- Your saddle fits just right if it sits level on your horse’s back and the bars of the tree do not pinch.
- The front of your saddle should be positioned behind your horse’s shoulder blade, allowing him freedom of movement.
- Your saddle is too narrow if the front of the saddle sits high.
Thus, Do you buy a saddle to fit the horse or the rider? As well as fitting the horse, it’s important that the saddle fit the rider. A saddle that is too small will cause discomfort as you bump against the pommel at every stride (believe me, I’ve been there) A saddle that is too large will have you swimming around trying to maintain your position.
Additionally What happens if a saddle is too wide? If the points are too wide, the saddle will sit low in front, putting pressure on top of the withers or the back. If your horse has hollow spots behind his withers, the points should not press down into them.
How tight should a saddle be on a horse? The front cinch should be about as tight as your belt; if it’s comfortable for you, then it should be comfortable for the horse. Do not over tighten the cinch to compensate for a saddle that rolls. Check that the saddle is the correct fit for the horse.
Can a saddle be too heavy for a horse? Horses may be strong, but sometimes riders can be too heavy for a horse to carry comfortably. While most healthy horses can easily carry a rider and saddle, they do have their limits.
How do you properly fit a saddle?
What size saddle would fit a 15hh horse?
| Size | Horse Size | Saddle Size |
|---|---|---|
| S/M | 13hh-15hh | Up to 17” |
| Large | 15hh-17hh | 17” & over |
Nov 8, 2021
How do you fit a saddle to a rider?
For the rider, the saddle should allow approximately 4” between the swell of the saddle and the front of your body, and your seat should fit to the base of the cantle but not push against the back.
What is the average saddle size?
The following will give you a very general idea of saddle sizes: Youth: 12 to 13 inches. Small adult: 14 inches. Average adult: 15 inches.
Should a saddle fit the rider or horse?
Important is always that the saddle fit the rider first – because if it doesn’t then no matter how well the saddle fits the horse, the rider’s discomfort due to poor rider saddle fit will always translate down to the horse. This limits both the horse and rider in attaining optimum performance.
How do I know if my saddle is too big for riders?
Some of the most common signs of a saddle that doesn’t fit well include:
- a swinging or unstable lower leg.
- a seat that isn’t in equilibrium, where the rider is either tipping forward or adopting a chair seat.
- knee blocks which don’t mirror the angles of the rider’s leg.
How should a saddle fit?
The saddle should have 2-3 fingers clearance on the top and around the side of the withers. The saddle must have be an opening (clearance) on the sides of his withers to accommodate the shoulder rotation upwards and backwards during movement. A horse whose saddle pinches his withers may be reluctant to go forward.
How far back should a saddle sit?
The saddle needs to be in the right position on the horse’s back in order to judge its fit, and to allow the horse correct movement. The saddle needs to sit 2-3 fingers behind the shoulderblade and its muscles (see picture below).
