Finally, an easy to understand video on western saddle measuring. I want to apologize to all the horses I may have hurt without this knowledge. BTW, Mom's are supposed to put their thumb in the picture for that homey look.
This was so helpful. My mare is so wide and hard to fit to the point where her old saddle caused tension in her back. That made barrel racing a pain. New saddle and it fits great. Thanks!
This was the absolute most helpful video I have watched on saddle fitting. Very clear and to the point. I was confused until I watched this. Thank you so much!!👍🏼🐎
I have been trying to find a good comprehensive how-to for fitting a western saddle for months now. I didn't even know where to start, I've done English my whole life which is measured completely different this was very very easy to understand. Thank you so much!
This is the easiest way to measure this that I have ever found. I really appreciate this! I have a gaited horse with a horrid topline and my saddle is too wide for him so I'm needing to get a new one. I've never had to measure on my own, so this made me feel a little more confident
Thank you! I have a barrel saddle I am trying to figure out if it fits my horse, she is a pretty hard horse to fit so your video will be very helpful so I can determine if it will fit and if not what size she is! I have a hunch that it may be too narrow but I'm going to try these tips to see for sure!
I have a new quarter horse that I am trying to find out what saddle will fit him the best. I am glad to have found this so I can measure and get one that fits him correctly. He is still young so I imagine that he may be a bigger size later.
This was very helpful!. The only question I have is could you be more precise on where on the saddle you measure “the points” of the gullet ? How far up, inside or outside of leather, edge to edge? When shopping saddle that little bit or there makes a difference
What are your thoughts on flex trees. I trail ride a Missouri foxtrotter gaited mare. Very muscled back, low withers. Big stride / fast walk. Have tried 1 flex tree, and the saddle slips up on wither,, will not stay in place on downhill. Crates Reiner 4522-3 stays in place, snug fit. AQHA Steele Equifit D reiner tree.
Thank you very much for this information! I have a 6y.o. that I am slowly trying to break. He was weaned at 2.5 months old, so I have been doing a lot of ground work on him and waiting to see that he is strong and well-formed before I got on him (an added benefit is that his temperament has evened out quite a bit from is early years). The thing about this horse and finding a saddle is that his withers are very rounded, they are not clearly defined or bony. So, I am finding that the gullet is very important to prevent the saddle from rolling, but moreso to prevent pressure sores. I plan to follow your advice in finding him a new saddle that fits him properly. Do you have any advice to add to my calculations since his withers cannot be counted on to keep a saddle from rolling?
went to a Glenn saddle from Pagosa Springs CO , world of different, different shaped gullet, standard and Superwide sizes, made a big difference on 5 horses, they are much healthier and improved their performance 10X.. Flexible engineering ruler helps in wither measurement
Just wondering if you check for bridging along the bars, and do you sit the saddle so the bars at the horn are just behind the shoulder blade? How do you know if the angle of the bars at the front are too tight?
Lady Zhanom My gelding has high(ish) withers. I recommend full quarter horse bars, go up about a half inch at least for gullet size, and make sure you have a pad that has a wither hole, a pad that is contoured for high withered horses would help too. Some saddles are also made for high withered horses depending on the intensity of your horses wither height. Just make sure you are giving the withers enough space. :)
My gelding has very high withers and I use a quality 1.25" felt pad and a 6.5 gullet saddle. He has 10's of thousands of miles in 24 years of riding and has never been sore backed
I use a 1912UPS, CEF, CCC, WWI, Cavalry. Its 109yrs old.. Which were designed to fit 90% of all horses. Warrior is 6yrs old, 17 hands 1800lbs Black Perch, he's my best friend and he's gracious for choosing me as his rider. I believe in the oldways as the horse chooses its rider. If the horse throws you..he or she doesn't want that person as its rider. As silly as it sounds Warrior has never thrown me, nor have i even come close to being thrown..a previous horse threw me after the 2nd ride.
