I have a Crates QH saddle that fits my horses great - I am looking at buying another used Crates saddle but it has ‘gaited’ bars rather than QH bars (same Equifit tree).All other specifications are the same as my current saddle…I’m hoping it will work as my second saddle but am just a little concerned because it’s gaited. Does anyone have any advice or experience using gaited saddles and whether they’re ok to use on non-gaited horses? Thanks.
It’s my understanding that they are wider in front, but you’ll want to check with the saddle manufacturer to confirm.
IMO most of the claims of “gaited” saddle sellers stating some sort of advantage from some sort of “modification” to a standard saddle are tissue-paper thin. They are, in all probability, more hype than fact. The reality is that there IS NO standard conformation for a “gaited” horse. A Walker will be different than a Pacing Standardbred that will be different from a Paso Fino that will be different from a Mangalarga Marchador. As you ride the horse under you (not the horse in somebody’s book, video, or lecture) so also do you saddle the horse in front of you in a way to permit the horse to effectively do its job without suffering undue stress.
Within a breed there can clearly be established types. That we can account for without any great effort. But there is no universal rule on saddle fit and gaited horses except that you fit the saddle to the horse, rider, and job.
G.
1 Like
They are wider through the shoulders, which with a quarter horse is usually not a problem. I have a Circle Y Blue Ridge saddle, which was originally advertised a gaited saddle, and my horses have no issues with it. It was fitted specifically for them, and they are wide built horses.
As other have said, there isn’t a standard as to what manufacturers will label as a gaited saddle.
It could be the gullet width, bar angle, or the bars could be flared. One thing to note is that too much bar flare isn’t necessarily a good thing: https://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/effects-flare-and-its-not-pretty/
Even within a breed, there are assorted builds…have seen Standardbreds built like QH stock type to built like warmbloods, so there is no standard ‘copy’ like QH and Arab seem to show. My last two were one pony sized that had a nearly QH build while the other was over 16hh and built like a TB although with a tad more bone. This sounds like a take the gullible for more dough on the premise that they can sell more ‘gaited’ saddles
1 Like
I’m going to disagree because it is not always the case. Sometimes it is, but it doesn’t have to be.
G.
Thanks for all the feedback - really appreciate you taking the time to offer input.
I’ve had both the Crates gaited and equifit tree saddles. The gaited to me seemed to have a lot more flare in the front to accommodate the free-moving shoulders. That being said, I did have it on a couple of pretty built QHs and Paints and it fit them really well.
And where did I say always? Since you would like to nitpick.
You said, “They are wider through the shoulders…” This was a declarative sentence with no modification. You didn’t say “always” but didn’t temper the statement, either. So, taking it as read, it suggests “always” without ever saying it.
In the gaited world this is an oft stated claim and frankly has more exceptions than otherwise once you get away from the dominant North American breeds. That makes a “limiting” comment completely appropriate.
G.
So now you are both an English professor and mind reader as well?
https://animals.mom.me/difference-between-gaited-horse-saddle-western-saddle-7112.html
Neither. But I do read, write, and speak it reasonably well.
Why is this such an issue? You saddle the horse in front of you with a saddle that fits. If you need more shoulder room then buy a saddle with more shoulder room. I disagree that gaited horses are routinely wider in the shoulder. Some are; some are not. Deal with the horse you can touch, not the one you’re thinking about touching.
G.
2 Likes
