Second, the angle marked on the back of the fork does not make a consistent fit due to other angles in the tree. The height and width of the gullet are measured in inches.

Pin on Horse Saddles

Western saddles come from 12 to 17 inches.

How to measure a western saddle bars. When measuring a western saddle's seat, don't make the common mistake of touching the tape measure or ruler to the saddle pommel to get the seat measurement. If you're unsure of the type of bars your saddle has no problem, just sit it on your horse with the saddle pad you're using (making sure it's the right on to suit your saddle & horse) then once it's in the position you think is correct sway it back and forth a little so it finds its own spot ( this will happen anyway as you ride so you need to get it to that place to start with) You want to look at how much space you have between your thigh and the edge of the swells.

Place your tape ever so slightly below that joint on the inside of the gullet on the fleece and measure across to the other side in the same place. A narrow gullet width will keep the saddle perched higher. To measure the skirt length, use a tape measure and stretch it from the complete back to the complete front of the skirt.

The two most critical measurements on a western saddle is the gullet width and the bars. General rules of thumb for proper western saddle seat size for the rider: Other factors to take into consideration on a tree is the angle of the bars, the rock of the bars, and flare.

With the saddle on without any pad, you should be able to assess the bars. Make sure the distance between you and the swell fork of the saddle is about 4 inches. The bar angle is the defining element of the tree as to saddle fit with swell gullet width, twist, rock, flare, crown, relief, length, pattern and channel as secondary elements.

How to properly measure a saddle gullet on a completed saddle: The channel serves to prevent pressure from being directly applied to the horse's backbone. Measuring the seat of a western saddle.

Weight we have found the best solution to be setting the saddle on a stool which can stand on a weight scale, then subract the weight of the stool to find the weight of your saddle. The above image demonstrates how the bars flare out to accommodate with width of the horse’s back. The bars are designed to distribute the load vector or rider's weight evenly over the entire length of the bar.

And third, the marking and shaping of the bars makes it all redundant anyway. The bars of the western saddle tree. When it comes to measuring a western saddle seat size, simply measure from the base of the horn to the edge of the cantle.

A wider spread will drop further down on the horse’s back. If the saddle is bridging, the result is all the load vector is transferred to four points at the ends of the bars. An english saddle is measured from the middle of the cantle.

Keep in mind that western saddle seat size refers to rider fit and has nothing to do with how the saddle fits the horse. First, sit in the middle of the pocket with your stirrups adjusted correctly. When sizing a western saddle, you should be able to stand up in the stirrups and have 2 inches (5.08 cm) to 4 inches (10.16 cm) between your bottom and the seat of the saddle.

Measure the gullet by stretching a measuring tape from concho to concho across the front of the saddle, not over the top. Remember, a good way to figure your western saddle seat size is to take your english saddle seat size and subtract 2″. Here’s how to measure a western saddle seat to make sure it fits you.

The gullet measurement is only 10% of the information you need to determine if a saddle might fit. A western saddle is measured from the center points in the midst of the saddle. The bar angle is designed to correspond to the slope of the “saddle pocket” on a horse located below the withers and back of.

We have two saddle fit videos available on our westernsaddlefit.com website. The bars, as they run along the back of the horse are separated at the top by a channel. Bar angle and gullet widths.

Peek between the skirts in the front and find the connection between the top of the saddle bars where they connect to the pommel. When a saddle bridges only the ends of the tree bars have contact with the horse's back. Once a saddle is finished, there is really no way to determine the gullet width.

Whether the saddle has a rounded or square skirt, long or short, the skirts should contour well along the horse's back. When all else fails, the best and easiest way to determine western saddle tree sizes is to contact the manufacturer of the saddle and asking them. Levelness of saddle step back and look at the saddle on the horse’s back to make sure it is level.

The bars of the tree should lay completely flat on the back without any rocking, says oliver. This saddle has a 16 inch seat. How to measure an english saddle?

This is the most common factor because we can measure it more easily. He wants the saddle skirt to fit close to the horse's back. (we left this website up because we have had many requests to.

With the saddle positioned correctly, the bars of the tree behind the shoulder blades of the horse, evaluate the following points: First, there is no place you can physically measure what we mark out. There should be approximately four inches between the front of your body and the fork (or swells) 3.

Standard measurements for gullets described in horseman’s handbook of western saddles are: When measuring, make sure you’re underneath the bars, not in front of the saddle.