When I measured my 2 horses.. one measured 10" and my 8" gullet saddle fit her perfect. My other older horse (28 years old) measured 11". What size gullet do I need for him? Do I just go down 2" ? That's what I'm confused about
To much emphasis is put on gullet height. 2-3 fingers is a good approximate but depending upon the mfg and type of saddle (roping, endurance, trail, wade style etc.) The saddle can fit correctly as long as the underside of pommel is at least 1" above top of the back
Hi there. Just bought this horse and I think the saddle is too wide? If it pops in the back does that mean the bars are too wide? This one has full qh bars ua-cam.com/video/Nr8wBBcv9Kk/v-deo.html
Not sure this works as expected - the measurement should be done using piece of wire that can be bent. The measurement is lateral not length. See ua-cam.com/video/s3f44aoGwr0/v-deo.html
Finally, an easy to understand video on western saddle measuring. I want to apologize to all the horses I may have hurt without this knowledge. BTW, Mom's are supposed to put their thumb in the picture for that homey look.
THANK YOU for making a clear, concise and practical video with no distracting music or unnecessary chatter. Well done!
You are a very educated young lady. Thank you for this video, i needed this information. Keep them coming.
That has to be the best demonstration I have ever seen. You made it easy! Could you please do one for and english or dressage saddle?
This is the best video yet!! you made it totally understandable and I can’t wait to go outside and measure my horses so I can get myself a new saddle❤
This was so helpful. My mare is so wide and hard to fit to the point where her old saddle caused tension in her back. That made barrel racing a pain. New saddle and it fits great. Thanks!
Great job explaining a quick and easy way to measure the gullet. This was very helpful
This was the absolute most helpful video I have watched on saddle fitting. Very clear and to the point. I was confused until I watched this. Thank you so much!!👍🏼🐎
This was super helpful, best video yet to explain this in a simple way. Thank you for posting!
I have been trying to find a good comprehensive how-to for fitting a western saddle for months now. I didn't even know where to start, I've done English my whole life which is measured completely different this was very very easy to understand. Thank you so much!
This is the easiest way to measure this that I have ever found. I really appreciate this! I have a gaited horse with a horrid topline and my saddle is too wide for him so I'm needing to get a new one. I've never had to measure on my own, so this made me feel a little more confident
You explained this so well. Now I know what to look for. Thank you!
This is super helpful. The comment about your Mom's helpful finger in the view is very funny :)
Thank you, I have seen many confusing explanations of this. This is a good demonstration.
Thank you! I have a barrel saddle I am trying to figure out if it fits my horse, she is a pretty hard horse to fit so your video will be very helpful so I can determine if it will fit and if not what size she is! I have a hunch that it may be too narrow but I'm going to try these tips to see for sure!
This is super useful! Thank you for posting. My horse, Shiloh has a 7 1/2" gullet!
Awesome job explaining! LOVE the saddle!!! I need one in leopard!
I have a new quarter horse that I am trying to find out what saddle will fit him the best. I am glad to have found this so I can measure and get one that fits him correctly. He is still young so I imagine that he may be a bigger size later.
Great info and clear examples
Thanks
thanks so much this video really helps. this is the most info i have found so far.
This was very helpful!. The only question I have is could you be more precise on where on the saddle you measure “the points” of the gullet ? How far up, inside or outside of leather, edge to edge? When shopping saddle that little bit or there makes a difference
THAKS SOOO MUCH i am getting s new saddle this will help
Thanks good info, we use a flexible ruler, made by Alvin or Powertec, it holds the shape and have measurements on it already.
Thank you sooooooo much! saved my life.
Beautiful horse
Nice explanation ❤
Thanks, this is helpful! Looking for a saddle for my young horse :)
Perfectly informative. Thank you
Thank for making this
What are your thoughts on flex trees. I trail ride a Missouri foxtrotter gaited mare. Very muscled back, low withers. Big stride / fast walk. Have tried 1 flex tree, and the saddle slips up on wither,, will not stay in place on downhill. Crates Reiner 4522-3 stays in place, snug fit. AQHA Steele Equifit D reiner tree.
