Do All Saddles Fit All Horses?

There is no standardization in the industry for a Regular (or Semi-Quarter horse) tree and Wide (or Full Quarter horse) tree so different saddle brands will not fit the same. The fit may also vary among disciplines.

How do you know if a saddle fits your horse?

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.

Are horse saddles one size fits all?

Horses, like people, come in different shapes and sizes. Some horses have high or narrow withers; others are very wide with hardly any wither at all. Each shape requires a slightly different tree. Saddle trees are made in specific sizes to fit different shapes.

What size saddle fits most horses?

Tree Widths:
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.

Can you use the same saddle on different horses?

Quite a few people have asked us if they can use their custom-fit saddle on multiple horses. The answer is a definite ‘maybe’. Whether your saddle is custom fit to a specific horse or a generic, off the shelf tack shop saddle, results will vary based on a how different the two horses really are.

How do I know what saddle seat size I need?

Seat size simply measures the distance from the base of the horn to the top middle of the cantle. This distance is then expressed as a size in half-inch increments from 12 inches to 17 inches.

How do I know what size saddle I need?

It’s easy to measure a western saddle’s seat size. Use a retractable tape measure. Start the tape measure behind the swell and stretch it across the seat to the front of the cantle. That measurement is the seat size.

How do you pick the right size saddle?

Measuring sit bone width
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.

How do I know what size stock saddle I need?

Using a tape measure, measure around the very top of your thigh while sitting down. Then compare this to the chart below. This will give you a saddle size. The seat size is approx 3″ smaller than the saddle size.

Does saddle seat size affect horse?

A too-large gullet will sit incorrectly, and the saddle will shift from side to side, which is also uncomfortable for your horse. It is essential to have a correctly sized gullet so that your saddle fits properly and your horse is comfortable.

What does the 17.5 inch saddle mean?

A leg/seat measurement of 21.5-23 inches equals a 17.5-inch saddle. •A leg/seat measurement larger than 23 inches will fit an 18-inch or 19-inch saddle.

What happens if a saddle is too small for a rider?

A saddle that is too short is causes equally big problems, and can result “in the rider being pushed too far back, or their knees being pushed out and over the top of the knee blocks. This creates tension in the rider’s hip joints, causes discomfort and makes their lower leg much less secure.”

What is the difference between a stock saddle and a Western saddle?

The western saddle is a bit heavier than the stock. The Stock saddle does not have a horn either, which is on every Western saddle. No horn means the riders weight is distributed more evenly over the horses back. The English saddle is made specifically for performance.