Gullet size & measurements?

[thattaboytommi]

I’m about to order a Western saddle, and I’m doubting my skills at guessing my horse’s gullet size. I want this saddle to fit.

 So I'm asking any of you guys: How do you measure your horse's gullet size and withers?
 I know [B]my[/B] seat size (15"-16") but I do NOT want to mess up on HIS gullet size and the type the bars will be. 

Would anyone like to tell me what to measure and what measurements I’m looking for? My horse is a Quarter Horse with regular withers, and the saddle I’m looking at is listed as full-Quarter Horse bars and claims to fit most horses… has that worked in your experiences?
Thanks!
P.S. The saddle I’m looking at right now says gullet size is 7".

[Flash44]

Go to horsesaddleshop.com and download the tree templates. You can try them on your horse and they will give you a good idea of what width tree you need. The gullet width does not always acurately reflect the width of the tree due to the flare of the bars.

[thattaboytommi]

Thanks, will do! Last night after I posted this, I saw those free templates & wondered if I should print them out.

[beau159]

@thattaboytommi;8338032

I’m about to order a Western saddle
…

I want this saddle to fit.

…
the saddle I’m looking at is listed as full-Quarter Horse bars and claims to fit most horses… has that worked in your experiences?

One company’s FQHB saddle will fit different than another company’s FQHB, and that will fit yet different than another saddle maker’s FQHB.

There is no industry standard in the Western world. Heck, a saddle company could call their saddle FQHB but it might fit like a semi!

There is no way to “measure” your horse to ensure the saddle you are about to order is going to fit. The only way to tell if it fits is to try it on your horse.

Wherever you order your saddle from, make sure you are able to return it. Read the fine print.

Here’s a few general concepts to get you started, on Western saddle fit.
http://saddlemakers.org/id193.htm
http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/tree-and-saddle-fitting/factors-that-affect-tree-fit/

Your best bet is to go to a tack store that has a lot of saddles in stock, bring your horse, and try some on. Make sure there is someone truly knowledgeable to help you.

A saddle can have the exact same gullet width, but the fit may be completely different if the bar angle is a few degrees different.
And vice versa. A saddle an have the same bar angle, but if the gullt width is different, that will also change the fit.
http://saddlemakers.org/53a52dd0.jpg

[thattaboytommi]

Thank you! Okay, that’s what I thought. I’ll make SURE that the seller allows returns. I’d be sunk if they didn’t.

[GallopingGrape]

Exactly what beau said… you HAVE to try the saddle on, and better yet, ride in it. Get to your local saddle shop and try on a few!

[SuckerForHorses]

I like to compare western saddles to women’s jeans…

A size 5 Wrangler may fit you perfect, while a size 5 Levi’s may not have enough curve, or too much curve, or be too short, or be too long, etc etc etc.