The next check is something most riders are aware of; ensuring sufficient clearance between the pommel and the withers. Thank you f. Reply Move your seat bones all the way from the cantle to the pommel. "You want it to sit where you're going to ride it." Pay the difference between your old saddle, and the To tell if your English saddle fits you, put it on a saw-horse or your horse and sit in it as you would for riding. To learn more about Saddle Fitting and how to recognise the signs of a poor fitting saddle please click HERE. Secondly check to see if the saddle is balanced. Hi, I was wondering how do I know if my barrel saddle fits me. Check sufficient space either side of spine at rear of the channel, Check for bridging/lightness under the saddle panels. Sometimes poorly fitting saddles cause riders to tilt forward or backward. from you, and once received we dispatch your new saddle to you. All rights reserved. Check the width of the saddle – the points of the tree against the horses back shape. English Horse Training. You should be able to stick two of your fingers between the saddle gullet and your horse’s withers. The wrong tack might leave you with a sore back after each ride. Therefore you may need some additional flocking added. Saddle trees or bars come in various widths and may have special features. To check the balance, put one hand on the pommel and one hand on the cantle and gentle put weight on alternating ends. If you find that you have trouble balancing from side to side or front to back in your saddle, the saddle itself may be the cause. If you are a horse owner or rider and would like to learn more about saddle fitting, and how the saddle can impact your horses performance and welfare, click on the link below: Thank you for reading this article! There used to be the “one hand” rule: if the saddle was correct for the rider, the rider should be able to put one hand across the saddle seat between the back of their butt and the end of the cantle. You send your saddle to us, and we buy it from you. Size: 14, … Armpit Pinch. If you tell us the wide tree Quantum seemed a good fit for your high-withered Thoroughbred but just seemed to sit a little too close to the wither, you might want to try one with a wither gusset or a trapezius or K panel. Ideally 4 fingers should provide sufficient clearance here, but please ensure the saddle is still clearing the withers once the saddle is girthed up and the riders weight is on board. A saddle which is too large leaves you feeling loose in the tack, while a saddle that is too small also inhibits your ability to align yourself correctly for good balance. A saddle that fits a horse well at one time can eventually fit poorly due to changing back conformation or atrophy (muscle wasting). Have you ever ridden in a saddle where you never seem to sit back down in the same place while you post? https://pak.horse/2XXcESeDoes your saddle fit your horse? payment to you: depending on the circumstances. Keep in mind that Western saddle seat size refers to rider fit and has nothing to do with how the saddle fits the horse. 15 signs your saddle doesn't fit - negative behaviour in your horse. If you find that you have trouble balancing from side to side or … If you find that your legs come so far forward on the flaps that they hang off the front, or if your seat moves up or off the back of the saddle, then you’re riding in a saddle that’s too small for you. This compensation can cause tension, leaving you unusually sore after riding. You Have Trouble with Your Balance. More often, people understand one or two points of fit, but may miss the rest of a 10-part equation. (NOTE: Some saddles do have high cantles, but you should be looking to see if the saddle is level) When you tack up on a daily basis you may notice some signs of your saddle not fitting. So how do you know if a saddle fits the rider? Stand next to your horse, with your left shoulder to the horses left shoulder (facing its bum). To do this you need to look for the points of the tree. Bringing in a professional saddle fitter can also make finding a saddle that fits both you and your horse easier. you, and once received we will transfer you the payment. Let’s take a look at why this probably isn’t the most accurate information. But take the time each month to go through the 8 steps above to ensure your horses comfort. Once you have checked these steps, repeat on the other side. Tips on how to tell if your sidesaddle fits your horse, and answers to frequently-asked questions about "riding aside." Luckily, if your saddle is just a bit too wide for your horse, there are a number of things that you can do to improve its fit. Look at the angle of the point of the saddle, and look at the angle of the horses shoulder. Just make sure that you double check every brand of saddle circle Y's semi bars may not be the same as double J ect. We hope you found it useful! Now scoot back in the saddle until your seat bones feel comfortable in the lowest part of the saddle. Material: grain leather, suede leather. If you can fit more than 3 fingers, your saddle is probably too wide. The 6 Most Important Vaccines Every Horse Owner Should Consider, 40+ Tasty Fruits and Veggies That Are Safe to Feed Your Horse, The Top 6 Best Mane Care Products on the Market, The Ultimate List of Pros and Cons of Leasing a Horse to Consider, 13 Best Reasons to Try Equine Therapy For Kids and Adults. If … If the saddle looks like it fits well from the ground, it’s time to go for a test ride to see how your horse goes in it. Poor Horse Behavior. If an "expert" can’t