse. Take a saddle pad in one hand. You can pat the horse with the other. Rub him with the pad as if grooming. Gently sling the pad over his back and pull it off, dragging it so it comes off a little differently each time. Sling it over his neck, his back, his butt, swing it so it gently smacks his legs, swing it up under him to gently smack his belly, etc. The point is to get the message through to him that a saddle pad can touch him anywhere at all and won't hurt him. It's okay for him to snort and flinch and dance around and worry at first. DON"T STOP (unless he's completely hysterical). Just keep talking to him calmly. Go back to "grooming" him with it until he settles back down. I do all this with a saddle blanket and with a cotton leadrope, letting it wrap around their legs and all - my horses tend to be extremely sane about things touching their legs!

Good luck!
-E