A western saddle is one of the most important pieces of tack in your horse’s bridle. It is designed to fit your horse’s personality, anatomy, and individual needs. Western saddles are constructed with varying degrees of seat, seat depth, and cantle for different disciplines, riding styles and sizes of horse. A poorly fitting saddle places unnecessary strain on the horse, making the ride uncomfortable for both rider and horse. A poorly fitted saddle can also lead to injury as it puts excess pressure on the sensitive areas of the horse’s back.A proper fit will improve your horse’s comfort and performance on the trail. Here are some tips on how to properly fit your horse’s western saddle:
Know your horse’s anatomy
The anatomy of the horse is key to fitting a correct saddle. The first thing to know is the rider’s seat. Horses are anatomically designed to carry weight off their hocks and onto their ribs and spine. In order to achieve that, the rider’s seat should be between the horse’s withers and just above the point where the spine meets the rump. The most effective way to determine your rider’s seat is to stand in the stirrups while your hands are on the horse’s neck. This will allow you to see where the rider’s weight is actually placed on the horse, and will help you to fit the saddle correctly.Once you know your rider’s seat, it is important to determine the appropriate saddle seat depth. Most experts recommend a rider’s seat being about one inch below the point where the horse’s hocks touch the ground (measured from the front of the withers to the back of the hocks). That one inch of space allows the rider’s seat to be out of the horse’s way when he or she is moving and helps to relieve pressure on the horse’s sensitive tissues.
Start with the tree
The tree refers to the frame of the saddle. There are several different types of trees used in Western saddles. Each type of tree will provide different support for your horse, depending on their conformation and the type of riding you are doing. You will want to make sure you pick a tree that matches the conformation of your horse.If you are not sure what type of tree you need, check out the tree guide below. Once you have determined your horse’s tree, you can move on to measuring the correct seat depth.
Ask the right questions
Beyond the basics, there are many more aspects to consider when fitting a Western saddle. Here are a few tips to help you select the best saddle for your horse.For a beginner, a medium-sized Western saddle is the best choice. There are a variety of saddle types to choose from, including English, synthetic and hybrid. A synthetic saddle is a good choice for someone who wants to save money, but still wants a quality saddle.Hybrid Western Saddles are a combination of synthetic and wooden parts, making them a good choice for someone who wants a high-quality, well-made saddle without spending a lot of money.
Take your horse for a trail ride
Taking your horse for a trail ride before fitting the saddle will allow you to get a feel for how the saddle feels on your horse. It is best to do this on a day when you have several hours of daylight and no plans for the evening.This is an ideal situation for a fitting session, but it isn’t necessary to take your horse for a trail ride before every fitting session. Every horse is unique, and it will take time to identify the best fitting saddle for each individual horse.There are a few things to keep in mind when trail riding to help you select the best fitting saddle for your horse.
Conclusion
A proper saddle fit is an important part of your journey as a horse owner and rider. It is important to find a saddle that fits your horse’s anatomy, personality and riding style. A poorly fitted saddle can cause unnecessary stress on your horse’s back and lead to injury. There are several steps to finding the best fitting saddle for your horse, including measuring your horse, choosing the right tree and measuring the correct seat depth.Taking your horse for a trail ride before fitting the saddle will help to identify the best fitting saddle for your horse. Once you have found a saddle that fits your horse, you can continue to build a relationship with your horse by learning how to properly clean it.