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It's surprising how may riders don't take saddle fit into consideration.
Saddle fit
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Taking a saddle template
Hi there,
since we are selling saddles and cannot reach all our customers personally we created some videos on taking templates and what to look for when fitting the saddle also to the rider which might be useful for everybody.
http://shop.mindbuzzler.com/content/6-saddle-fitting-guideline
Let us hear your opinion or call us if you have further questions 01337 870489
Hi there,
since we are selling saddles and cannot reach all our customers personally we created some videos on taking templates and what to look for when fitting the saddle also to the rider which might be useful for everybody.
http://shop.mindbuzzler.com/content/6-saddle-fitting-guideline
Let us hear your opinion or call us if you have further questions 01337 870489
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The Western saddles; Billy Cook, Circle Y , Tucker & used western trail saddles have on line tools to measure your horse for a saddle. I think Tucker also offer the same info on line.
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I have had the same problem the saddle that i had for my horse it caused him to have saddle sores so i now have to use another saddle it fits him perfect and his saddle sores is cured by the way but I will do the recommended method like iridehorses stated in case i want another saddle
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Very informative site for western saddles.
THE SADDLE
THE SADDLE
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We did take her to a pro, so whats the next step. And he made a new saddle for us.
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13,166 Posts
I'm not sure I understand the question. If you took her to a pro and he/she made a saddle to fit, is there still a problem?
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This is another good idea to the wither tracing. You do a full back tracing. I did this then created a cardboad layout of her back and kept it in my car when I went saddle hunting. It worked great. How to Build a Back Map for saddle fitting
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Saddle Fitting
Ridden test instructions
1.) Mark on the horses back the back edge of scapula and last rib with wet colored chalk. Make sure the horse is standing square in front when you do this. I mark this because it will show up on the pad test and will tell you exactly where the back of the scapula is, if the saddle has moved forward and help you position the saddle correctly. It also helps me when I’m making shims for helping the saddle fit.
2.) Lightly but evenly cover horses back with colored chalk, clay or colored talc from back edge of scapula to last rib, above the shelf of the ribs (back muscle area). I make colored chalk and have it for sale if you can’t find something to use.
3.) With horse standing square get white sheet/pad and carefully place on horses back in correct position without having to move it to much.
4.) Carefully - with another person if required on other side to help you - place saddle in correct position on horses back without moving it around but do make sure from of pad is lifted a little at the front so it doesn't sit right down on the wither. Also lift the back slightly as well.
5.) Girth up as usual using girth strap holders on blanket if you have them. Tie the saddle blanket or white sheet at the front if you can as well so it doesn't move.
6.) Carefully or with another person holding other side of saddle stand on mounting block and get on without moving saddle too much.
7.) Go for a ride doing everything you would normally do for at least 15 -20 minutes up to half an hour. If you ride for too long is just blends in the colored talc and is not as accurate. Make sure that it is the rider who usually rides this horse and in this saddle otherwise again – it will not be as accurate. Every one rides differently.
8.) When you get back vault off horse. You don't want to move the saddle too much.
9.) Undo girth and untie the front of the saddle blanket and if needed - with someone holding other side of saddle carefully lift off saddle.
10.) Carefully lift off saddle blanket.
11.) Look at the horses back to see what talc has been left behind. Are there any scuffing marks? What does the contact look like either side of the wither? Take pictures of the back if sending off for assessment.
12.) Read saddle blanket patterns. You are looking for even contact the whole way through. Darker areas will tell you there is more contact and lighter areas will tell you there is less contact. Take pictures of saddle blanket if sending off for assessment.
13.) Give this to your saddle fitting assessor to assess and discuss you findings.
NOTE: You can also do a ridden test by putting on a clean cotton saddle blanket that you usually use and going for a ride for an hour or so and if the horse has enough dirt in his coat it will show up where the pressure areas are. I’m happy to look at dirty saddle blanket photos for you as long as they haven’t been used on multiple horses.
From left to right:Even pad test; even pad test; pressure at back pad test
Ridden test instructions
1.) Mark on the horses back the back edge of scapula and last rib with wet colored chalk. Make sure the horse is standing square in front when you do this. I mark this because it will show up on the pad test and will tell you exactly where the back of the scapula is, if the saddle has moved forward and help you position the saddle correctly. It also helps me when I’m making shims for helping the saddle fit.
2.) Lightly but evenly cover horses back with colored chalk, clay or colored talc from back edge of scapula to last rib, above the shelf of the ribs (back muscle area). I make colored chalk and have it for sale if you can’t find something to use.
