How to measure a horse for a western saddle

How do you know what size saddle your horse needs?

Attach the saddle to your horse and sit down in the saddle. While riding, you should be able to fit 3 to 4 fingers in between the swell and your thigh. If you can fit more than 4 fingers, your saddle is too big. If you can’t fit 3 fingers, then your saddle is too small.

How do you measure the length of a saddle?

Use the bottom of the tree points as your measuring locations. Do not bend the measuring tape around the saddle to touch the point; instead, imagine a line that runs from the bottom of the tree point to the front of the saddle and measure from there. You need a straight line across the front of the saddle.

How do you measure a child for a Western saddle?

The length of the upper leg is one of the main factors in determining what size saddle your child needs. You want to choose a saddle size that is about 10% longer than your child’s upper leg. For example, if your child’s upper leg is 9 inches long, you should get them a 10 inch youth saddle.

How do you tell if your saddle doesn’t fit your horse?

Here are six signs to watch for which could indicate that your saddle doesn’t fit your horse.

1. Pressure On Your Horse’s Withers. …
2. Sore Back. …
3. Unevenness From Front to Back. …
4. Extra Movement. …
5. Uneven Sweat Marks. …
6. Poor Horse Behavior.

How do I measure a saddle gullet?

Place your hand into the space between the saddle and your horse’s wither, using your fingers to measure the vertical space. The gap should fit no more than two fingers to two and a half fingers. If three or more fingers fit, the gullet is too narrow. If fewer than two fingers fit, the gullet is too wide.

What are the different saddle sizes?

Seat Sizes:

• Youth 12″- 13″ seat.
• Small Adult 14″ seat.
• Average Adult 15″ seat.
• Large Adult 16″ seat.
• Extra Large Adult 17″ seat.

What size of western saddle do I need?

Western Saddle Seat Sizes

Small adult: 14 inches. Average adult: 15 inches. Large adult: 16 inches. Extra-large adult: 17 inches.

What size saddle does my kid need?

A very small child or toddler will fit in a 7 to 8 inch seat, while kids between 3 and about 6-1/2 years old need a 9 to 10 inch seat. Kids between 7 and 10 years old usually fit into 11 to 12 inch seats, and kids age 11 and up are typically ready for size 13 and larger, depending on height and body shape.

How do you measure a child for an English saddle?

How to Measure an English Saddle Seat

1. Sit in a chair so your knees are at a 45-degree angle with your feet flat on the floor and with your buttocks touching the back of the chair.
2. Using a measuring tape along your thigh, measure from the back of your knee to the back of your buttocks.

How are English saddles measured?

Tip: The saddle seat size of an English saddle is measured in inches from either of the nail heads or brads on each side of the pommel to the middle of the cantle.

How do I know if my saddle is too narrow?

Evaluate Fit

1. Ideal: Saddle should sit level on the horse’s back placed so it seetles into the horse’s sweet spot behind the scapula.
2. Too Narrow: it should NOT be perched up in the front. It will pinch and cause discomfort.
3. Too Wide: it should NOT tip up in the back and the gullet should not site on the horse’s withers.