EXPLAIN and SHOW YOU where and why a saddle fits, then they don’t really know if it fits. If the saddle causes you to slip to one side, or forces you to lean backward, you won’t be able to sit in a correct, balanced position, and that will affect your horse’s way of going. What you see: Patches of hair loss or crusty skin on his side, underneath the girth. The width of a saddle should closely correlate to the width of your sit bones. Often a poor fitting saddle will drop down over the withers with a rider on. But to be safe and effective, it also has to be the right size for the rider. Finally, check the stitching on your saddle flaps to make sure there are no loose stitches. You should also check the straps to ensure they are in good condition, with no splits, and that the stitching on the straps is all in tact and secure. Then check out these five signs to watch for. Also, the saddle has to fit you too! Leave a Comment. You should not be able to feel any gaps, or holes, but a smooth, even contact. If you feel like you’re constantly riding uphill or downhill, check your saddle fit. Your email address will not be published. The saddle is built on a "tree" and has "bars" along each side. A well-fitting saddle will put you in a natural, secure position, and you should have room both in front of your knees and behind your seat. They are great, and then you know for sure if your saddle fits or not. new one. Master Saddle Deborah Witty explains seven saddle-fit points so you can become an informed consumer. If you can fit less than 2 fingers between the saddle and the withers, the saddle is probably too wide for your horse. When a saddle fits well, those bars make contact all along the horse's back, dispersing the … Orders placed before 11:00 am GMT (UK) will be dispatched the same day (Monday - Friday). Palm down (or up) whichever works best for you, run your hand underneath the panels, whilst placing light pressure on the saddle. If you see dry areas, it is supposed to mean that the pressure there was so high that it shut down the sweat glands. First, you should measure your sit bone width. Even some companys have been known to mess up with saddles. You can do this palm up or down – whichever works best for you. If you find yourself with lots of room to move forward and backward in the saddle, it’s probably too big for you. Before you try to fit a Western saddle, place a saddle pad on the horse's back. When riders talk about saddle fit, 9 times out of 10 they’re referring to how well the saddle fits the horse. Firstly check if … There is a gap in the centre, meaning it touches the horse and the front of the panel, and at the back, but not in the middle; essentially creating a bridge. We arrange a courier to collect your old saddle I’ve ridden English for over 10 years and did barrels part time. Too much movement is also a danger to the rider as excessive movement side to … How can you know if your saddle fits right, and how do you measure to make the right purchase? Commission fee from 12% – Extremely Competitive! It is very important that … Website by Geek. When you take your saddle off at the end of a ride you should see even sweat marks on both sides of the spine that resemble the bottom the saddle. Some saddles sit too low at the front, which will drop down over the withers and cause discomfort in a very sensitive area. Without proper support, you risk damaging soft tissue and causing long-term saddle soreness. If you suspect that your saddle doesn’t fit you, ask a trainer or friend to watch you in the saddle to help you assess exactly what’s wrong. Trail Saddle with 5” cantle will feel smaller in the seat than one with a 3.5” cantle English Saddles don’t convert exactly but often are 2” bigger 18” English = 16” Western Riders with inseams under 30” or 5’ tall and under often need custom cut fenders This may be partially due to the saddle being uneven on the horse’s back, but it can also be caused by the saddle truly not fitting your body. "To check fit, put the saddle on your horse's back without a pad," advises Oliver. If your Western saddle does not fit you or your horse properly, injuries could occur. You should be able to see if the point is following the shape of the horse, or if it is sticking inwards (too narrow), or if it is sticking outwards (too wide). payment to you: by paypal on the day we agree to purchase it, or by bank transfer on the day the saddle arrives to us. Seven Saddle-Fit Points that Every Rider Should Know. In general, horses with a wider build need wider trees or bars. Great for those who want the best price for their saddle. The last step in learning how to fit an english saddle is to take it for a test ride. A crucial step which is often not thought of by horse owners, is sufficient clearance either side of the withers. To do this, place the saddle down, and run your hands along the panels. Sweat patterns can indicate how the saddle fits. Ensure there is sufficient space all the way down the gullet channel on your horses back. A saddle that is too large for you can leave you feeling insecure, and makes it difficult to maintain a steady position. Rod Nikkel, a Western saddle tree maker for over 20 years, explains the essentials of how to check your Western saddle for fit. Ensure the saddle does not block the horse’s front shoulder or extend beyond the last rib in their ribcage. Where do you start to figure out if it does or doesn't? There should be approximately four inches between the front of your body and the fork (or swells). The directions on evaluating saddle fit will explain the basics on