How To Measure A Western Saddle To Fit Your Horse

Cut a sixteen inch piece of stiff wire that can be easily molded to fit your horse’s shape and retain that shape when removed from the horse. There are not any standards or definitions of specific tree sizes, but each saddle builder provides a description to give an idea of the size of horse the tree should fit.

How to Find the Right Saddle for Your Horse? Horses

Stand behind the horse and look through the gullet, or the hollow space over the horse’s spine, and make sure you can see all the way to the horse’s.

How to measure a western saddle to fit your horse. How do i measure a saddle gullet? How do you size and measure a saddle for proper fit? When it comes to measuring a western saddle seat size, simply measure from the base of the horn to the edge of the cantle.

To make sure you have the correct size saddle for your horse, place the saddle or saddle tree on your horse’s back. Locate the tape marked b, on the rock card you will see a notch cut out of the profile card place that notch on the tape at b. If the bar angle is too wide for the horse, it will pinch at the contact point.

To get the proper fit, measure the distance from the saddle “tree” to the horse’s shoulder to offer adequate protection to the horse’s back. Remember, a good way to figure your western saddle seat size is to take your english saddle seat size and subtract 2″. There should be two to three fingers space between the top of the wither and the gullet of the saddle.

The bars of the tree should lay completely flat on the back without any rocking, says oliver. Rigging is the method of safely securing your saddle to your horse for a snug fit. Find the card that fits the best.

The seat size on a western saddle should be: The bar angle and rock are also very important to fit. The main feature of the saddle which dictates whether it will fit your horse or not is the width of the gullet.

Step straight back from the middle of the horse’s left side just far enough that. Ideally your thighs shouldn’t touch the front of the. The numbers at the front of the card s represent the distance from b to a (just behind the scapula) in this case about 8 1/2″ for this horse.

Even if you have the luxury of an expert to help you fit your saddle, it’s important to learn how to measure a horse for a saddle. Very important is your heels need to be in line with your shoulder! Simply put, you want the bottom of the saddle to match the shape of your horse's back as closely as possible.

Sit in a saddle, on a horse, with your legs out of the stirrups, with your upper legs and knees as straight down as possible. With the saddle on without any pad, you should be able to assess the bars. To measure the post and the cap, use a straight edge to measure from the bottom of the horn to where the cap begins.

Gullet width is only one aspect of tree fit. But, to get the most out of your saddle, you need to find one that fits both you and your horse. Place the saddle on the horse’s bare back without a pad.

You have to measure the withers. If your legs are longer, you may need a larger seat than your measurement so that your knees don’t hit the front fenders. It’s best that you take a step back and take a close look at your horse while he is saddled to determine fit.

Mark the middle of the wire at the 8 inch point with a marker. You measure your western saddle’s gullet by stretching a tape measure from concho to concho across the front of the saddle directly below the pommel. To measure the cap, just measure from one side to the other.

Your saddle is too narrow if the front of the saddle sits high. If three or more fingers fit, the gullet is too narrow. Assess your age and demands to pick a seat that fits perfectly to your riding demands.

Place the saddle tree on your horse’s back. If you can place two or three fingers in between the horse’s gullet and your horse’s withers, that means it’s a good fit. He wants the saddle skirt to fit close to the horse's back.

To measure a saddle gullet, do the following. Place it over the wither 2″ behind the horse’s shoulder blade. The front of your saddle should be positioned behind your horse’s shoulder blade, allowing him freedom of movement.

This area is known as the “saddle pocket.”. If you can vertically fit your whole hand between the bottom of the gullet and the wither, the tree is probably too narrow. If fewer than two fingers fit, the gullet is too wide.

Build the saddle fitting measuring tool. You have some angles that are steep and narrow, while others are flat. Place your hand into the space between the saddle and your horse’s wither, using your fingers to measure the vertical space.

So i thought i’d make it a little easier for you, and teach you how to measure for a saddle. The gap should fit no more than two fingers to two and a half fingers. Gullet width or sometimes referred to as bar spread is the measurement 2 inches below the narrowest part.

The ideal angle for the bar, when viewed from the front of the horse, should match the slope of the area just behind the horse’s shoulder. If your horse has a narrow “a” shape, the saddle may be too wide. The bar angle is comparable to the pitch on a barn’s roof.

This can be a really challenging process! Consider these seat sizes carefully when buying a new saddle. To measure for both western and english saddles, evaluate your horse’s conformation.

Before you try to fit a western saddle, place a saddle pad on the horse's back. To help get in that position, over stretch your upper leg way back then relax. Fit the saddle for the horse, fit the saddle for the rider a saddle that doesn’t fit you properly will be uncomfortable to ride in and will throw you out of position.

Take a flexible wire that can be bent easily. Ensure the saddle does not block the horse’s front shoulder or extend beyond the last rib in their ribcage. My saddle is pinching, i need a wider tree.

To measure a western saddle you should measure the distance between the highest point of the cantle to the top of the gullet. Your saddle fits just right if it sits level on your horse’s back and the bars of the tree do not pinch. Stand your horse straight and square without a saddle with his left side facing you on level ground against a solid background of a contrasting color as shown in the picture below.

To narrow down your choices, you will still need some idea of the type, size and construction of the saddle you need. Coated wires such as romex or soldering wire work well. How do you buy a saddle that fits your horse?

A saddle is an important part of your riding experience.

Measuring the Rider for a Side Saddle White horse, Saddle