Judging how well your Western Saddle fits your horse. Rhonda Martin of Equine Performance Therapy explains how to judge your saddle's fit to your horse by feel and appearance.
Thank you for posting this informative video. Now I know more what I'm looking for when I place a saddle on my horse. I now know the first saddle I bought for him does NOT fit thanks to watching your video. Now I'm on a quest to find a comfortable saddle for my horse. Thanks so much! :)
I know this is a super old video, but this is SO helpful. I have a custom Allegany saddle which the tree fits WONDERFUL, but having issues with it sliding forward onto her shoulder, (every saddle I have had wants to do that but this tree atleast fits). Allegany is re-doing the rigging to be in the more "full position" to help keep the saddle pulled back-hoping it helps.
I've heard that an english saddly should end at the 17 rib, because after the 18, there is nothing, that could hold wight. Is it the same with western saddles? Cause they normally are a lot longer ;)
Awesome video, thank you. My mare is a special case (i had my trainer look at her saddle and she said it fits well) Her scapula sits farther back than usual and she has a curved back. She can't carry an english saddle because of it, and there is slight bridging under her western saddle. She moves well underneath it, and the marks are even on each side of her spine. Can anyone reccommend a pad that might help fill in the spaces and maybe lift the saddle a little bit without pinching? I use a thinline ranch pad on her right now and i love it.
I have a very hard time tacking up because I'm 13 and I have a 16.3 hand tall quarter horse so I am always nervous it doesnt fit right and he also doesn't have a long back
@nuttyally Go to the manufacturer's website (for the brand(s) you are looking into) there should be a number you can call for more information. Your best bet is buying new, older saddles definatley won't come in a gullet that wide. A draft horse saddle might be a good solution as well they come in all sorts of "crazy" sizes, or going treeless which is a good alternative if you aren't showing for a wide horse any saddle even well fitting one can be uncomfortable. Hope it helps, Tippy
Melnyk, my saddle did not fit my paint who has a white topline. I rode him, he was not bathed, after workout there was an obvious dry, cleaner patch right behind his shoulder which indicated the poor fit.
@nuttyally Try a treeless saddle if you can't find anything (Bob Marshall Saddle). If you don't believe in treeless saddles, get a custom made. Both of these are very expensive mind you.
ive tried loads of saddle on my welsh d n all seem to b to tight once girthed up! is there many saddle with a biger gullet than 8 inches? whats this horse riding in? he seems just a tad rounder than my boy?
With a D, try a wade style saddle. If still no go, draft. Or try specialized saddles, you fit it with your horse. Check their website. Specializedsaddles.com no, I'm not a rep. I do equine bodywork and saddle fit assessment.
Any tips if you want to order one from a different country. Where I come from they only make really cheap ones and even those are expensive. So I want to order one from outside the country. Are there measurements that I could send to help make sure the saddle fits better?
wolfsvain2...I think you mean high withers? You have to look for a saddle that has a tall gullet, something this video didn't address, though it was really good general info. for a typical stock breed. If you look at a few online saddle companies, they often, not always, give a height of gullet measurement as well as bar type and gullet width. Semi-QH bars means the angle of the bars are made to fit non-stock horse breeds that are less round in confirmation, like a Thoroughbred or Arab. Here's an example:www.horse.com/item/wintec-western-new-generation-contact-saddle/E012246/
@superkidoftoday Not really, on Craigslist you will find MANY people who wants to sell their saddles, so they sell them for cheap. Also they let you go and see the saddle! give it a try!
Just a tip... if you go try on saddles find out what tree is in it and who makes it of course then try to find a used one!! That's what I did. Paid 1100.00 less. Same saddle tree fit like a glove!!
My horse looks exactly like that one and oh my gosh it has been so hard to find a good fit. This helped so much
Thanks! This helps a lot! I wont be buying any saddle on line. I'm taking my horse to the saddle shop to be fitted in the mares dressing room. : )
If that horse goes missing, its not at my house! ;)
Rhonda is such a natural teacher. great video. Thanks
B-b-b-BEAUTIFUL horse!!!!!
This is a very well done and informative video. Excellent job!
This was so helpful!
Thanks Rhonda, great vid
sunaj
Very informative and gave me some very valuable information. Thank you so much!! This was excellent
Fantastic instruction! Thanks for all the info & great visuals!!
This is sooo wonderful. Very clear and concise instructions for a very tough subject. Thanks!
Effective and Comprehensive presentation.
Best i have seen Yet!!
Good discussion.
This is the best, most comprehensive video about western saddle fit that I've seen yet! My horses and I thank you! :)
Great information
Like buying boots that don’t fit properly
Comfort for the horse is everything !
