What Size Western Saddle Fits A Pony?
You might feel that a 16″ Circle Y brand saddle fits you well, but a 15″ seat in a Reinsman brand saddle is more comfortable. Most standard (western) adult saddle seats range 15″ – 18.” Pony or youth seats range 10″ – 14.” Some small petite women choose a 14″ or 14 1/2″ seat.
What size Western saddle does my horse need?
Western Saddles: Wither Test
Slide the saddle into place, and then slip your fingers between the gullet and the horse’s withers. A good fit — Two to three fingers’ width is just about right. Too narrow — If you can fit your whole hand in between the withers and saddle gullet, the tree is too narrow.
Will a horse saddle fit a pony?
Most ponies’ backs aren’t long enough to accommodate even a smaller sized adult Western saddle, but pony saddles are cut to better fit a pony’s back. A traditional saddle’s skirt (and sometimes the cantle) would extend to or past a pony’s hip, inhibiting his motion.
What is the best saddle for pony?
Our top 5 Pony saddles!
- The Monarch Pony Jump Saddle. Similar to the saddle listed above, this saddle has a variety of benefits.
- Whitaker Barnsley Pony Saddle. The Whitaker Barnsley pony saddle has a quality calfskin seat for comfort.
- The Monarch Trophy Pony Show Saddle.
- The Kent and Masters Pony Saddle.
How do you tell if a Western saddle fits a horse?
“A good-fitting saddle will rest right in the ‘pocket’ on the horse’s back and will never rock up and down from front to back,” notes Oliver. If the saddle passes these checks, go ahead and put your pad on the horse and cinch up the saddle. For your horse’s comfort, always pull your pad up into the gullet.
Can a saddle be too big for a horse?
A horse ridden in a saddle that is too long will often tighten his lower back muscles; in some cases, you can actually see the horse hollow and drop his back in an attempt to get away from the pressure of the saddle. He may even buck in extreme cases, in an effort to get the weight off his lumbar area.
How do you figure out what size saddle you need?
It’s easy to find the saddle size that suits you. Sit somewhere so your thigh is at a right angle to your lower leg and measure from the back of your buttock to the point of your knee.
Measuring the rider.
| Upper leg length | Recommended seat size |
|---|---|
| Up to 18½”(46cm) | 16″ |
| Up to 20″(50cm) | 16½” |
| Up to 21½”(54cm) | 17″ |
| Up to 23″(58cm) | 17½” |
How do you pick the right size saddle?
Sit with your feet tilted up long enough to leave a good impression. Stand and find the two deepest indentions your sit bones left behind and mark them both with a point. Measure from one point to the other with your measuring tape in millimeters. Add 20-25mm to determine your saddle size.
What is the standard size of pony?
58 inches
For many forms of competition, the official definition of a pony is a horse that measures less than 14.2 hands (58 inches, 147 cm) at the withers. Standard horses are 14.2 or taller.
Is it better for a saddle to be too big or too small?
In general, it’s better to have a saddle a smidgen too big than a smidgen too small. (A smaller saddle may cause uncomfortable chafing.)
What size horse does a 17.5 saddle fit?
A good rule of thumb is that an English saddle seat size will run around two inches larger than a Western saddle. So, if you ride a 15.5” Western saddle, you will likely need a 17.5” English saddle.
Where should a saddle sit on a pony?
The saddle should be placed on the back, over the wither, and then slid backwards into its natural resting place. Check that the saddle is balanced and level and not tipping backwards or forwards. There should be a broad-bearing surface, with the weight distributed evenly along the horse’s back.
What size bit does a large pony need?
The average bit size for a horse size is between 5 and 6 inches, but will vary by breed, build, and genetic makeup. Horses and ponies with more refined noses such as Arabs and Welsh Cobs often need bits less than 5 inches.
What gullet size fits most horses?
Semi-Quarter horse bars usually have a 6 1/4″ gullet, and Quarter Horse Bars usually have a 6 1/2″ to 6 3/4″ gullet. Designed to fit the average horse, one of these two widths will fit approximately 80% of horses comfortably. Full-Quarter horse bars usually have a 7″ gullet.
How do you tell if your saddle doesn’t fit your horse?
15 signs your saddle doesn’t fit – negative behaviour in your…
- Avoidance behaviours – trying to walk away when being tacked up.
- Ears back/head shaking when saddle comes close by.
- Excessive tail swishing both in the stable and when ridden.
- Pawing the ground.
- Threatening to bite you when you come close with the saddle.
What saddles are good for cobs?
Black Country Saddles GPD
The straighter-cut flap and panel give maximum freedom of movement behind the shoulder, making it particularly suitable for native breeds, cobs and wide horses.
How much do pony saddles cost?
New saddles can be found for less than $500, but they are often poor quality, especially the leather and fittings. Custom-made saddles are more expensive and can sell for thousands of dollars, depending on the design and details of the saddle.
What happens if your saddle is too big for you?
A saddle that is too big will cause the rider to move around too much in the saddle, making you insecure and ineffective, as well as encouraging a chair seat as your seat bones slide back towards the centre of the saddle and your knees forward to the blocks, Poppy cautions.
What happens if a saddle is too wide?
Over time, a wide-fitting saddle will create atrophy in the trapezius muscles (or wither) and create shoulder holes, which then cause the saddle to fall forward and down, further hampering shoulder movement and forward momentum. It’s a vicious cycle.
What happens if a saddle is to big for rider?
If the saddle is too big for the rider, the rider will not be secure enough. This may cause too much movement from the rider. Causing the horse to be unbalanced. Similarly, if your saddle is too small for you, this will double the weight on the horses back.
What saddle fits most horses?
Semi-Quarter horse bars usually have a 6 1/4″ gullet, and Quarter Horse Bars usually have a 6 1/2″ to 6 3/4″ gullet. Designed to fit the average horse, one of these two widths will fit approximately 80% of horses comfortably. Full-Quarter horse bars usually have a 7″ gullet.
Contents