Saddle Fit Questions

[ASpoonfullaSplash]

Hi all! I wasn’t sure if I should specifically post this in Western, so please correct me if I’m in the wrong place!

I’m currently stuck in the hell that is western saddle fitting on my 14.3h QH mare. It’s been a nightmare for two months now.

I started with a Tough-1 trainer with a 7” gullet. It was pretty tight in her shoulders. I believed this saddle to be SQHB, but upon purchasing the next saddle, I discovered it was actually FQHB.

I was advised to switch to a FQHB saddle by a barn friend, so I acquired a Rocking R FQHB saddle, 7” gullet. I loved this saddle for me because of the close contact, but it was still tight and it was too long for her short back.

I sold both of those and bought a cheaper Double S (Schneider’s brand) SQHB trainer with a 6.5” gullet, but I don’t like it for myself because of the lack of good contact and the stirrups are attached too far forward. It also feels like theres a gap at the top on the sides of her withers. The shoulder pressure is much better however. My barn owner said it looked like it was bridging. I can fit 4 fingers under the horn to the gullet. It also tilted forward somewhat when cinched rather than parallel to the ground. I did the test that Shleese suggests, which is use 2 crops to match the saddle and shoulder angles, and the angles are equal.

If it helps at all, I bought an EZ Saddle Fit Tool and got a “D1” when I measured. At this point, I’m tired, frustrated and wishing there was a saddle fitter near me in Illinois. I don’t have a trailer to go somewhere. I hate to keep buying and selling because my luck with that will run out eventually.

Sorry again if this post in the wrong spot! Tell me and I will move it! I just need advice because I want to ride again. ☹️

[IPEsq]

Any shops with consignment saddles near you that you could take on trial?

[candyappy]

If a 7" gullet is too narrow try a 7 1/2" or 8".

A saddle with a rounded skirt will fit a shorter backed horse better. My mare is very wide and I had good luck with an Abetta Endurance. Sadly all you can do is try saddles and hope it fits you both.

I did order and use a saddle fitting tool I bought at www.marystackandfeed.com when buying a used english saddle and it was a huge help and I got a good fit my first buy. It was eye opening how wide she really was. I would never have imagined she needed a 38cm in English.

Using the tool may help you in fitting a western saddle as well.

[ASpoonfullaSplash]

@candyappy Thank you for the info! I am definitely going to try this tool out. Can I ask you what the 38cm measurement applies to? I don’t know much about English saddle measurements, but I love to learn.

@IPEsq The closest consignment shop is a couple hours away. That is my next stop I think!

[candyappy]

@ASpoonfullaSplash

@candyappy Thank you for the info! I am definitely going to try this tool out. Can I ask you what the 38cm measurement applies to? I don’t know much about English saddle measurements, but I love to learn.

@IPEsq The closest consignment shop is a couple hours away. That is my next stop I think!

It is a wither tracing tool made of flexible material and it has the inches on one side and cm on the other. It comes with easy to use directions on how to / where to mold it over the area to get the shape and size gullet width needed for your horse.

I then traced it onto heavy cardboard and using a tape measure got my measurements… For a western saddle you can take your cardboard cut out and at least get a good idea if the saddle is wide enough in gullet width by fitting it to the saddle. There is more to fitting a saddle than that but it is a good starting point.

English saddle gullet width is measured in cm. Western in inches. I don’t know why???

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

I have found some of Saddle Fit 4 Life YouTube videos very helpful. They have some on Western saddle fit as well that might give you some additional insight. I’ve used lots of that information on fitting my new dressage saddle and my horse is much more comfortable!