[Fire]

I always thought that if the saddle was pinching the horse's withers/shoulders, the bars were too small. A lot of stuff I've been looking at is saying that it will pinch in the front if the bars are too wide.

My saddle (I don't use it anymore, it's for sale) pinches my horse's withers/shoulders. How do I tell if the bars are too wide or too narrow? I thought they were too narrow because I ride a QH and the saddle has a 7 7/8" gullet. So is it too big on him or too small? I've been looking for a wider saddle, but now I'm not so sure what I need...

[Reitpferde]

As far as the gullet is concerned, if you can fit at least two fingers upright between withers and the top of the gullet (from underneath), the saddle fits in that regard. If the gullet is lower, and you can only fit barely two or less, it's too wide. Of course, don't forget that there is a lot more to saddle fitting than just the size of the gullet.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Reitpferde

As far as the gullet is concerned, if you can fit at least two fingers upright between withers and the top of the gullet (from underneath), the saddle fits in that regard. If the gullet is lower, and you can only fit barely two or less, it's too wide. Of course, don't forget that there is a lot more to saddle fitting than just the size of the gullet.

Okay, so if two fingers don't fit under the swells it's no good? It clears the withers by far on my horse, so does that mean the bars are just too narrow? My saddle now is my first saddle, it fit for a little bit and then my horse started gaining muscle and it no longer fits him. It pinches at the top of the bars.

[AQHA Hunter]

It would be a lot easier to help if you could post photos.

[Reitpferde]

If more than three fit under the gullet, it might be too narrow. If you can't fit two upright, it's too wide. Don't forget, once you sit on the saddle, more pressure is applied and the clearance will diminish.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by AQHA Hunter

It would be a lot easier to help if you could post photos.

Sorry, I don't have any, and my horse's shoulders are tender...something is wrong with him in that area and I'm sure it has to do with the saddle fit. I can't put a saddle on him right now.

Anyway, I can fit more than three under there definitely. The saddle doesn't really go down in the front much when I sit on it. So it's definitely too narrow? Should I get a saddle with an 8"+ gullet? Full QH bars?

Saddles confuse me, and the tack shop won't help because I keep asking for FQHBs and she keeps telling me anything over 6" is FQHB...arg.

[Reitpferde]

You have to consider other parts of the saddle as well. However, fitting more than three is a good indication that it might be too narrow. Can you have someone look at it. It really is difficult to tell without pix. I don't want to tell you it doesn't fit, without having seen it on the horse. The best way to be sure, have someone look at it up close in person.

[Dawn]

There's also the possibility that you're not placing the saddle in the correct position.

[Fire]

This is the only photo I have of the saddle on him where you can see it really.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...ly012small.jpg

[Reitpferde]

OOOOPS, I should have asked the question - what type of saddle - ver ignorant of me. I really do not know, how western saddles are supposed to fit. I ride English. However, I would imagine that as far as the gullet is concerned, you still need clearance to save the wither?? Sorry about that.