How to fit a saddle correctly

SkyeTiger · 03-21-2005, 07:14 PM

Ok I have a pretty broad quarter horse. I mean that is just like a trait of the breed but anyway, he is sooo hard to fit an english saddle.

I want one really bad.

But, I CAN NOT fit him with one. How do you know whether an ENGLISH saddle fits correctly or not? Please help me?! Thanks!

< Skye when he sees me coming with one more english saddle to try on his back. lol

AutumnAttic · 03-21-2005, 07:21 PM

What most of my friends have had to do is get a used saddle, that is already broken in and widened a bit.

Dawn · 03-21-2005, 07:25 PM

What size trees have you been trying? They will vary between brands and makes obviously, but if you're trying to squeeze him into a narrow or perhaps even a medium, it might be a bit unrealistic to expect it to work. Also, do you know how to recognize when it does fit properly?

Percher1 · 03-21-2005, 07:30 PM

First of all get a wide or a saddle that has tree that can expand from medium to wide. Then you put the saddle on the horse without a saddle pad and run you hand down the front of the flaps to see if there's even pressure all the way down. Then you check to see if the deepest part of the saddle is level. If it isn't you may need to get a banjo pad or a lifter pad that raises the back of the saddle up. another good way to test to see if a saddle fits right is to ride your horse with a clean saddle pad-preferably one that isn't the same shape as the saddle. Work you horse so he sweats a bit. then when you take the saddle off and look underneath the pad you can see the outline of dirt. It should be even all along his back except for the spine and then a line on the front flaps where you tested for evenness. I don't know the exact measurement for clearance of the withers. And furthermore, for a wide tree saddle you should be able to fit 4 fingers to a fist under the pommel.
Good luck!

SkyeTiger · 03-22-2005, 06:29 PM

Thanks guys! Yes I am trying/looking for wide tree.

03-21-2005, 07:14 PM	#1
SkyeTiger Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: near Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 8,212 Images: 1200 Blog Entries: 11	How to fit a saddle correctly Ok I have a pretty broad quarter horse. I mean that is just like a trait of the breed but anyway, he is sooo hard to fit an english saddle. I want one really bad. But, I CAN NOT fit him with one. How do you know whether an ENGLISH saddle fits correctly or not? Please help me?! Thanks! < Skye when he sees me coming with one more english saddle to try on his back. lol __________________ SkyeJusticeSarah That cool arabian gelding.... Won't forget about you Forrest I've been snowballed

03-21-2005, 07:21 PM	#2
AutumnAttic Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Michigan U.S.A. Posts: 5,600 Images: 108	What most of my friends have had to do is get a used saddle, that is already broken in and widened a bit. __________________ Amber I've been snowballed.

03-22-2005, 06:29 PM	#5
SkyeTiger Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: near Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 8,212 Images: 1200 Blog Entries: 11	Thanks guys! Yes I am trying/looking for wide tree. __________________ SkyeJusticeSarah That cool arabian gelding.... Won't forget about you Forrest I've been snowballed

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03-21-2005, 07:25 PM	#3
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31,484 Images: 1390	What size trees have you been trying? They will vary between brands and makes obviously, but if you're trying to squeeze him into a narrow or perhaps even a medium, it might be a bit unrealistic to expect it to work. Also, do you know how to recognize when it does fit properly?

03-21-2005, 07:30 PM	#4
Percher1 Full Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 294	First of all get a wide or a saddle that has tree that can expand from medium to wide. Then you put the saddle on the horse without a saddle pad and run you hand down the front of the flaps to see if there's even pressure all the way down. Then you check to see if the deepest part of the saddle is level. If it isn't you may need to get a banjo pad or a lifter pad that raises the back of the saddle up. another good way to test to see if a saddle fits right is to ride your horse with a clean saddle pad-preferably one that isn't the same shape as the saddle. Work you horse so he sweats a bit. then when you take the saddle off and look underneath the pad you can see the outline of dirt. It should be even all along his back except for the spine and then a line on the front flaps where you tested for evenness. I don't know the exact measurement for clearance of the withers. And furthermore, for a wide tree saddle you should be able to fit 4 fingers to a fist under the pommel. Good luck!