Great information Easy to follow. Thanks
such a great video!!
He’s such a cute horse!
Thank you for posting this informative video. Now I know more what I'm looking for when I place a saddle on my horse. I now know the first saddle I bought for him does NOT fit thanks to watching your video. Now I'm on a quest to find a comfortable saddle for my horse. Thanks so much! :)
Thank you, clear concise info I can use to see how my saddles fit . . Big Thanks
thankyou so much. excellent vid
So happy to find a video where the horse is similar shape than mine!
THANK YOU!!!!!!
I know this is a super old video, but this is SO helpful. I have a custom Allegany saddle which the tree fits WONDERFUL, but having issues with it sliding forward onto her shoulder, (every saddle I have had wants to do that but this tree atleast fits). Allegany is re-doing the rigging to be in the more "full position" to help keep the saddle pulled back-hoping it helps.
Thank you.
GREAT INSTRUCTIOONAL
I've heard that an english saddly should end at the 17 rib, because after the 18, there is nothing, that could hold wight. Is it the same with western saddles? Cause they normally are a lot longer ;)
Well! I know what I'll be doing this weekend!
Thank you, wish you would do more videos
Awesome video, thank you. My mare is a special case (i had my trainer look at her saddle and she said it fits well) Her scapula sits farther back than usual and she has a curved back. She can't carry an english saddle because of it, and there is slight bridging under her western saddle. She moves well underneath it, and the marks are even on each side of her spine. Can anyone reccommend a pad that might help fill in the spaces and maybe lift the saddle a little bit without pinching? I use a thinline ranch pad on her right now and i love it.
that great
very gorgeous boy. heaven made her..
I have a very hard time tacking up because I'm 13 and I have a 16.3 hand tall quarter horse so I am always nervous it doesnt fit right and he also doesn't have a long back
What brand is the firse saddle in the video. Thank you
@nuttyally Go to the manufacturer's website (for the brand(s) you are looking into) there should be a number you can call for more information. Your best bet is buying new, older saddles definatley won't come in a gullet that wide. A draft horse saddle might be a good solution as well they come in all sorts of "crazy" sizes, or going treeless which is a good alternative if you aren't showing for a wide horse any saddle even well fitting one can be uncomfortable.
Hope it helps,
Tippy
I have a question. I have a horse with high shoulders do i need full quarter horse bars or semi quarter horse bars?
Melnyk, my saddle did not fit my paint who has a white topline. I rode him, he was not bathed, after workout there was an obvious dry, cleaner patch right behind his shoulder which indicated the poor fit.
@nuttyally Try a treeless saddle if you can't find anything (Bob Marshall Saddle). If you don't believe in treeless saddles, get a custom made. Both of these are very expensive mind you.
where did she cover saddle length?
ive tried loads of saddle on my welsh d n all seem to b to tight once girthed up! is there many saddle with a biger gullet than 8 inches? whats this horse riding in? he seems just a tad rounder than my boy?
With a D, try a wade style saddle. If still no go, draft. Or try specialized saddles, you fit it with your horse. Check their website. Specializedsaddles.com no, I'm not a rep. I do equine bodywork and saddle fit assessment.
How do I know that the riging is not I the right place
Any tips if you want to order one from a different country. Where I come from they only make really cheap ones and even those are expensive. So I want to order one from outside the country. Are there measurements that I could send to help make sure the saddle fits better?
Alex Harder Q
wolfsvain2...I think you mean high withers? You have to look for a saddle that has a tall gullet, something this video didn't address, though it was really good general info. for a typical stock breed. If you look at a few online saddle companies, they often, not always, give a height of gullet measurement as well as bar type and gullet width. Semi-QH bars means the angle of the bars are made to fit non-stock horse breeds that are less round in confirmation, like a Thoroughbred or Arab. Here's an example:www.horse.com/item/wintec-western-new-generation-contact-saddle/E012246/
@wolfsvain2 probably semi qh bars
@superkidoftoday
Not really, on Craigslist you will find MANY people who wants to sell their saddles, so they sell them for cheap. Also they let you go and see the saddle! give it a try!
Just a tip... if you go try on saddles find out what tree is in it and who makes it of course then try to find a used one!! That's what I did. Paid 1100.00 less. Same saddle tree fit like a glove!!
the tree is part of the saddle
The horse has such little legs!!!:D
lmao!!!!
Na k
I can mount without putting a gurth on ^^
Is that horse an albino?
The horse looks to be cremello. Which means it is a gene that causes the horse to have a nice whitish colour, with a pink hue to the muzzle.
Porno
It looks like an american cream in colour
It's a quarter horse, but either Cremello or Perlino in color.