Saddle fit ??

[2ndyrgal]

I have a dreamy, lovey appendix QH, a recent rather accidental purchase. He’s going to be perfect for trail riding. I have an English saddle that fits him well, but… my trail riding buddies all have western saddles. They don’t laugh and point, but it isn’t like I can really have useful saddle bags, etc. I’m considering the switch for several reasons.

I have zero idea how to fit a western saddle to a horse. Are the trees different widths like English saddles? Also, I’m older, have shoulder issues and I’m short, so, remembering the old ones we used when the earth was cooling, I’d like something that weighs less.

I have four very nice English saddles. I’ve never had a horse that at least three of them didn’t fit. Only one of them fits this horse, his withers are a little “round”.

Help me please. He’s a lovely sweet boy and I’d never do anything that would make him uncomfortable. He was ridden western by his previous owner, but I no longer have their contact info.

[Silk]

I am in the same boat…but trying to fit a western saddle to a welsh pony. mine wears a beval pony saddle when he plays hunter but i am desperately trying to fing him a western show saddle. his western schooling saddle is a crappy old Silver Cup synthetic but it fits him great. it has a 4 1/2 inch gullet and seems wider through the shoulders. Ugh!!!

[fairtheewell]

The Abettas are light and fit a lot of horses well. You probably need the full quarter horse bars. They have endurance models, like the Serenity with no horn and a memory foam seat, very comfortable and balanced, and the Western with a horn that many people swear by. Very affordable. Their saddles have gotten very good reviews. I love mine.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

I used these templates from horsesaddleshop.com. I downloaded them and then fit my wither tracing to the templates. Got a great fit first time.

While you’re on that site, check out the Fabtron Lady Trail saddles. I have one. It weighs the same as my Ovation Show Jump saddle. It does not put me in a chair seat. And now I can haz cool horn bags!:yes:

[Foxtrot_s]

I have an English pad that goes under my English saddle and it has large pockets on the side - I put buckle straps on the back so I can roll a raincoat up and strap it to the back, so I can carry water and lunch as well in the pockets.

I do ride English, too, in my full seat prissy dressage breeches, and nobody ever snorks or points…by my horse is very brave and I don’t let her down, either!

I’d like to have a Western saddle to satisfy my inner cowboy, but do not NEED one.

[Pocket_Pony]

I got a western saddle a few years ago when I got my mustang, and I LOVE it! Of course, you don’t need a western saddle for trail riding, but I do find it more comfortable than my english saddles. I like having the horn to wrap my reins around so I can work on my seat while out on the trails (WTC, transitions, lateral work with no reins), and I always wanted a western saddle for some reason.

I’m with you, though, I don’t really understand the QH vs. semi-QH vs. whatever bar configurations. I did rent Dave Genadek’s DVD on fitting western saddles and it was pretty similar to english saddles, but there’s just so much more stuff that it is hard to figure out (like different kinds of rigging and horn swells and cantle styles, etc).

The western saddle I have is a Specialized and those are cool because of the various fitting options with the panels and shims. I loved it for a while but for a couple reasons I’m looking for something else. I’ve actually got a treeless western saddle from Freeform coming my way today so we’ll see how that goes. I can’t stand something too heavy with old shoulder injuries - plus, I just don’t need a big ol’ honkin’ saddle since I’m not roping or anything like that.

If you can go to a tack store and sit in a lot of saddles, that will help you decide what style you like. Then bring a bunch home and try them on your horse - just like you would with an english saddle. Unfortunately, there’s really no easy way around it!

[imaginique]

[QUOTE=pAin’t_Misbehavin’;7127841]
I used these templates from horsesaddleshop.com. I downloaded them and then fit my wither tracing to the templates. Got a great fit first time.

While you’re on that site, check out the Fabtron Lady Trail saddles. I have one. It weighs the same as my Ovation Show Jump saddle. It does not put me in a chair seat. And now I can haz cool horn bags!:yes:[/QUOTE]

Ditto except I have the Fabtron Cross Trail. It has FQH Bars.