How should a stock saddle fit?

There should be two to four inches of clearance between the top of the withers and the top of the saddle chamber. How can you determine saddle fitment in this way? A good rule of thumb is that you need to have four fingers of clearance at the front of the saddle and certain clearance on each side of the wither.

How do you measure a horse for a stock saddle?

The Australian stock saddle is traditionally measured in the effective air space between the knee pad and the cantle. Measuring in front of the knee pad or behind the cantle, the rider cannot sit on so measuring this distorts the effective size available.

How do you fit an all purpose saddle?

General, all-purpose and jumping saddles should form a slight U-shape along the back. The dip in the saddle seat should sit balanced on the back. General or all-purpose English saddles have pommels (front) and cantles (back) about the same size. The cantle may be slightly higher.

How do you tell if a saddle fits the rider?

So how do you know if a saddle fits the rider? There used to be the “one hand” rule: if the saddle was correct for the rider, the rider should be able to put one hand across the saddle seat between the back of their butt and the end of the cantle.

How can you tell if a saddle is too wide?

The saddle that is too wide is not such a common occurrence but nevertheless is to be avoided. If the pommel sits down lower than two fingers height from the withers, the saddle will more than likely be tipped forward out of balance.

How big is a 17 inch saddle?

Determine your size in an English saddle A leg/seat measurement of 16.5-18.5 inches equals a 16-inch saddle. A leg/seat measurement of 18.5-20 inches equals a 16.5-inch saddle. A leg/seat measurement of 20-21.5 inches equals a 17-inch saddle. A leg/seat measurement of 21.5-23 inches equals a 17.5-inch saddle.

What size saddle do I need for a 15hh horse?

Scapular to last rib 47cm/18 ¼” when you take off 5cm/2” for shoulder movement, that gives you 42cm /16” very small space for a saddle on a 15hh horse. 16.5” saddle set as far back as it can go without going past the last rib.

How do you tell if a saddle fits you?

Signs of a Bad Saddle Fit for your Horse You should be able to stick two of your fingers between the saddle gullet and your horse’s withers. The saddle should have even contact along both sides of the bars. After girthing up, your saddle should look even on the horse’s back, not tipping up or drooping down.

What size saddle do I Need?

As a general rule of thumb, a small adult will ride in a 16 to 16.5 inch saddle. A medium adult will normally need a 16.5 to 17.5 inch saddle and a large adult will need an 18 inch saddle or larger.

What makes a saddle be a gaited saddle?

Gaited Horse Saddles. In order to fit a Gaited horse a saddle must be able to adjust to all 3 dimensions of the horses back. All TW Saddlery Saddles have the patented fitting system that is the only one in the world that can independently adjust to all 3 angles of a horse. The fitting system allows for a horse to gait freely without shoulder pinching or restriction of movement.

What is the width of a saddle?

A saddle’s width is measured from edge to edge across the top, and Specialized recommends a 130mm saddle width for narrow, 143mm for medium and 155mm for wide. These figures should translate approximately across other ranges, with all other factors taken into account.

What is a saddle gauge?

Saddle Tech Gauge is a metal device consisting of four levers that are adjusted to give the shape of the horse under the saddle. Once the levers are set, a series of numbers are used to express the horse’s size. This works well if you are shopping for a saddle in a shop which uses this gauge,…