Thank you very much for this information! I have a 6y.o. that I am slowly trying to break. He was weaned at 2.5 months old, so I have been doing a lot of ground work on him and waiting to see that he is strong and well-formed before I got on him (an added benefit is that his temperament has evened out quite a bit from is early years). The thing about this horse and finding a saddle is that his withers are very rounded, they are not clearly defined or bony. So, I am finding that the gullet is very important to prevent the saddle from rolling, but moreso to prevent pressure sores. I plan to follow your advice in finding him a new saddle that fits him properly. Do you have any advice to add to my calculations since his withers cannot be counted on to keep a saddle from rolling?
yes this was very helpful..i like a 2 finger Golett
Could you use a measuring tape that you use for sewing?? Instead of cutting string and then measuring
Thank you, and when you have the cinch tight, how many fingers should you be able to fit above withers?
went to a Glenn saddle from Pagosa Springs CO , world of different, different shaped gullet, standard and Superwide sizes, made a big difference on 5 horses, they are much healthier and improved their performance 10X.. Flexible engineering ruler helps in wither measurement
Measure on top of line or lower end on mark?????
Best demonstration for us rookies I've seen...
Hi Ashley. Is this the way you fit an Australian Saddle as well?
Thank you
This is really good, but how do you know when you go to the shop that you got the right saddle?
DorienWKS // WildKAT ua-cam.com/video/gXANSuqjZ6A/v-deo.html
Thanks
I can only fit 2 fingers in gullet area and back of saddle pops up at the center, not sides. Does that mean saddle is too wide for her?
The Howard Tribe Yes it’s too wide but it sounds like it’s not too bad so a correction pad would probably help.
Thank you for sharing!
What does it mean when the skirt sucks into the horses back?
Just wondering if you check for bridging along the bars, and do you sit the saddle so the bars at the horn are just behind the shoulder blade? How do you know if the angle of the bars at the front are too tight?
How would you know what pad to get...???
Where did you get the saddle
Do you have any suggestions for a horse with high withers? I'm having such a hard time finding a proper fit :/ Thanks!
Lady Zhanom My gelding has high(ish) withers. I recommend full quarter horse bars, go up about a half inch at least for gullet size, and make sure you have a pad that has a wither hole, a pad that is contoured for high withered horses would help too. Some saddles are also made for high withered horses depending on the intensity of your horses wither height. Just make sure you are giving the withers enough space. :)
My gelding has very high withers and I use a quality 1.25" felt pad and a 6.5 gullet saddle. He has 10's of thousands of miles in 24 years of riding and has never been sore backed
great video
Love this so much!
how thick of pad ?? I have to use a 1/4 " vent pad for sliping. with a standard bliankt . '??
I use a 1912UPS, CEF, CCC, WWI, Cavalry. Its 109yrs old.. Which were designed to fit 90% of all horses. Warrior is 6yrs old, 17 hands 1800lbs Black Perch, he's my best friend and he's gracious for choosing me as his rider. I believe in the oldways as the horse chooses its rider. If the horse throws you..he or she doesn't want that person as its rider. As silly as it sounds Warrior has never thrown me, nor have i even come close to being thrown..a previous horse threw me after the 2nd ride.
When I measured my 2 horses.. one measured 10" and my 8" gullet saddle fit her perfect. My other older horse (28 years old) measured 11". What size gullet do I need for him? Do I just go down 2" ? That's what I'm confused about
Thanks for the help😊
thankyou very helpfull
Thanks!
Very helpful
What if your equine is over weight at the moment will this still hold true after he looses weight?
Debra Shepherd No, topline will matter though
So helpful
what about a saddle that rocks lifts up at the back
Do you measure the bar/gullet the same on flex panel saddles?
Rose C Yes, this works on any treed western saddle.
Thank you, that's great to know.
To much emphasis is put on gullet height. 2-3 fingers is a good approximate but depending upon the mfg and type of saddle (roping, endurance, trail, wade style etc.) The saddle can fit correctly as long as the underside of pommel is at least 1" above top of the back
Isn't the pad going to make a difference?
Hi there. Just bought this horse and I think the saddle is too wide? If it pops in the back does that mean the bars are too wide? This one has full qh bars ua-cam.com/video/Nr8wBBcv9Kk/v-deo.html
Arabian is as wide as full quarter horse it's just flatter on the topline
Here is a video discussing how to make a cut out of your horse’s back for easy saddle fitting! ua-cam.com/video/gXANSuqjZ6A/v-deo.html
Not sure this works as expected - the measurement should be done using piece of wire that can be bent. The measurement is lateral not length. See ua-cam.com/video/s3f44aoGwr0/v-deo.html
volume sucks