Mistakes To Avoid When Fitting a Horse Saddle?

 

Adjusting a saddle is one of the most vital abilities a horse owner can develop. Both you and your horse will feel comfortable in a well-fitted saddle.  Your horse may get sores or even go lame if the saddle does not fit properly. No matter what sport you ride in, the fundamentals of saddle fitting are the same.  Similarly, a well-constructed saddle that is kept in good shape should last for many years, if not decades. However, you should examine the saddle’s fit at least twice a year and preferably once a year.

When a horse is ridden consistently, its overall shape will remain the same. However, when a horse is worked inconsistently or given a month or two off, its form may vary, necessitating some modifications to the saddle or saddle pad for the most excellent saddle fit. If you are confused about horse riding saddle width and length, this crisp blog will be very advantageous. 

Horse Riding Saddle Width: Wither Test for Western Saddles

After positioning the saddle, place your fingers between the horse’s withers and gullet.

1. An ideal fit is between two and three fingers wide.
2. The tree is too thin if your entire hand can fit between the withers and saddle gullet.
3. Too broad — The tree is too wide if the gullet brushes your horse’s topline or you can hardly get a finger through.

Avoid Common Saddle Fitting Mistakes

1. To allow for mobility, the front of the saddle tree’s bar should be placed under the shoulder blade.

1. Avoid over-tightening the cinch to account for a rolling saddle. Verify if the saddle fits the horse correctly. To help keep the saddle in place, experiment with a different saddle pad, a broader cinch, a neoprene cinch, or a flank cinch. 
2. Avoid making the cinch too tight. You exert more pressure before sitting in the saddle the tighter you cinch. It should be pleasant for the horse if it’s comfortable for you. The front breeze should be roughly as tight as your belt.
3. Unnecessary pressure and rubbing might occur if the saddle is positioned too far forward over the scapula. The rear of the scapula can be covered by a blanket, pad, or the saddle’s skirt, but the tree’s bars must be located behind the shoulder blade.
4. Avoid padding your horse excessively; the more padding you use, the broader and higher your saddle will sit on the horse’s back. Additionally, too much padding will prevent you from feeling the horse’s movements.
5. A pad that will absorb sweat and release heat is necessary if you plan to ride for a lengthy period. Your horse will feel more comfortable and have excellent airflow with pads and blankets made of natural fibres.
6. Wool is a fantastic example due to its inherent ability to wick away moisture and absorb stress.

Fit for the Rider Saddle

Saddle fitting is challenging since there are two living things to consider: the horse and the rider. You can determine the proper rider saddle fit by measuring the saddle’s seat and flap. The saddle seat must be appropriate for both the horse and the rider. A heart that is too short causes the saddle to contact the back in an unusual location, which may shift the rider’s centre of balance too far forward. The hindquarter muscles might be hampered by a too-long seat, which will lower your horse’s performance. 

Because of this, the saddle must be appropriately fitted to the horse and rider and the rider’s size and shape. The art of horsemanship includes delicate situations like this. What should be the perfect horse riding saddle width for an English saddle? Stay tuned to our blogs.