Bespoke, online equestrian saddlery and leather goods store…
Saddle Tips
Here are a few handy notes to make your life easier when it comes to saddle fitting and choosing the correct saddle for your horse or pony.
What's a good analogy of Poor Saddle Fit? Imagine running with a stone in your shoe, or trying to walk or jog in shoes that are too tight or too big... it causes pain, poor performance and no matter how hard you try, you simply can't do your best.
Once you can identify fitting issues and correct the fit of your saddle, or work out which saddle tree will suit your horse, you can bring out the best in your equine partner and yourself, in any discipline; for competition or pleasure.
A good saddle, that fits well will allow your horse to lift and move the way that it should.
Horses, Saddle fit and Saddle trees:
The key aspect for proper saddle fit should always be the best fit for the horse. Horses of different shapes require trees of different shapes and curvatures. You cannot successfully, or comfortably, especially from the horses perspective, use the same type of saddle tree shape in varying widths to fit every horse. For the rider’s weight to be carried and distributed evenly without pressure points, the whole tree must be similar in both width and shape/curvature for it to be a good fit on the horse’s back. Horses come in a variety of builds and shapes.They require different tree curvatures not simply the same tree shape/curvature in different widths. Check our Saddle Tips below for some helpful information.
Welcome to EQUESTORIUM™ Bespoke online equestrian saddlery and leather goods store…we’re not just saddles!
Woodvale Equissentials Ltd trading as
EQUESTORIUM™
Once you can identify fitting issues and correct the fit of your saddle, or work out which saddle tree will suit your horse, you can bring out the best in your equine partner and yourself, in any discipline; for competition or pleasure.
A good saddle, that fits well will allow your horse to lift and move the way that it should.
Horses, Saddle fit and Saddle trees:
The key aspect for proper saddle fit should always be the best fit for the horse. Horses of different shapes require trees of different shapes and curvatures. You cannot successfully, or comfortably, especially from the horses perspective, use the same type of saddle tree shape in varying widths to fit every horse. For the rider’s weight to be carried and distributed evenly without pressure points, the whole tree must be similar in both width and shape/curvature for it to be a good fit on the horse’s back. Horses come in a variety of builds and shapes.They require different tree curvatures not simply the same tree shape/curvature in different widths. Check our Saddle Tips below for some helpful information.
Welcome to EQUESTORIUM™ Bespoke online equestrian saddlery and leather goods store…we’re not just saddles!
Woodvale Equissentials Ltd trading as
EQUESTORIUM™
How to Change a Gullet
Click the button below for an easy step-by-step guide on how to change a gullet.
(Not sure which gullet plate to use? Use the helpful guides below to assist in the correct measurement of you and your horse for your new saddle. )
Fixed gullet or changeable gullet?If you have a young horse, or one that is likely to change shape from season to season (depending on work load; feed input; and genetics etc); if you are likely to change horses; or if you ride a variety of horses, a changeable-gullet saddle may be ideal for you. The great benefit of being able to adjust your saddle as your horse changes shape can be a great advantage. The other option is opting for a more traditional fixed-gullet saddle. These are great if your horse's shape isn't likely to fluctuate too greatly; if the horses you tend to ride are all fairly similar in breed and 'type'; and if you are going down the road of a fully custom-made saddle - in which case the tree is actually made to the measurements of your horse, for a near-perfect fit. Whichever option you choose, you still need to know what shape and fit your horse is, to select the appropriate saddle tree and gullet width, be it fixed or changeable gullet. Measuring your horse for back widthThe ideal width of a saddle varies from horse to horse, and horses are so often wider than their riders think! To take the guess-work out of choosing the right gullet size for your horse, measure your horse. Follow these simple steps: (this works for fixed OR changeable gullets)
>You will need: -Gullet measuring tool (or piece of pliable, firm wire) - Paper & pen >Start by standing you horse square, on flat, even ground 1. Standing side-on at the shoulder, locate your horse's scapular (shoulder blade) 2. Place you hand on horse's scapular and slide it back to 3-fingers width behind scapular 3. At this position place, gullet measuring tool across horse's back and press down firmly and evenly on both sides 4. Lift off tool - this is your horse's shoulder/wither template! 5. Lie it on the paper and trace the shape. 6. Repeat these steps to measure the back behind the wither in the area where the rider would sit. From here you can measure the width and compare to saddles, or place gullet plates on the tracing to select the best match Click here for more information and other measurements you can do using your gullet measuring tool. These tools come with full horse-measuring instructions, and many useful points and tips for correctly fitting your horse's saddle. You also receive a bonus link to a great saddle fitting video, which helps make the whole process much clearer and easier to understand, even if your're just new to this.
