How to Fit a Western Saddle Full Guide
The saddle is the structure that helps the rider sit on the horse comfortably. There are many types of saddles on the market. Western saddles are the most commonly used products these days as they provide many benefits to the rider and the horse. You can only get the benefits of this product when you use a perfect fit. We will help you find the most suitable size to fit perfectly on your animal.
Choosing the perfect saddle size
It is not easy to choose the perfect size. It takes many years of practice to understand all aspects of this product. You must select the most suitable product if you want a proper fit. Some animals have different requirements. You should also know the function as racing saddles can be expensive.
MATERIAL
You will find it made of different materials. Traditionally, leather is the material to manufacture these items. You can find saddles made of fiberglass, wood, aluminum, steel, and iron. When you want a lightweight product, it is better to use fiberglass or plastic. Steel and aluminum have high durability. Most people like plastic material because of its high durability and low cost.
SIZE
The size of the saddle should match the horse perfectly. It is also crucial to know the perfect fitting for the rider. People with small heights cannot use high accessories. The size ranges from children to large adults. Children need the product 12 to 13 inches. When a large adult is riding, he may need the 17-inch product. It is impossible to ride an animal when not using the perfect size product. Using the wrong size can harm the animal also.
SHAPE
Most saddles are available in the V shape as these saddles provide firm fitting ability. V-shaped products can disturb motion dynamics. If you want a perfect product for racing, it is essential to look into U-shaped products. These products provide better motion dynamics. Some animals have a long shoulder line. You cannot fit the traditional saddles. It is better to get a specialized product for them to avoid house back soreness.
CUSHIONING
It is essential to use saddle cushioning when riding the horse. Without the saddle cushioning, the saddle will irritate the horse’s back. Adding more cushioning is beneficial to a limit. If you are racing, you cannot add more cushioning as it can increase the weight. It will also increase the height and disturb the aerodynamics of the riding.
How to fit
Most people think that you can strap the saddle to the horse without effort. Experts do not see it that way because they have to care for many things while fitting the saddle. We have compiled a list of aspects to care for when fitting the product.
POSITIONING
There is a simple way to find the perfect position. You can place the product on the withers. The position should be slightly forward. You can slowly slide it backward to see where it stops. When it stops, you can check the position. It is better to repeat the process a few times to ensure it stops at the same position. You need to check the shoulder movements. It is not suitable that the product hinders shoulder movements.
WITHER CLEARANCE
It is better to check the wither clearance when dealing with a wool-padded saddle. Wool pads can elevate the saddle. It appears that there are some issues with the fitting. You can increase the acceptable limits in this case. You may try to avoid the space between the pommel and the withers. In this case, you can move forward even when there is a space of three fingers between the pommel and wither.
POMMEL-CANTEL AJUSTMENT
When checking the saddles used for racing and other purposes, the pommel is mostly higher than the cantel. You can check the height by checking the product from the side view. It is acceptable to have the same level pommel and cantel when you are dealing with the jumping product.
SEAT LEVELING
Your riding position depends on the seat level. If you do not have a perfect seat level, you may face back issues. It is also troubling for the horse’s back. You can check the seat level by comparing it to the ground. The seat should be parallel to the ground. When the seat is tilted, it will not distribute the weight accurately. A tilted seat can also lead to accidents as the rider cannot balance.
GULLET CLEARANCE
The gullet is responsible for the free movement of the spine muscles. Older products had a narrow gullet, it was not suitable for horses with wider spines. A narrow gullet can block spine movements and causes trouble for the animal. If it is wider than the limits, it will put pressure on the back muscles. You need to find the perfect size. It is possible to check the gullet fitting by checking from the back. There should be some light coming from the gullet.
PANEL CONTACT AND STABILITY
If you want your horse to run without disturbance, you need to check the panel contact pressure. Some panels have wool or other paddings. You can post the saddle with one hand and run the hand under the panel. Every part of the panel should put equal pressure on the horse’s back. Most people face bridging issues in the panel fitting. The back and front of the panel are touching the horse. The center does not have a contact. It will put more pressure on the horse’s back. Rashes may appear after some time if there is a bridging issue.
The problem of ill-fitted saddle
It is only possible to ride comfortably when your horse is running with comfort. It is better that you find the most suitable saddle for your horse. With a perfect fit, it can be troublesome for you and your animal. We have compiled a list of disadvantages associated with ill-fitted products.
HORSE IRRITABILITY
Your horse may show signs of irritability when the product does not fit perfectly. You can observe the irritability signs by checking the horse’s ears and tail. The horse will swish its tail continuously. It may also pin the ears as a sign of irritability. You should not wait for the physical damage signs if it is giving you signals using the tail and ears.
LACK OF STABILITY
An ill-fitted product will not let you ride with stability. When the product is hindering the spine and muscle movements, the horse will not run straight. It will try to avoid the uncomfortable position by putting more pressure on one side. Lack of stability can lead to accidents.
RASHES
If the horse has rashes all over the body, it can be a sign of scabies or mites. If you only find rashes and scars at the back, it can be related to the fitting. When your saddle moves during riding, it will disturb the skin. You will see some early signs as the hair wilt on the back. If you continue this for a few days, scars will appear on the horse’s back.
MOVEMENT ISSUES
Movement issues are frequent when the saddle interferes with the wither and the spine. If the gullet is narrow, it will affect the spine movement. The horse cannot attain full speed with unsuitable horse gullet. The situation is the same with the gullet. The movement disturbance is more visible in jumping horses as they need more muscle coordination.
HEATING
When the product fits on the back accurately, there are channels for heat escape. Heat is due to friction. When there is high friction due to ill-fitting, the horse will suffer. You can check the temperature under the product after the horse run for a few minutes. If the skin is hotter at one point, you need to correct the issue.
ANATOMICAL DAMAGE
An inexperienced rider can become a nightmare for the horse because he cannot fit the product. Some ill-fitted saddles have caused anatomical damage to the horse. This damage can be acute or chronic. The acute damage is due to an accident. Instability leads to accidents. Chronic conditions are frequent when the saddles do not fit. Without accurate fitting, the horse will run in the tilted position. It has to compensate for the pressure on one side. It will lead to an increase in muscle mass on one side. This muscle mass will add to the imbalance because it can also affect the bone structure. The anatomical damages are sometimes irreversible.
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Conclusion
By looking at all the factors related to saddle fitting, we can conclude that you should get an expert opinion when you buy a new product for your horse. People should get training to fit the saddle as it is a complicated task. Once you are proficient, it will become a piece of cake. It is impossible to use one product for every horse as they have different product requirements according to size, structure, and function.