How To Fit a Horse Saddle in the Right Way?
One of the most crucial gears for horseback riding, both for your comfort and that of your horse, is a saddle. While supporting the rider, saddles should not restrict the horse’s ability to move freely. Your horse may feel uncomfortable and won’t be able to move around freely if the saddle does not fit properly. Read on to know how to fit a leather saddle properly and why are saddles made of leather.
Moreover, you should be particularly careful to ensure that your saddle fits properly because leather saddle fitting is such a crucial topic.
Horses have literally changed totally in front of my eyes. simply by strapping a comfortable saddle over their backs. both from the viewpoint of performance and the viewpoint of behavior.
Signs That Your Saddle Might Not Be Properly Fitting Your Horse
When you place the saddle on your horse’s back, does it act up? This can indicate that your saddle doesn’t fit properly. Your horse may appear to be attempting to avoid work, but it’s possible that the saddle is making them uncomfortable.
Another indication is when you notice white spots or rub marks where the saddle should be on your horse’s back. In this situation, it is imperative that you speak with a specialist.
Signs That Your Saddle Might Not Be Properly Fitting You
Finally, your saddle should be a great fit for both you as the rider and your horse. Your saddle may not fit you well if you feel any discomfort when riding, such as difficulty keeping your legs still or a lack of stability in the seat.
The Saddle Should Be Adjusted for The Horse and The Rider
Training and health issues can arise from a saddle that doesn’t fit your horse properly. It will be uncomfortable to ride in and will toss you off of position if your saddle doesn’t fit you properly.
The width of the gullet is the primary aspect of the saddle that determines whether it will suit your horse or not. The withers of all horses are not created equal; some, like the
Thoroughbreds have prominent withers, while others, like the Arabian and Quarter Horse, have rounded, mutton withers. Your withers will be compressed if the saddle you select has a gullet that is too broad. The saddle will pinch if the gullet is too small.
The balance of the saddle while it is on the horse, the levelness of the pommel and cantle, and whether or not the saddle tips backward or forward are other factors to take into account.
A saddle that doesn’t sit level will put your horse under uncomfortable strain and make it difficult for you to stay in place.
But Why Are Saddles Made of Leather?
Saddles made of leather are significantly more comfortable to ride in. Because of its flexibility, the material may move with the rider. It is flexible, allowing for tooling customization. The fitting of leather saddles can’t beat the fitting of other types of saddle materials.
The Bottom Line
Your horse simply cannot perform at his best if his saddle doesn’t fit properly in terms of performance. It’s that easy. Just because your horse’s saddle doesn’t fit him properly doesn’t mean you’re only seeing a small portion of his potential.
And in terms of behavior, various behavioral issues can be linked to a saddle that doesn’t fit properly. Consider running in a pair of shoes that are two sizes too small. Do this for a few months, day in and day out. You’re going to start acting a little sour.
The same can be true of your horse. Therefore, if you care about your horse, make sure he’s cozy and at ease.