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Specialized Western Saddle

When purchasing a new saddle is it more important to fit the horse or fit the rider. I think that it is both but when saddle fitting there are a lot more things to consider for your horse than for you. So many riders are on horses that are suffering silently in pain or acting out and getting blamed

Author: Jackie Heinen

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Saddle fit, which is most important, horse or rider?
I am always surprised at people when they purchase a saddle it seems like their biggest concern is if the saddle will fit them. I see all these used saddles for sale on line in the descriptions they say 16" seat and go on to describe the saddle color, tooling, maker, and more. What they seem to fail to mention is what are the measurements to the parts that meet the horse? The size gullet, the spread of the bars, the skirt length. These are very important factors as to if the saddle is going to work for you and your horse.

Is Your Horse Cranky or Suffering in Silence?
If your horse is uncomfortable he won't be enjoying the ride like you. And our fit can usually be adjusted, stirrup length and even seat size can be made smaller with a tush cushion. I agree seat size is very important and proper stirrup length is very important. If you don’t have these thing right it is difficult to stay balanced but most of all it becomes uncomfortable. Other than that, your saddle has to fit the horse.

More to Saddle Fitting Your Horse Correctly Than You
There is much more to saddle fitting your horse correctly. You have to make sure it is high in the gullet and does not press on the withers, which are extremely sensitive. The bars of the tree are designed to lie flat on the back to distribute the riders weight evenly. If they are too small they will pinch the back at the bottom of the saddle tree bars. If they are too large of a spread they will dig into your horses back at the top of the bars. This variable in sizes is only a half of an inch with each different saddle tree size. With such a small measurement making such a difference you can see how easily you can get this wrong.

Consider More Than the Bottom When Saddle Fitting
If you have a horse with a short back your saddle skirt could be too long and rub on the horses hip bones. If he has small withers and you do a lot of trail riding you might need a crupper or britchen to prevent your saddle from sliding up on your horse’s neck. A breast collar will prevent the saddle from sliding back but it needs to be adjusted correctly so it does not restrict the shoulders. Not just the saddle but the cinch can gaul your horses sides into large open sores that will prevent you from riding.

White Hairs Are the Last Sign
So many horses are suffering in quiet pain, some are acting out and misunderstood, some are just nervous, sweating profusely and chomping at the bit. Then I hear, "I don't have white spots so my saddle must fit". I want to tell you a personal story (see below) about white hairs. When my saddle did not fit and what it took for the white hairs to show. The white hairs are the last to show you signs of a poor saddle fit. The white hairs are where the hairs have been damaged or died. If you ride a long time with a poor fitting saddle the hairs will always remain white. The hairs are dead and will never return with color.

Bare Tree Saddle Fitting
Once the saddle fits you need to saddle your horse correctly. I rode for many years and did not know some things about correct saddling. No amount of saddle pad can correct a poor fitting saddle and in some cases can make the fit worse. Consider when you purchase your next saddle you try a bare tree saddle fit, with this you can see for yourself how the saddle bars lay on your horses back. If you want to know more about saddle fitting and the bare tree saddle fitting process visit my web site for further information and complete instructions on proper saddling. Make your next saddle specialized for your horse for a much better ride for both of you.

About Author

Owner of Sugar River Western Saddles and Horse Tack
Getting the best fitting saddle for you and your horse with bare tree saddle fitting.
Web site: http://www.horsetack-supplies.com , About our saddles: www.horsetack-supplies.com/saddles.php , White Hairs Story: tinyurl.com/y85u3wd

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