Know nothing about western saddles, as evidenced by the fact that I bought one for my husband’s gaited rescue. He now has a knowledgeable trainer and a used Brenda Imus saddle. So need to sell the Tex-Tan Hereford 16". How do I determine whether it has full or semi QH bars? How do I know if it is a roping or reining saddle? Thanks for any help here…
As for what type, post a pic and someone should be able to help you.
As for size, some people just say “it has a 7 inch gullet” but that really tells you nothing as different brands have different measurements (think of women’s pants!)
Could you call Tex Tan with a model number and see if they can help? Usually they will have a number on the back of a fender or somewhere else on the saddle. Heck, you may even be able to send them a picture of the saddle; sometimes a saddle company will only make a certain saddle with a set of specific specs, so its possible that saddle was only ever made as a “full QH bar” or whathaveyou.
I wonder if this would work?
Download these saddle-fitting templates.
Then, instead of using the part that fits over the horse to measure withers - use the part you cut out to fit into the saddle. That should tell you whether the saddle is semi-QH bars or QH bars. Right?
That site also tells you the angle of semi-QH and QH bars, so if you have a protractor handy, you could just measure the saddle.
There’s no reason that a gaited horse can’t wear a western saddle that isn’t a “gaited” saddle… In fact, of all the gaited horses I know none of them are in a specifically “gaited” saddle.
The names mean nothing, as stated just like women’s pants! I make a wither tracing and take it with me to try the saddle and don’t buy a saddle I’ve never seen and used before, online.
Stylistically, they are a little different, like a jumping vs an all purpose English saddle. It hasn’t been my experience that western saddles are as different as dressage to jumping, but they sure can be balanced differently and push you into the chair, although tipping isn’t as bad a problem. One of the things less mentioned is the position of the front ring for the cinch, if it’s far forward it pretty much always has a rear cinch too that needs to be firmly tightened, firm, not too tight. Slightly further back is called 7/8 and then almost under your leg is 3/4. Each placement has a purpose.
I really haven’t been in the Western world for so many years that I am completely unfamiliar with the newer things such as the gaited trees. I am suspicious of some of the “specific” saddles, we used to use a good saddle for everything that the horse could do, but times have changed so . . .
[QUOTE=pAin’t_Misbehavin’;7130936]
I wonder if this would work?
Download these saddle-fitting templates.
Then, instead of using the part that fits over the horse to measure withers - use the part you cut out to fit into the saddle. That should tell you whether the saddle is semi-QH bars or QH bars. Right?
That site also tells you the angle of semi-QH and QH bars, so if you have a protractor handy, you could just measure the saddle.[/QUOTE]
This will really give you a a place to start. Then having a tracing 2 fingers behind your horses shoulder to compare to saddles helps too.
Gullet measurements are tricky. If someone measures at the conchos and says it is a 8 inch gullet but up at the narrow part of the gullet is 6.5, it is most likely a semi bar. Most saddles are quarter horse bars, though 90 % of ads will say their saddle is a full bar. Very few saddles in my experience and long search for a wide enough saddle for my ridiculously wide mare, are actually a true full bar.
That being said, one company’s full bar 6.75 in gullet 90 degree angle tree is narrower than another company’s qh bar.
Really look at the angle of the bars from the front. A steep angle with a narrow gullet is most likely a semi, a little wider spread with a little more gullet room as most of the saddles you will look at are qh bars. A saddle is noticeably wide and comparatively flat angles are most likely a full bar.
So, first determine what angle of tree your horse needs, and then start looking at saddle that come in that bar. Some trees that are full bars may be the same as another company’s qh. Semi are just narrow. Those templates will help.
