How To Tell If A Western Saddle Fits A Horse

How To Tell If A Western Saddle Fits A Horse

Introduction

Saddle fitting for western style saddles is a bit different than English style saddles, though there are many similarities. The goal is to make sure you have enough room on the bars of the saddle tree for your horse’s shoulders and withers, as well as that your saddle doesn’t pinch anywhere along their back. However, in order to know whether or not your horse fits in the saddle well, you need to be sure that it fits properly.

Decide on position you want to ride the horse in.

If you want to ride your horse in a relaxed position, most western saddles will fit them just fine. But if you want to ride them in a more forward position, the saddle may not fit as well. This is because it changes how much pressure is put on each individual side of their back and abdomen.

If your horse has very prominent withers or high shoulders, they might do better with a saddle that has a wider gullet opening so that there is more room for their spine to move freely while they are moving around.

Assess the horse’s back shape.

  • Straight or curved? To determine if a horse has a straight or curved back, look at their withers (the highest part of the animal’s back). A straight-backed horse has even withers that are parallel with each other and to the ground, whereas a curved-backed horse will have uneven withers. This can be difficult to notice in horses that have thick muscle mass.
  • Short or long? Measure from point A (where you would place your saddle) down one side of the spine—to point B on the other side—and then compare it to the distance between points C and D on both sides of its spine. If they are equal in length (or close), then your horse probably has a short back. If they differ considerably in length, then your horse likely has a long back; however, keep in mind that this measurement only applies when looking at how far forward or backward each vertebrae extends along each side of its spine.*

Measure the horse from withers to point of hip.

Measure the horse from withers to point of hip. This is the most accurate way to get an accurate measurement of a horse’s back length, even if you’re not a professional rider or trainer. Use a yardstick to measure from the highest point of the withers (where it meets the neck) down to where both sides meet at your horse’s tailbone. Measure along his backbone and base of his mane where he has no fat or muscle tissue; this will give you a more precise idea than measuring just around his belly area, which would include extra weight that wouldn’t be on a saddle.

Measure from point of shoulder to point of hip for correct sized saddle fit​

When it comes time for sizing up your horse with a Western saddle, there are two measurements you’ll want to pay close attention to: Point of Shoulder (PoS) and Point Of Hip (PoH). These indicate where exactly on your animal’s body each part will sit when properly fitted into place—and once you have those numbers in mind, shopping online should be pretty easy!

Determine a horse’s shoulder angle.

When choosing a saddle, the shoulder angle is an important factor. The shoulder angle is the angle between the horse’s shoulder and a line drawn from the point of one shoulder to the point of his hip. The ideal shoulder angle should be about 45 degrees, which will help ensure that your saddle fits properly on your horse’s back.

Measure a horse from point of shoulder to point of hip.

To check whether a saddle fits, you’ll need to measure both the length of your horse and his height. The best way to do this is by getting on your hands and knees at either side of him with a tape measure in hand. First, start at his point of shoulder (the highest part of his shoulder) and follow down until you reach his point of hip (the highest part of his hip). For an accurate measurement, it’s important that you don’t pull the tape too tight or let it sag—just hold it out straight as if it were attached to two walls in front of him.

Once you’ve got your measurement for length, repeat for height; place one end against the top edge or center hollowed-out portion on either side (wherever it seems most prominent), go up until there are no longer any bumps on either side where he might bump into something else (like another horse), then wrap around once more so that there’s plenty left over after going past those bumps.

Measure a horse’s back length.

To measure a horse’s back length, place the tape measure on your horse’s withers and note where it meets the point of hip. Do this as accurately as possible; if you have to guess between two locations, choose the spot that is closer to the tail than to his head. You can also use a string or ribbon to mark where this measurement ends.

Next, take another measurement from point of shoulder to point of hip by extending your arm straight down from his shoulder (never toward him) while keeping it parallel with his body. When done correctly, one end of this second string or ribbon should be against his chest and another up near what would be his middle if he were standing on all four legs instead of three..

Compare your saddle brand and model measurements with your horse measurements.

The first thing you will want to do is measure your horse from withers to point of hip. You can use a measuring tape or a flexible ruler to get this measurement, which should be from the top of the withers to where their back ends, just behind their hips.

Next, measure your horse’s shoulder width by taking a measurement from the point of the shoulder straight across their chest and back (usually about halfway between their shoulders and hips). This is another important piece of information for determining how well a saddle will fit your equine companion!

Your saddle should fit you and your horse so it works for both of you.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that your saddle should fit both you and your horse. This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to overlook. The saddle should not be too big or too small for either of you, but rather just right for both of you. It should be comfortable for both rider and horse, and it should allow the rider to sit correctly so they can ride the horse without hurting themselves or putting excess strain on their body.

The saddle must also fit the horse’s back properly in order for them to be comfortable when riding with a rider on their backs as well as give them enough room between their withers (the highest point of the back) and cantle (the part just behind where a rider sits). If any piece of tack doesn’t fit correctly then it might cause pain or discomfort while riding which would make things even more difficult than they already are when dealing with horses!

Conclusion

The right saddle can make the difference between riding in comfort and riding with discomfort. It’s important to take your time when shopping for a Western Saddle so that you get one that will fit both you and your horse properly. If you’re looking for more information on how to tell if a Western saddle fits a horse, check out our article here.

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