How to Measure and Fit a Western Saddle Seat

Are you trying to find a well-fitted Western saddle seat? Do you want to know which factors can help with the best fit? If yes, we are here for your help. It might not be easy to find a proper Western saddle seat, even for experienced. However, if you end up with the wrong size, you will experience inconvenience. Choosing the correct size is essential since it will decide your overall comfort while riding a horse. Moreover, you might need different sizes for different purposes since one size might not be the best for all types of horse riding.

A saddle seat will give you the desired stability and comfort, and you need to find the best one to avoid uneasiness. We will cover all the possible factors in the following to enable you to choose a proper one. You can go through them to know how to measure and fit a Western saddle seat. Additionally, we will cover other related factors to make riding safe, comfortable, and fun for you.

WHY IS PROPER FITTING A MUST?

Before going through the following, you can ask yourself a simple question. Why do you need a saddle seat? A saddle seat will support your riding and make it safe and comfortable. You will get more control and have the desired stability while riding your horse. However, if the seat is not proper or fitting is poor, you cannot expect maximum benefits. Here we can take a simple example. Just imagine you have poor-fitting shoes. What will happen if you wear too short or big shoes? You will experience pain, discomfort, and other issues. Similarly, a Western saddle seat can cause discomfort and pain if you buy the wrong size. Therefore, you will have to know how to measure a saddle seat to avoid confusion.

Proper fit will maximize the performance and comfort of your horse, and you will not experience behavioral issues. It will make riding easy, and you can expect receptiveness to leg cues. With proper fitting, you and your horse will enjoy your riding.

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SIZE

When it comes to the correct size, it refers to the rider, not to the horse. While choosing a saddle seat, you will have to consider your preference. Otherwise, you will not get the desired stability and balance. When you can manage to fit three fingers between your thigh and the swell of the saddle, the fitting is proper. Also, you will have to ensure that you can hold hands vertically between the seat and the cantle. These two considerations can enable you to find the best fit. Here are five rules you can go through to find a proper saddle seat fit.

* You will have to decide the size and fit based on the rider. It is worth mentioning that a saddle seat has nothing to do with the horse.
* Your preference will play a determining role. However, you will have to ensure that the fit is neither too small nor too large. Both these conditions can cause negative experiences.
* While measuring the seat, you will have to measure from the swell’s back at the gullet back top to the cantle edge.
* The gap needs to be four inches between the swell and your crotch. Also, you can check to know if three fingers are fitting between the swell and your thigh or not. If you can place three fingers, then the size is proper.
* Check that your rear is resting on the cantle base, but the back must not press against the cantle back.

Also, you will have to consider the cantle angle and height while deciding on size. If it is less than a 4-cantle, you will have a more relaxed position and open feel. When it is between 4 and 5, you will get better back support, but the sitting place will be in the middle of the seat. You can decide on the sitting position based on your preferences.

HOW TO FIT A SADDLE TO YOUR HORSE

Every horse will have unique requirements, and it might be challenging to find the correct size for your horse. Here are a few considerations you go through to make things easier for you and your horse.

* SKIRT LENGTH: The skirt should reach the hip joint, not beyond it.
* SEAT SIZE: The seat should reach the last rib of the horse.
* SADDLE WIDTH: When it comes to the width, you will have to check the size of the gullet to know the proper width. Check to see if you can place your fingers between the withers and the saddle.

You will have to position the saddle at the center of the horse’s back. You might prefer to sit at the center since it is the best point and will give you the desired balance and stability while riding your horse. More importantly, avoid using a saddle pad to fix the fit. If you do so, you will not get the desired support.

HOW TO MEASURE A SADDLE SEAT

Manufacturers measure the seat of the Western saddle in inches. They start the measurement from the tree before making a saddle. We will cover the tree measurement, and then we will go to the saddle.

Makers measure the size of the tree seat from the swell’s back at the gullet top to the cantle board or cantle’s leading edge. The top of the gullet and the cantle board will remain the same for Buster Welch and Cliff Wade Tree. Now, we will come to the saddle measurement. Manufacturers measure the size of the saddle from the swell’s back at the Gullet back’s top to the cantle binder’s stitching. The calculation will be almost the same as the previously measured tree seat size. However, you might find the finished size less than the tree seat size. There will be differences based on construction techniques and materials used by manufacturers.

In addition to the above measurements, some other factors will impact the fit. We can take the example of seat slope, seat depth, cantle slope, fork style, fork angle, and cantle dish. You will have both deep and shallower seats in Western saddles. When the deep one can support extreme activities, the shallower one will support better movements. The slope might be steep or mild, and the fork angles will vary to support the different activities of riders. You will have to consider all these factors to find a proper size for your Western saddle seat.

SIGNS OF POOR-FITTING WESTERN SADDLES

Poor-fitting saddles can cause discomfort to your horse, and a horse cannot express feelings. Therefore, you will have to look for signs to ensure that the seat is comfortable for your horse. You can check the body language of the horse and the fitting of the saddle. Here are a few signs you can observe to know whether the saddle fitting is proper or not.

* Saddle sores
* Irritation causing ear pining or tail swishing
* The sudden appearance of white hairs
* Resistance to signals
* Swelling on the back
* Scars or thickened skin on the saddle area

All these signs are an indication that the fitting is poor and causing a lot of discomfort and pain to your horse. If you notice any of these signs, you will have to fit the saddle properly. Make sure that the seat is level on the back of the horse, and the front needs to be behind the withers. Avoid too spacious and too narrow saddles since both can cause discomfort. If it is small, the forepart will ride high. When it is too wide, the forepart will ride low. Check all these to find a proper fitting Western saddle seat for your horse.

A few considerations can impact the result. A saddle will give you the desired stability, and it will not make your horse uncomfortable when chosen right. Any wrong decision will cause discomfort to both of you.

HOW TO CHOOSE AN AVERAGE WESTERN SADDLE SIZE

You might not find the best fit if you consider the average size. It is better to consider a proper measurement to find the best fit for your horse and you. However, here are the average sizes of Western saddles for different age groups.

* 12 to 13-inch for youths
* 14-inch for adults
* 15-inch for average adults
* 16-inch for large adults
* 17-inch for extra-large adults

These are the average sizes available for different age groups. But they might not be the best fit for you. Also, even if you know your size, you might not get a proper fit since different brands will have unique designs and styles in the same size. Hence, you will have to think ahead and measure to find the best size.

A well-fitted saddle can make horse riding comfortable, and it can boost the natural stride and enable a rider to accomplish whatever he wants. When a saddle seat fits well, both the rider and horse will be at ease. Take your time and find a suitable saddle for you and your horse. You will love the outcome in the end.