I always got to my lesson to find the horse all tacked up and waiting, I found this very disapointing. I just asked if it was ok for me to arrive early to learn how to tack up, and that was fine, I watched the first couple of times and then had a go under supervision until I could do it myself. They didnt charge me for the time. You wont lose anything by asking.
However, when I did a loan and when I got my own pony all the tack was a bit different and I had to have help again to work out where all the bits and bobs went. But the owner was really helpful in showing me knowing I was a complete novice, and YO still has to check that my bridle is put back together the right way as I seem to be a tack numpty. :wink: