diff --git a/doc/Guidebook.mn b/doc/Guidebook.mn
index 8b9f8e630..9e1a4c5c1 100644
--- a/doc/Guidebook.mn
+++ b/doc/Guidebook.mn
@@ -582,7 +582,9 @@ so no opportunity to answer `m' at that prompt).
 .lp ""
 A few other commands (eat food, offer sacrifice, apply tinning-kit) use
 the `m' prefix to skip checking for applicable objects on the floor
-and go straight to checking inventory.
+and go straight to checking inventory,
+or (for ``#loot'' to remove a saddle),
+skip containers and go straight to adjacent monsters.
 .lp F[yuhjklbn]
 Prefix:  fight a monster (even if you only guess one is there).
 .lp M[yuhjklbn]
@@ -945,6 +947,8 @@ Kick something.
 .lp #loot
 Loot a box or bag on the floor beneath you, or the saddle
 from a steed standing next to you.
+Precede with the `m' prefix to skip containers at your location
+and go directly to removing a saddle.
 .lp #monster
 Use a monster's special ability (when polymorphed into monster form).
 .lp #name
@@ -1303,13 +1307,21 @@ have the right equipment and skill.  Convincing a wild beast to let
 you saddle it up is difficult to say the least.  Many a dungeoneer
 has had to resort to magic and wizardry in order to forge the alliance.
 Once you do have the beast under your control however, you can
-easily climb in and out of the saddle with the `#ride' command.  Lead
+easily climb in and out of the saddle with the ``#ride'' command.  Lead
 the beast around the dungeon when riding, in the same manner as
 you would move yourself.  It is the beast that you will see displayed
 on the map.
 .pg
-Riding skill is managed by the `#enhance' command.  See the section
+Riding skill is managed by the ``#enhance'' command.  See the section
 on Weapon proficiency for more information about that.
+.pg
+Use the `a' (apply) command and pick a saddle in your inventory to
+attempt to put that saddle on an adjacent creature.  If successful,
+it will be transferred to that creature's inventory.
+.pg
+Use the ``#loot'' command while adjacent to a saddled creature to
+try to remove the saddle from that creature.  If successful, it will
+be transferred to your inventory.
 .hn 2
 Bones levels
 .pg
diff --git a/doc/Guidebook.tex b/doc/Guidebook.tex
index df4282d7e..cca387b25 100644
--- a/doc/Guidebook.tex
+++ b/doc/Guidebook.tex
@@ -702,7 +702,9 @@ so no opportunity to answer `{\tt m}' at that prompt).\\
 %.lp ""
 A few other commands (eat food, offer sacrifice, apply tinning-kit) use
 the `{\tt m}' prefix to skip checking for applicable objects on the floor
-and go straight to checking inventory.
+and go straight to checking inventory,
+or (for ``{\tt \#loot}'' to remove a saddle),
+skip containers and go straight to adjacent monsters.
 %.lp
 \item[\tb{F[yuhjklbn]}]
 Prefix:  fight a monster (even if you only guess one is there).
@@ -1136,6 +1138,8 @@ Kick something.
 \item[\tb{\#loot}]
 Loot a box or bag on the floor beneath you, or the saddle 
 from a steed standing next to you.
+Precede with the `{\tt m}' prefix to skip containers at your location
+and go directly to removing a saddle.
 %.lp
 \item[\tb{\#monster}]
 Use a monster's special ability (when polymorphed into monster form).
@@ -1591,15 +1595,25 @@ have the right equipment and skill.  Convincing a wild beast to let
 you saddle it up is difficult to say the least.  Many a dungeoneer
 has had to resort to magic and wizardry in order to forge the alliance.
 Once you do have the beast under your control however, you can
-easily climb in and out of the saddle with the `{\tt \#ride}' command.  Lead
+easily climb in and out of the saddle with the ``{\tt \#ride}'' command.  Lead
 the beast around the dungeon when riding, in the same manner as
 you would move yourself.  It is the beast that you will see displayed
 on the map.
 
 %.pg
-Riding skill is managed by the `{\tt \#enhance}' command.  See the section
+Riding skill is managed by the ``{\tt \#enhance}'' command.  See the section
 on Weapon proficiency for more information about that.
 
+%.pg
+Use the `{\tt a}' (apply) command and pick a saddle in your inventory to
+attempt to put that saddle on an adjacent creature.  If successful,
+it will be transferred to that creature's inventory.
+
+%.pg
+Use the ``{\tt \#loot}'' command while adjacent to a saddled creature to
+try to remove the saddle from that creature.  If successful, it will
+be transferred to your inventory.
+
 %.hn 2
 \subsection*{Bones levels}
 
diff --git a/src/cmd.c b/src/cmd.c
index 5dfb3dbc7..13086a9c2 100644
--- a/src/cmd.c
+++ b/src/cmd.c
@@ -3455,6 +3455,9 @@ int NDECL((*cmd_func));
            an item on floor or in invent; 'm' skips picking from floor
            (ie, inventory only) rather than request use of menu operation */
         || cmd_func == doeat || cmd_func == dosacrifice || cmd_func == doapply
+        /* 'm' for removing saddle from adjacent monster without checking
+           for containers at <u.ux,u.uy> */
+        || cmd_func == doloot
         /* 'm' prefix allowed for some extended commands */
         || cmd_func == doextcmd || cmd_func == doextlist)
         return TRUE;
diff --git a/src/pickup.c b/src/pickup.c
index 9be8c809f..1fccc65d6 100644
--- a/src/pickup.c
+++ b/src/pickup.c
@@ -1630,7 +1630,7 @@ doloot()
     char qbuf[BUFSZ];
     int prev_inquiry = 0;
     boolean prev_loot = FALSE;
-    int num_conts;
+    int num_conts = 0;
 
     abort_looting = FALSE;
 
@@ -1653,13 +1653,30 @@ doloot()
     cc.x = u.ux;
     cc.y = u.uy;
 
-lootcont:
+    if (iflags.menu_requested)
+        goto lootmon;
+
+ lootcont:
     if ((num_conts = container_at(cc.x, cc.y, TRUE)) > 0) {
         boolean anyfound = FALSE;
 
         if (!able_to_loot(cc.x, cc.y, TRUE))
             return 0;
 
+        if (Blind && !uarmg) {
+            /* if blind and without gloves, attempting to #loot at the
+               location of a cockatrice corpse is fatal before asking
+               whether to manipulate any containers */
+            for (nobj = sobj_at(CORPSE, cc.x, cc.y); nobj;
+                 nobj = nxtobj(nobj, CORPSE, TRUE))
+                if (will_feel_cockatrice(nobj, FALSE)) {
+                    feel_cockatrice(nobj, FALSE);
+                    /* if life-saved (or poly'd into stone golem),
+                       terminate attempt to loot */
+                    return 1;
+                }
+        }
+
         if (num_conts > 1) {
             /* use a menu to loot many containers */
             int n, i;
@@ -1722,9 +1739,11 @@ lootcont:
     } else if (IS_GRAVE(levl[cc.x][cc.y].typ)) {
         You("need to dig up the grave to effectively loot it...");
     }
+
     /*
      * 3.3.1 introduced directional looting for some things.
      */
+ lootmon:
     if (c != 'y' && mon_beside(u.ux, u.uy)) {
         if (!get_adjacent_loc("Loot in what direction?",
                               "Invalid loot location", u.ux, u.uy, &cc))