3.) With horse standing square get white sheet/pad and carefully place on horses back in correct position without having to move it to much.
4.) Carefully - with another person if required on other side to help you - place saddle in correct position on horses back without moving it around but do make sure from of pad is lifted a little at the front so it doesn't sit right down on the wither. Also lift the back slightly as well.
5.) Girth up as usual using girth strap holders on blanket if you have them. Tie the saddle blanket or white sheet at the front if you can as well so it doesn't move.
6.) Carefully or with another person holding other side of saddle stand on mounting block and get on without moving saddle too much.
7.) Go for a ride doing everything you would normally do for at least 15 -20 minutes up to half an hour. If you ride for too long is just blends in the colored talc and is not as accurate. Make sure that it is the rider who usually rides this horse and in this saddle otherwise again – it will not be as accurate. Every one rides differently.
8.) When you get back vault off horse. You don't want to move the saddle too much.
9.) Undo girth and untie the front of the saddle blanket and if needed - with someone holding other side of saddle carefully lift off saddle.
10.) Carefully lift off saddle blanket.
11.) Look at the horses back to see what talc has been left behind. Are there any scuffing marks? What does the contact look like either side of the wither? Take pictures of the back if sending off for assessment.
12.) Read saddle blanket patterns. You are looking for even contact the whole way through. Darker areas will tell you there is more contact and lighter areas will tell you there is less contact. Take pictures of saddle blanket if sending off for assessment.
13.) Give this to your saddle fitting assessor to assess and discuss you findings.
NOTE: You can also do a ridden test by putting on a clean cotton saddle blanket that you usually use and going for a ride for an hour or so and if the horse has enough dirt in his coat it will show up where the pressure areas are. I’m happy to look at dirty saddle blanket photos for you as long as they haven’t been used on multiple horses.
From left to right:Even pad test; even pad test; pressure at back pad test
Attachments
Different size horses need different size saddles?
I have two wild mustangs who are pony sized (13.2 hands approx.) and a arab/paint/thoroughbred cross who in the winter when i ride him is built like a tank paint (still with a high withers and in the summer slims himself down like a nervous thoroughbred. My western saddle I have now fits my mustangs good but I was thinking of selling it to buy a lighter weight one because I'm disabled. Before I go and put money into one do I need to get different saddles for the Arab/Paint/Thoroughbred. I know we all gain a little weight in the winter but there is a considerable difference in his size and I don't want him to be uncomfortable. I grew up with POAs so I automatically purchased a saddle when I had my mustangs that would fit a pony. Suggestions?
I have two wild mustangs who are pony sized (13.2 hands approx.) and a arab/paint/thoroughbred cross who in the winter when i ride him is built like a tank paint (still with a high withers and in the summer slims himself down like a nervous thoroughbred. My western saddle I have now fits my mustangs good but I was thinking of selling it to buy a lighter weight one because I'm disabled. Before I go and put money into one do I need to get different saddles for the Arab/Paint/Thoroughbred. I know we all gain a little weight in the winter but there is a considerable difference in his size and I don't want him to be uncomfortable. I grew up with POAs so I automatically purchased a saddle when I had my mustangs that would fit a pony. Suggestions?
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Hi All!
There is good information here, and some interesting DIY's for mapping a horses back.
I didn't see it mentioned anywhere, so I'll add my $.02:
There is a tool called an EQUImeasure that really takes all of the guesswork out of this process.
https://equimeasure.com
They are currently $125, which seems a bit expensive until you consider the cost of shipping a saddle back and forth a few times, or even the costs for gasoline and wasted time driving back and forth to the saddle store. They're reusable, too. I was introduced to these by the good folks at Synergist Saddles, but I would think that any custom saddle maker would be more than happy to get an EQUImeasure template along with a saddle order.
I have used them (the same one, actually) for fitting several backs, and they just work. Thought you ought to know . . .
Steve
There is good information here, and some interesting DIY's for mapping a horses back.
I didn't see it mentioned anywhere, so I'll add my $.02:
There is a tool called an EQUImeasure that really takes all of the guesswork out of this process.
https://equimeasure.com
They are currently $125, which seems a bit expensive until you consider the cost of shipping a saddle back and forth a few times, or even the costs for gasoline and wasted time driving back and forth to the saddle store. They're reusable, too. I was introduced to these by the good folks at Synergist Saddles, but I would think that any custom saddle maker would be more than happy to get an EQUImeasure template along with a saddle order.
I have used them (the same one, actually) for fitting several backs, and they just work. Thought you ought to know . . .
Steve
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