how to tell if the tree size is correct for your horse. Some saddles will sit with the pommel too high, which will push the riders weight too far back in the saddle, which could cause muscle atrophy under the panels. You probably already know if you ride a round pony that’s shaped like a barrel (no prominent withers) that you need a very wide saddle. After girthing up, your saddle should look even on the horse’s back, not tipping up or drooping down. Are you wondering if your saddle fits you? One that’s commonly overlooked, however, is poor saddle fit. A balanced saddle should not show much movement. When a saddle is too narrow, there is nothing that can be done to improve its fit; adding saddle pads will only tighten the already too-small fit, making your horse uncomfortable. We would also love you to join our community of horse lovers on Instagram and Facebook! Several factors come … In … SilverFox All Purpose Pad Flap Saddle – Best Value. Your email address will not be published. Damage from past saddle … This will cause uneven pressure points and extreme discomfort for the horse. Required fields are marked *, Copyright © 2021 I Heart Horses on the Foodie Pro Theme, 5 Important Signs That Your Saddle Doesn’t Fit You, « 5 Tips To Safely Take Your Horse Swimming, 6 Considerations Before Bringing Your Horses Home ». Here is how the theory goes. When placing it on the horses back you should be able to see if the pommel and cantle are sitting level. Buy the one you want on our website, once happy with We tend to try to compensate for saddle fit issues without even being aware of it. Stand behind the horse and look through the gullet, or the hollow space over the horse’s spine, and make sure you can see all the way to the horse’s mane. To check the fit of your jumping saddle, perform this simple test: Have someone hold your horse while you drop both stirrups and let your legs hang straight down. Many horses will let you know if a poorly fitting saddle is causing them pain. We take your old saddle in part exchange for another As a horse’s musculature develops … Grab the saddle firmly and see if there is any or excessive movement. The saddle should have even contact along both sides of the bars. Please do check out our YouTube channel and subscribe for loads of videos, tips and tricks! Should you find any issues with any of the above call your local qualified saddle fitter immediately so they can carry out the necessary repairs. Ideally, the sweat pattern will be even, without dry areas that show pressure points or areas where the hair has been rubbed off, ruffled hair or swirl marks than signify excessive movement. Whether you are buying a new bike, switching between bikes, or simply installing a new saddle, bike fit is important. Check to see if the seat is level. A correctly fitting saddle is crucial for the safety and comfort of both horse and rider. Firstly check if the width of your saddle is suitable. The same is true of pain in other areas of your body, like your knees. it, we then arrange a courier to collect the old one from The deepest part of the saddle seat should be parallel to the ground, … If you stand behind the horse, you should be able to look at the back of the saddle and see daylight through the gap in the tree at the bottom of the saddle. Bridging is where the saddle does not make contact consistently along the panel. And if not you can figure out what he needs. As a horse owner, you have a responsibility to ensure your horse is comfortable and capable of performing the job you are asking of him/her. Take a look at the saddle on the horse. If a saddle is unbalanced you will see the cantle lift quite a lot when putting pressure on the front. A loose saddle is a sure sign of improper fit and could cause the horse permanent damage and certainly discomfort. This article is designed to highlight to horse owners to check your saddles regularly, so that if you spot something that could be causing pain/discomfort you can react quickly by contacting your local qualified saddle fitter and have them out to assess the saddle. You should be looking at the angle of the POINT, not the panel. The gullet channel of your saddle should not sit on or closely either side of the spine. How to take a template of your horse - Saddle Fitting, Next Day Delivery Available for UK Mainland. If you can’t fit at least 4 fingers, the saddle is too small. Fitting the Sidesaddle. Many horse owners do not know how to check their saddles, and are not able to recognise key signs that a saddle does not fit. 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Reply the last rib in their ribcage need help on how to know if your sidesaddle fits your properly! Pad Flap saddle – best Value if … https: //pak.horse/2XXcESeDoes your saddle fits without riding it... Once received we dispatch your new saddle, bike fit is important your. Check is something most riders are aware of it. consistently along panel. Is vital to your horse ’ s withers if your saddle is built on a daily you! – best Value stitching on your horses comfort and performance GMT ( UK ) will be invaluable in another..., leaving you unusually sore after riding: Patches of hair loss or crusty skin on his,... To frequently-asked questions about `` riding aside. and then you know if a saddle or! Rib in their ribcage there should be looking at the angle of the.! S back, not tipping up or down – whichever works best for you can become informed. So you can leave you feeling insecure, and look at the front of the horses back you should check. 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