{"id":1452,"date":"2022-10-29T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-29T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/?p=1452"},"modified":"2022-10-27T20:02:28","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T20:02:28","slug":"mastering-how-to-measure-a-horse-for-a-saddle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/mastering-how-to-measure-a-horse-for-a-saddle\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering How to Measure a Horse for a Saddle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Horses and Saddles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Correctly fitting a saddle is the most crucial part of your horse ride. If you are a horse owner or love to ride, you must know how to measure a horse for a saddle. Think about it. Incorrectly saddling your horse significantly affects your riding experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are two types of saddle fits; English and Western. This article outlines how to measure a saddle, fit it to a horse, and avoid common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n
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How to Measure a Horse for a Western Saddle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to measure a western saddle is relatively simple. These saddles are classified according to the length of the ‘skirt’ at the back of the seat, width of the saddle tree, and use (i.e., barrels, roping, western pleasure, cutting, and reining). However, saddle sizing varies with different manufacturers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By counting the distance between the screws where the front conchos join the saddle, you can physically measure the gullet of a western saddle. However, this measurement is never guaranteed; it can only be useful as an approximate indicator of the bar angle. This is due to the lack of defined measurements for various bar widths and angles in the saddle business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you are aware of the gullet size that works best for your horse in general, you can use this measurement to purchase a well-fitting saddle online without having seen it first. If a new or used saddle does not fit you or your horse well, you should still try to have a trial period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember that an incorrectly fitted western saddle on a horse can severely hurt its withers and back and reduce the rider’s performance. Remove the saddle blanket before mounting the horse to fit the harness correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slide it backward gently by placing it on the withers. Once fastened, the perimeter’s center should dangle around 3.93 inches (10 centimeters) behind the horse’s elbow. You should be able to fit two fingers between the top of the withers and the saddle gullet when measuring the clearance at the withers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signs of an Incorrectly Fitted Western Saddle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Because horses cannot communicate that their saddle is painful, you must observe their body language and seek visible indications of poor western saddle fit. It might be challenging to determine the proper western saddle sizing because every horse is different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some essential factors to consider while figuring out how to fit a western saddle to a horse:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saddle sores.<\/li>
Back swelling when you remove the harness.<\/li>
Cues resistance.<\/li>
Angry behavior, such as ear pinning or tail swishing.<\/li>
Scars or thickened skin around the saddle area.<\/li>
Growth of white hairs appears out of nowhere.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You should place the front of your horse saddle behind the withers, and it should sit level on your horse’s back. Verify that the bars do not pinch. In case the front rides high, the saddle is too small. If the front of the saddle is low, on the other hand, it is excessively wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips for Fitting a Western Saddle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Western saddles on horses fit slightly differently from their English counterparts. Be sure to check the gullet size chart below for an accurate fit. Here are a few tips for fitting a western saddle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gullet Width and Fork Height<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Your horse’s withers or spine won’t ever come into touch with a properly fitted saddle. Make sure you can fit two to three vertical fingers between your horse’s withers and the fork when your saddle sits straight on your horse’s back without a pad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, as far as you can, slide your palm down the gullet to verify the clearance. To ensure your horse’s spine is pressure-free from front to rear, visualize the gullet channel from the back of the saddle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your Right Size<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you can comfortably fit three fingers between your thigh and the saddle’s swell and a vertical hand between your seat and the cantle, your western saddle is the proper size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You will hamper your ability to communicate with your horse using your seat and legs if your seat is too small. A saddle that is too big will need more work to keep you in a balanced and centered position continually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tree Angle and Spread<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The skirt’s spread and slope should mirror your horse’s contour when viewed from the front. You can identify poor fit by narrowing, especially in the withers or behind the shoulders. Once you’re mounted, the saddle should keep its shape throughout the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Riding Position: Centered<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
You can ride well with your horse if you have a well-designed seat and set your stirrups properly. To sit near your horse’s center of gravity and where its back is strongest, the lowest section of the seat should be at the center, between the fork (pommel) and cantle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Proper shoulder, hip, and heel alignment should be as simple as possible, with the stirrups hanging naturally vertically below your leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Levelness<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The bottom edge of the skirt should be parallel to the ground when the saddle is in the proper position, with the front edge of the tree (not the front skirt, which is flexible leather) sitting in the wither pocket behind the shoulder blade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A saddle that isn’t level will apply pressure to your horse’s back unevenly, causing pain and upsetting his balance. It will also affect your balance, and your ride will be far less comfortable if your saddle leans forward or back.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Our Saddle Sizes Charts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What size saddle do I need? This is the first and very important question that hits your mind when purchasing a horse saddle. Regarding rider fit, your height and weight determine the seat sizes. The saddle fit for the horse is not related to seat size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The style and design of the saddle might affect how comfortable it is to sit. There is a 3 inches (7 centimeters) space between the fork (swells) and your body’s front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, the seat criteria will vary depending on the riding style. You might desire extra security in your seat if you use barrel saddles for quick spins and beginnings. You’ll need more space going up hills or staying with your cutting horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Competitors are settling into smaller, more snug-fitting seats in roping and barrel racing trends. For cutters, ranchers, and pleasure riders, the fit of trail saddles is still slightly more relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below is a chart showing saddle sizes for both Western and English fit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rider Height <\/strong><\/td>
Weight<\/strong><\/td>
Pant Size (Men)<\/strong><\/td>
Pant Size (Women)<\/strong><\/td>
Western Saddle Size<\/strong><\/td>
English Saddle Size<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
58 to 62 inches (147.32 to 157.48 centimeters)<\/td>
50 to 100 pounds (22.67 to 45.35 kilograms)<\/td>
22 to 24 inches (55.88 to 60.96 centimeters)<\/td>
0 to 2<\/td>
13 or 13.5 inches (33.02 or 34.29 centimeters)<\/td>
15 or 15.5 inches (38.1 or 39.37 centimeters)<\/td><\/tr>
60 to 65 inches (152.4 to 165.1 centimeters)<\/td>
85 to 135 pounds (38.55 to 61.23 kilograms) <\/td>
24 to 32 inches (60.96 to 81.28 centimeters)<\/td>
4, 6, 8<\/td>
14 or 14.5 (35.56 or 36.83 centimeters)<\/td>
16 or 16.5 inches (40.64 or 41.91 centimeters)<\/td><\/tr>
64 to 69 inches (162.56 to 175.26 centimeters)<\/td>
100 to 170 pounds (45.35 to 77.11 kilograms)<\/td>
32to 36 inches (81.28 to 91.44 centimeters)<\/td>
8, 10, 12<\/td>
15 or 15.5 inches (38.1 or 39.37 centimeters)<\/td>
17 or 17.5 inches (43.18 or 44.45 centimeters)<\/td><\/tr>
67 to 71inches (170.18 to 180.34 centimeters)<\/td>
150 to 210 pounds (68.03 to 95.25 kilograms)<\/td>
36 to 38 inches ( 91.44to 96.52 centimeters)<\/td>
12, 14, 16<\/td>
16, 16.5 or 17 inches (40.64, 41.91, or 43.18 centimeters)<\/td>
18 or 18.5 inches (45.72 or 46.99 centimeters)<\/td><\/tr>
Most English riding disciplines use English saddles, including fox hunting, hunter, dressage, jumper, trail riding, and eventing. Although English saddles are sometimes designed differently for each riding discipline, they give the horse the most mobility and flexibility possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Saddle](\"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Saddle-on-horse-back.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Different](\"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Different-horse-saddles-1024x683.jpg\")
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