 Measure to the last 'floating' rib
For ideal saddle fit, it is important to know your horse's back only has a limited amount of 'saddle space', depending on size, breed and type. To work out what the biggest saddle size your horse is most comfortable wearing, follow these steps while standing on one side of your horse:
1. Locate your horse's scapular or shoulder blade. This is a bony ridge that is located at the top of your horse's shoulders, on each side, just below the wither. You want to be able to almost 'hook your fingers in behind the scapular' to know that you have found it. Tip: have a helper pick up your horse's foreleg and move it up and down while you stand side on, watching for the movement at the top of the shoulder. 2. Place your hand on the scapular and measure 3-fingers-width back (away from horse's head). This is point 'A'. 3. Locate your horse's last 'floating' rib. This is at the back of your horse's rib cage and may feel slightly 'springy' when you press down on it. This is point 'B'. 4. Using a dressmakers tape or your SADDLEfit Pro gullet measuring tool, measure the distance between these two points in inches. 5. This is the approximate size saddle that would suit your horse. |
Feel like you need a little extra help?Want to make sure you get it right? Have one of our friendly Saddle Fitters come out and see you, to measure up your horse, try on some saddles and select the most suitable saddle model for both you and your horse's needs (currently available in Canterbury & Mid Canterbury areas). Click Here to find out more about booking saddle fitting.
Q. Help! My horse's back is shorter than my leg measurement!A. If you find your leg length (see guide below) measures longer than the back length of your horse or pony, often you can compromise about half an inch, to 1 inch between the two sizes; eg horse measures 16" in back space and your leg measures 17"-17.5" for the ideal saddle size. Your horse will likely still be happy in the compromised size of a 16.5" saddle.
>>>If this scenario occurs, you may be most comfortable in a flat seat jumping saddle, where a rider who requires a bit more room in the seat may find they are able to be comfortable, while not going too much bigger in the seat size than the horse should ideally wear. Jumping saddles are great for all sorts of riding that you would do in a regular GP saddle; you can always do flat work and dressage in a jumping saddle, but you can't jump in a dressage saddle! 
Oakridge Jump Saddle
Helpful Tips and Suggestions:
-You may like to consider using a reputable saddle fitter to help you with measuring your horse prior to saddle purchase. (Click here to find out about our saddle fitting service). We are happy to provide our customers with saddle fitting guidance. If prior to ordering you are unsure of what saddle seat size to choose, we recommend checking out our Saddle Tips page. (Please Note: we are unable to refund based on you selecting the wrong size, as this constitutes a 'change of mind'). In conjunction with selecting the correct gullet size, adjustments can also be made to the flocking of the panels by a saddler if your horse needs some flocking to be added or removed to improve the overall saddle fit. Flocking of any new saddle usually needs to be adjusted after the 'breaking in period', and then between every 3-6 months to annually, depending on how much riding you do and how much your horse's shape changes. Remember, looking after your saddle and tack, ensuring safe, vermin free, dry storage, providing regular cleaning with appropriate leather care products, will all help to keep your equipment in safe and sound condition, looking good and to last longer. - It's also worth taking into account, that your horse can change shape over time, sometimes more quickly than you realise. A horses shape can change due to building/losing muscle, age, health issues, changes in the seasons or changes to feeding regimes etc. We recommend you check your horse's saddle fit regularly to help keep him/her happy and comfortable under saddle. |
Measuring the Rider
>Use the guide below to measure your leg and work out the best saddle seat size for the rider. (scroll down to see full guide)
Please Note: this chart is intended as a useful guide, however your required seat size many vary depending on your body build, as well as the available length of your horse's back etc.
Please Note: this chart is intended as a useful guide, however your required seat size many vary depending on your body build, as well as the available length of your horse's back etc.
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If your Upper leg length is:
Up to 41cm Up to 46cm Up to 50cm Up to 54cm Up to 58 cm From 59cm or longer |
We recommended this seat size:
= 15” saddle = 16” saddle = 16 ½” saddle = 17” saddle = 17 ½” saddle = 18” saddle |