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Gullet measurement

7K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  SammysMom 
#1 ·
Hi, I need some help on how to measure my horse for gullet width. I'm in the process of buying a new saddle and I want to have some idea of the width I need to be looking at. Does anybody have any links they can post to help me out with measuring his back? TIA:D
 
#4 ·
With a Haffie, you just might need a 10" gullet. remember that on those broad-backed, low-withered horses, you're not measuring the gullet-width as far down n the wither as you would on a shark-fin withered horse. You might be measuring too far down.
 
#6 ·
To be honest measuring in my experience doesn't really help because saddles don't measure in universal places and neither do people. I took my cut out to the saddle store and stuck it under saddles.

You want to measure it across the part where the gullet points would fit on a well fitting saddle. The three inches is a guide, horses with lower withers would measure higher up and horses with higher withers would probably measure further down.
 
#7 ·
Here's a visual for you that might help you. This is my Haflinger/QH cross and her wither-tracing. That's the saddle that fits her. When it's on her without a pad, I have about 2" clearance at the pommel. It has a 7.5" gullet (measured as the actual opening right at the top of the panels). That's a Thornhill 34 cm tree.
 

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#8 ·
Thanks freia! I measured on his tracing like in your pic. They are very similar in shape and their measurements are too. I was thinking I needed a 7.5" gullet but I wanted to be sure as I am having to buy online. Thanks everyone, definitely made me feel a little more sure :)
 
#9 ·
You can see from Freia's horse (the only colour you should have!) the importance of measuring or taking a wither template in the correct position. Look at the angles right behind the back of the shoulderblade before moving your eye rearwards. See how the angles get flatter the further back you go? That means a gullet width measurement would increase.
 
#10 ·
Absolutely! And once the saddle is fitted right, there is only one spot where it can sit correctly. Miss Moneypenny only tolerates about 1/2" margin of placement in either direction before she pins her ears, stiffens up, and tells me that she is not happy at all with my sloppy job tacking her up. The advantage is that once it's placed correctly, that saddles does not budge. At all. No matter the hill we encounter.
 
#11 ·
Hi Hafflieluver~

Just curious as to what saddle you wound up with, and how it is working. I am looking to make my old saddle work with my new Haflinger, and also, possibly, to get a second saddle. Haffies are more challenging than I imagined in this regard.

So, just wondering to know how you fared.
 
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