How To Fit a Western Saddle

To fit a western saddle you must first measure your horse. Each saddle measurement will differ between saddle makers. Not all Full Quarter Horse Bars are made the same. Just because its 6 3/4" gullet in one maker doesn't mean it will be the same width in another saddle maker. The flare and rock will also differ, as well as the bar angle.

To Measure your horse you need a flex-i-curve (which can be found at an office supply store) or a piece of heavy coated 1/2" electrical wire, about 2' long. You'll also need a piece of cardboard or a piece of heavy stock paper. With this you can make a replica form of your horses back. This will give us a pretty good idea how your horse is shaped and help you in the fitting process.

Start by finding your horses shoulder blade. When you find it take your wire and bend it slightly so it will fit over your horses back 2 fingers behind the shoulder blade, where you will place your saddle. Be sure the wire is sitting flat on both sides of your horse before you remove it. Then carefully trace the inside of the form on your paper or cardboard. Bring this form with you to our store. You can place the form up inside a saddle and tell how its going to fit your horses back. It will help you eliminate which saddles definitely WON'T fit, and help narrow down those tht will.

When you get your saddle home, have your horse stand on level ground. For fitting western saddles you should check the saddles fit without a saddle pad. Place the saddle on the horse and slide it until it finds its natural resting spot behind the shoulder blade then girth up the saddle. Is the saddle level on the horses back? Is the skirt straight and even? Now see if you can slide your hand under the saddle on both sides of the withers. This is very important you don't want it pinching your horse. Ideally, you want a nice "flare" in the front of the saddle. (See the picture below, my hand can easily fit between the saddle bar and the horse. Dakota Walker Saddles have WONDERFUL FLARE.) You also should be able to stick a couple fingers under the horn of the saddle comfortably. Next, check the length of the skirt and ensure that the skirt isn't going to be too long and interfere with your horses's hip. You should have enough space between his hip and the end of the saddle so it doesn't rub. If you have an Arabian, gaited horse, or short backed horse, you will most likely need a round skirted saddle.

If everything seems to fit, put a saddle pad on and ride the horse until you work up a good sweat. Are you getting any resistance from your horse? Attitude problems? Indications that he is uncomfortable? Remove the saddle, are there nice even sweat marks? Is the spinal channel dry? (It should be) Are there any dry spots?

If the saddle is too tight at the withers, you'll need a wider gullet. Measure the width of the gullet and make a note of that. If the saddle is setting down on our horses withers, the gullet may be too wide, or your horse has extremely high withers and you'll need a saddle to accomodate that height. Perhaps an A-Fork saddle or cutting saddle. If the saddle is not fitting take as many pictures as you can, and bring them in or email them to me.

Send measurements and photos to us and we'll gladly assist you with your saddle fitting! See photo below, and click on MORE INFO, to see second photo of a well fitting, even, level saddle. Set properly back from the shoulder, offering shoulder movement, wither clearance and an overall nice fit.
Kim

Saddle Fitting

NICE FLARE UNDER THE BAR FOR SHOULDER MOVEMENT AND COMFORT