Semi vs. Full QH bars?

SaddleUp158 · 02-22-2007, 07:02 AM

I have a question for all of you. When looking at western saddles I always see the descriptions saying "Semi-QH bars or Full QH bars" what exactly does this mean? WHat is the difference? Is one better that the other?

osage · 02-22-2007, 07:06 AM

a full quarter horse bar saddle is VERY wide. imo it is better suited for a draft then it is for a reg sized horse...even a large one. Semi is more like regular or medium sided.

SaddleUp158 · 02-22-2007, 07:28 AM

Ok, thank you very much! I am buying a work saddle and the one I found is semi-qh bars, and I have a morgan horse, so that will be great!

Sue B · 02-22-2007, 07:30 AM

LOL...it must be a local thing...but the vast majority of saddles my friend sells in her shop are on full bars...there are some honk'in big QHs and Paints around here.

The full bars generally have a gullet width of approx. 6 1/2-7", semi bars are approx. 6 1/4-6 3/4", draft bars generally go upwards of 7...more in the 7 1/2 to even 9" range for the really big guys.

However, there are no standards, therefore each company has their own sizing system and as you can see they overlap significantly and what is one company's semi bar is anothers full or just plain QH bar.

Sue B · 02-22-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaddleUp158

Ok, thank you very much! I am buying a work saddle and the one I found is semi-qh bars, and I have a morgan horse, so that will be great!

What style Morgan and what brand saddle? Old style Morgans need full bars and then there is the chance that a full wester saddle will hit them in the hip. The leaner Morgans seen today might need a semi bar. The brand of saddle will help determine what the size of the bars mighg actually be.

SaddleUp158 · 02-22-2007, 12:47 PM

The saddle is a Fabtron. Here is the link TackTrader Item ID: 162427 - TackTrader.com . Well, I bought it for breaking my new prospect next fall/winter and he is of the newer stock. However I will be riding the horse I am showing this year and he is also the newer breeding. Here are pics of both of them...

This is my new prospect he is 2 at the moment.

and this is the horse I am showing this year.

faroutfax · 02-22-2007, 01:21 PM

Well all of mine take Full QH or wider. And one is a pony. Another is only 15hh. They can be very wide but they can also be normal sized just like semis can be really narrow or reqularish sized. I have a Big Horn on Full QH bars and it is way more narrow than my old antique saddle that is also on full QH bars

Sue B · 02-22-2007, 01:50 PM

Good looking ponies!

I think that it would a really close call...the Fabtron semi bar is generally rather narrow as semis go. However, that's a good deal and if it doesn't fit...you can always resell and get your money back....perhaps more...or trade it towards another that fits.

The synthetic skirt shouldn't be a problem with hitting the hips. Just check and make sure that you can get your ringers under the front of the saddle (where the tree is) so that it isn't hindering the shoulders. Some pressure is ok...but much is not good....you will most likely be able to tell because the gaits will probably be restricted if it doesn't fit or causes discomfort in some area.

SaddleUp158 · 02-22-2007, 08:00 PM

Thanks so much everyone! I dont have much experience buying western saddles. Up until the last couple of years I have been primarily huntseat.

02-22-2007, 07:02 AM	#1
SaddleUp158 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,789 Images: 68	Semi vs. Full QH bars? I have a question for all of you. When looking at western saddles I always see the descriptions saying "Semi-QH bars or Full QH bars" what exactly does this mean? WHat is the difference? Is one better that the other?

02-22-2007, 07:06 AM	#2
osage Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In the green mountain top plateau of Tennessee Posts: 1,547 Images: 312	a full quarter horse bar saddle is VERY wide. imo it is better suited for a draft then it is for a reg sized horse...even a large one. Semi is more like regular or medium sided. __________________ do you know God loves you and has a wonderful, perfect plan for your life? And that even now He is waiting for You? Believe it...it's true. Do you have a prayer need? pm me. I am what I am By His Grace ....sara.....

02-22-2007, 07:30 AM	#4
Sue B Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,824 Images: 6	LOL...it must be a local thing...but the vast majority of saddles my friend sells in her shop are on full bars...there are some honk'in big QHs and Paints around here. The full bars generally have a gullet width of approx. 6 1/2-7", semi bars are approx. 6 1/4-6 3/4", draft bars generally go upwards of 7...more in the 7 1/2 to even 9" range for the really big guys. However, there are no standards, therefore each company has their own sizing system and as you can see they overlap significantly and what is one company's semi bar is anothers full or just plain QH bar. __________________ Save a Horse - www.saveahorse.org December 13th - National Day of the Horse September 19th - International Talk Like a Pirate Day www.talklikeapirate.com

02-22-2007, 01:21 PM	#7
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 4,966 Images: 305 Blog Entries: 16	Well all of mine take Full QH or wider. And one is a pony. Another is only 15hh. They can be very wide but they can also be normal sized just like semis can be really narrow or reqularish sized. I have a Big Horn on Full QH bars and it is way more narrow than my old antique saddle that is also on full QH bars __________________ One Man's Wrong Lead is Another's Counter Canter I've Been Snowballed

02-22-2007, 01:50 PM	#8
Sue B Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,824 Images: 6	Good looking ponies! I think that it would a really close call...the Fabtron semi bar is generally rather narrow as semis go. However, that's a good deal and if it doesn't fit...you can always resell and get your money back....perhaps more...or trade it towards another that fits. The synthetic skirt shouldn't be a problem with hitting the hips. Just check and make sure that you can get your ringers under the front of the saddle (where the tree is) so that it isn't hindering the shoulders. Some pressure is ok...but much is not good....you will most likely be able to tell because the gaits will probably be restricted if it doesn't fit or causes discomfort in some area. __________________ Save a Horse - www.saveahorse.org December 13th - National Day of the Horse September 19th - International Talk Like a Pirate Day www.talklikeapirate.com

02-22-2007, 07:28 AM	#3
SaddleUp158 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,789 Images: 68	Ok, thank you very much! I am buying a work saddle and the one I found is semi-qh bars, and I have a morgan horse, so that will be great!

02-22-2007, 12:47 PM	#6
SaddleUp158 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,789 Images: 68	The saddle is a Fabtron. Here is the link TackTrader Item ID: 162427 - TackTrader.com . Well, I bought it for breaking my new prospect next fall/winter and he is of the newer stock. However I will be riding the horse I am showing this year and he is also the newer breeding. Here are pics of both of them... This is my new prospect he is 2 at the moment. and this is the horse I am showing this year.

02-22-2007, 08:00 PM	#9
SaddleUp158 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,789 Images: 68	Thanks so much everyone! I dont have much experience buying western saddles. Up until the last couple of years I have been primarily huntseat.

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