With your saddle correctly positioned, put your hand underneath and slide your fingers along the panel. If it doesn’t feel equally snug from front to back, it’s “bridging” –and the places where it’s tight will becomes sore from the extra pressure.
What is a saddle fitting?
The saddle should have 2-3 fingers clearance on the top and around the side of the withers The saddle must have be an opening (clearance) on the sides of his withers to accommodate the
shoulder rotation
upwards and backwards during movement. A horse whose saddle pinches his withers may be reluctant to go forward.
How much does it cost to get fitted for a saddle?
More extensive re-flocks may need to be done in my shop. Note, to have your saddle fitted and flocked, the average charge will be $175.00 (see price list below).
What to expect at a saddle fitting?
The saddle fitter will want to see you ride in walk, trot and canter on both reins While you’re riding, they will be making assessments on how the saddle is fitting now you are on the move. They will also ask for your feedback on how the saddle feels and how your horse is going.
How do you tell if your saddle doesn’t fit your horse?
- Avoidance behaviours – trying to walk away when being tacked up.
- Ears back/head shaking when saddle comes close by.
- Excessive tail swishing both in the stable and when ridden.
- Pawing the ground.
- Threatening to bite you when you come close with the saddle.
How important is saddle fit?
In fact, proper saddle fitting is important for both horse and rider The saddle on our horse’s back is our connection to him when we are riding. Anatomically, that region consists of the skin, with thousands of
nerve endings
, the epaxial muscles, the spinal vertebrae, and the junction of the ribs and vertebrae.
What happens if a saddle is too wide?
When a saddle is too wide in the front, it can sink down over the withers This takes the saddle out of balance by making the pommel lower than the cantle, which in turn carries more pressure over the front of the tree (at the withers/shoulders) than a saddle with a properly sized tree.
How do you tell what size saddle you need?
If you know your
seat size
in an English saddle, a
good rule
of thumb is to choose a
western saddle
with a seat size two inches smaller than your typical English saddle size Sit in the Western saddle. There should be about four inches between your body and the swell of the saddle.
Are English or western saddles more expensive?
Western riding is usually more affordable than English riding. The English saddle, as well as the English riding games, such as show jumping, can be much more expensive than their Western version.
Where can I get my saddle Reflocked?
Where can I get my saddle reflocked? The Saddle Bank offer a total reflocking service nationwide Once the saddle has been reflocked, it will need refitting to the horse. A saddle fitter should come out to assess the fit, and see if any additional flocking is required to get the perfect fit for your horse.
How much does it cost to re flock a saddle?
When the time comes to completely reflock your saddle, it is much less painful to re-flock wool than it is re-panel foam. It typically runs $250-350 , and you are usually only without your saddle for a few days.
How long does it take for a saddle to be made?
Q: How long does it take you to make a saddle? A: It takes about 10 working days start to finish. There are several stages where the saddle has to sit overnight while something dries.
Should a saddle lift at the back?
The saddle should not touch the horse’s spine above, at the sides or along its whole length Look from the front and back and feel for this down the gullet.
Do all saddles fit all horses?
There is no standardization in the industry for a Regular (or Semi-Quarter horse) tree and Wide (or Full Quarter horse) tree so different saddle brands will not fit the same The fit may also vary among disciplines. The gullet measurement is important, but it is the most misunderstood.
How much are used saddles worth?
The most popular price on used saddles is $500-$600 but this more often than not isn’t an accurate market value. Especially when it comes to the import saddles which can have a new retail price of $450… be sure you are not over paying for a low quality import saddle.
How much does a Western saddle cost?
Western: $200-$3,000+ The cost of a saddle varies quite a lot, depending on the maker, quality/ materials, if it’s used, if it is custom made, and what features it has. If you’re on a tight budget, you can probably go on social media or other online marketplaces and find a used saddle for pretty cheap.
When was the western saddle made?
The western saddle as we know it began development in the early 1800’s However, the origins of today’s saddle go all the way back to before the dark ages and Moorish horsemen. In the fourth century a nomadic tribe called the Sarmations who migrated from Central Asia, are thought to have invented the first saddle.
Does saddle fit matter?
Fitting Saddle to Rider It is important that the saddle fits the rider first No matter how well the saddle fits the horse, if the rider is not comfortable, their discomfort will always translate to the horse. This limits both the horse and rider in attaining optimum performance.
How do I know if my saddle is too small for my rider?
While you don’t generally see many people riding in saddles that are too large, it’s common to see riders in saddles that are too small. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit at least a four-finger width between the end of your seat and the cantle Any less than that and the saddle is too small.
Should a saddle fit the rider or horse?
Important is always that the saddle fit the rider first – because if it doesn’t then no matter how well the saddle fits the horse, the rider’s discomfort due to poor rider saddle fit will always translate down to the horse. This limits both the horse and rider in attaining optimum performance.
How saddle fit affects the horse?
The pain of a poorly fitting saddle may cause your horse to hollow his back or to be unable to lift his back Horses experiencing saddle pain tend to raise their heads high in the air as they are saddled, when the girth is tightened, or when they are ridden.
Is my saddle too far forward horse?
A saddle placed too far forward has the front of the panels sitting over the back of the shoulder blade This produces interference with shoulder extension, reducing the reach of the foreleg. Often there is a shortness and choppiness of stride which can mimic navicular disease.
How much wider Should your saddle be than your sit bones?
Many suggest adding about 20mm , as signified by the Road Bike Bros above, which would then land you on the ideal saddle. For example, if your sit bones measured 130mm, you add 20mm and voila, a 150mm saddle width will fit perfectly!.
How wide should the gullet be on a saddle?
The ideal width for a saddle gullet is between 2.5″ and 4″ depending on your horse.
Why does my saddle tip forward?
If you’re constantly trying to stay in balance when you’re riding, this can indicate that the saddle doesn’t fit your horse. “ Tipping forward is very common in Western saddles that don’t fit right ,” Harman notes.
Which is harder English or Western riding?
English riding involves a bit more balance and coordination of the reins and legs, so riders may not feel immediately secure in the saddle. The larger Western saddle makes it easier for the beginner to sit comfortably and feel more secure.
Is Western riding safer than English?
Western riding is considered safer than English because the Western saddle is larger and provides for more even weight distribution. However, both styles carry the same amount of risk because you are working together with a 1000 lb.
What is the most expensive horse saddle?
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the record for the most expensive saddle ever sold now stands at a staggering $653,234 or £432,310 This particular saddle belonged to the Crown Prince of Dubai, Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, and was sold at a charity auction in November 2015.
Citations
https://www.valleyvet.com/library/saddle-fitting-101.html
https://circley.com/saddle-fitting-made-simple
https://schleese.com/the-nine-points-of-saddle-fit/
https://www.smartpakequine.com/content/saddle-fitting-guide