How To Measure A Western Saddle To Fit Your Horse

This area is known as the “saddle pocket.”. 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.

Western Saddle Placement. Why getting the position of your

Assess your age and demands to pick a seat that fits perfectly to your riding demands.

How to measure a western saddle to fit your horse. The main feature of the saddle which dictates whether it will fit your horse or not is the width of the gullet. 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. To measure a western saddle you should measure the distance between the highest point of the cantle to the top of the gullet.

To measure for both western and english saddles, evaluate your horse’s conformation. To measure the cap, just measure from one side to the other. 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.

Ensure the saddle does not block the horse’s front shoulder or extend beyond the last rib in their ribcage. Build the saddle fitting measuring tool. 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.

You have some angles that are steep and narrow, while others are flat. Take a flexible wire that can be bent easily. How do you size and measure a saddle for proper fit?

To help get in that position, over stretch your upper leg way back then relax. How do i measure a saddle gullet? My saddle is pinching, i need a wider tree.

If fewer than two fingers fit, the gullet is too wide. 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. To measure the post and the cap, use a straight edge to measure from the bottom of the horn to where the cap begins.

To measure a saddle gullet, do the following. When it comes to measuring a western saddle seat size, simply measure from the base of the horn to the edge of the cantle. 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.

The seat size on a western saddle should be: You have to measure the withers. Place it over the wither 2″ behind the horse’s shoulder blade.

Ideally your thighs shouldn’t touch the front of the. 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. Gullet width is only one aspect of tree fit.

Simply put, you want the bottom of the saddle to match the shape of your horse's back as closely as possible. If you can vertically fit your whole hand between the bottom of the gullet and the wither, the tree is probably too narrow. He wants the saddle skirt to fit close to the horse's back.

To make sure you have the correct size saddle for your horse, place the saddle or saddle tree on your horse’s back. If your legs are longer, you may need a larger seat than your measurement so that your knees don’t hit the front fenders. This can be a really challenging process!

With the saddle on without any pad, you should be able to assess the bars. Find the card that fits the best. A saddle is an important part of your riding experience.

Place your hand into the space between the saddle and your horse’s wither, using your fingers to measure the vertical space. Remember, a good way to figure your western saddle seat size is to take your english saddle seat size and subtract 2″. It’s best that you take a step back and take a close look at your horse while he is saddled to determine fit.

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. If the bar angle is too wide for the horse, it will pinch at the contact point. 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.

Before you try to fit a western saddle, place a saddle pad on the horse's back. 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. Gullet width or sometimes referred to as bar spread is the measurement 2 inches below the narrowest part.

Mark the middle of the wire at the 8 inch point with a marker. 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. So i thought i’d make it a little easier for you, and teach you how to measure for a saddle.

The front of your saddle should be positioned behind your horse’s shoulder blade, allowing him freedom of movement. To narrow down your choices, you will still need some idea of the type, size and construction of the saddle you need. How do you buy a saddle that fits your horse?

Place the saddle on the horse’s bare back without a pad. The bar angle and rock are also very important to fit. Rigging is the method of safely securing your saddle to your horse for a snug fit.

If three or more fingers fit, the gullet is too narrow. 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. The bar angle is comparable to the pitch on a barn’s roof.

Coated wires such as romex or soldering wire work well. Consider these seat sizes carefully when buying a new saddle. Place the saddle tree on your horse’s back.

There should be two to three fingers space between the top of the wither and the gullet of the saddle. The gap should fit no more than two fingers to two and a half fingers. Step straight back from the middle of the horse’s left side just far enough that.

Your saddle is too narrow if the front of the saddle sits high. But, to get the most out of your saddle, you need to find one that fits both you and your horse. If your horse has a narrow “a” shape, the saddle may be too wide.

Very important is your heels need to be in line with your shoulder! 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. Your saddle fits just right if it sits level on your horse’s back and the bars of the tree do not pinch.

The bars of the tree should lay completely flat on the back without any rocking, says oliver.

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