I’m new to western saddles.
Why does it seem that with nearly every western saddle, as soon as you place in on the horse’s back, then slide it back behind the scapula, then the saddle is automatically sitting downhill and needs to be shimmed up in front?
Why don’t they make western saddles that can go behind the scapula and sit level, not downhill?
What shims do you use to raise up the front?
thanks.
I have a Thinline Pro Tech western pad, they make shims for it.
I made my own shims out of a 1/4 inch, 100% wool, pad liner my dog chewed up.
Two comments:
One is that many horses used for western events are built downhill, and the saddle is correctly following the horse’s back. The issue is with the horse, not the saddle.
Two is that by shimming up front to level the saddle you may very well be causing bridging with minimal to no contact in the center of the bar and be increasing the pressure on the back of the bars. Better to adjust on the top of the saddle for the rider rather than under the saddle.
This is all assuming that the saddle isn’t going downhill because it is too wide for the horse.
In most cases, if the saddle fits correctly, it will not sit downhill and you won’t need shims.
Good fit = level saddle … like this
Usually, when a saddle sits downhill, it is because the gullet and/or bar angle is too wide.
Just like english saddles, your saddle should be sitting level unless the horse is built downhill, in which case it still needs to sit level, just at the angle that horse’s back is at. Some minor shimming may be needed for a horse with pockets by their withers, but other than that shimming western saddles is not nearly as common as shimming english saddles. The Toklat Matrix saddles pads are shimable if need be.
[QUOTE=ytr45;8788630]
Why does it seem that with nearly every western saddle, as soon as you place in on the horse’s back, then slide it back behind the scapula, then the saddle is automatically sitting downhill and needs to be shimmed up in front?[/QUOTE]
That’s most likely because you haven’t yet tried a saddle that fits your horse properly. I find it much more difficult to find a good fitting western saddle than a good fitting English saddle.
As far as shimmable pads, Diamond wool is on the less expensive end. http://www.statelinetack.com/item/diamond-wool-contour-relief-pad-w-shim-pockets/E006939/
I’ve got a Thinline felt pad that can be shimmed. The pad and I had a rocky start (I really didn’t like it), but it has grown on me over time. Still not convinced it’s worth the money. Yes, I know, blasphemy. 
I read an article by a saddle maker one time who said that with most horses, the area where the saddle sits is indeed downhill, but in a good saddle, the seat will be built so that the rider sits level.
[QUOTE=NoSuchPerson;8794037]
I read an article by a saddle maker one time who said that with most horses, the area where the saddle sits is indeed downhill, but in a good saddle, the seat will be built so that the rider sits level.[/QUOTE]
Interesting! Do you remember where you read this article?
[QUOTE=ytr45;8796379]
Interesting! Do you remember where you read this article?[/QUOTE]
Funny enough, at the moment, I do. Back in 2003/2004, Mules and More magazine had a series of articles on saddle fitting that I found really interesting and helpful. So, I tore them out and stuck them in my desk. A couple of weeks ago I was looking for something in the desk and came across the articles. Which I promptly sat down and re-read. Instead of doing what I was supposed to be doing.
The author of the article where I read that was Tom Pritchard of Coyote Creek Saddlery in Colorado, which I don’t think exists anymore.
Coyote Creek Saddlery, I mean. I’m pretty sure Colorado still exists.
But I’ve just looked at it again and the article doesn’t say anything more on this subject than what I already conveyed:
“…Since they live with their back every day I don’t believe they care much one way or the other that the saddle slopes down. Now from my human point of view it is annoying, so I design the seat of my saddle to alleviate this problem…”
This is some excellent info on western saddle fit.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
