What Size Western Gullet Does My Horse Need?

Place your hand into the space between the saddle and your horse’s wither, using your fingers to measure the vertical space. The gap should fit no more than two fingers to two and a half fingers. If three or more fingers fit, the gullet is too narrow. If fewer than two fingers fit, the gullet is too wide.

How do I know what size gullet My horse needs?

Gullet Size
Check where the saddle’s gullet is in comparison to the horse’s withers. You should be able to vertically fit 2-3 fingers between the saddle and the horse’s withers. Any more fingers and the saddle is too narrow; any fewer fingers and the saddle is probably too wide.

What size gullet fits most horses?

The average horse should be between 1.5″ to 2.5″ in width so that means your gullet width on your saddle should be at the very least 2″ in width but preferably greater than 3″.

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.

What is standard gullet size western saddle?

A standard gullet measures 7 inches and is the most common measurement found in saddles described as having “full quarter horse bars”. Any gullet that measures larger than 7 inches is considered to be wide.

How do I know if my gullet is too small?

There should be two to three fingers space between the top of the wither and the gullet of the saddle. If you can fit your whole hand (vertically) between the bottom of the gullet and the wither, the tree is probably too narrow.

What size gullet is 6 inches?

Gullet Size Chart

How do I know if my horse needs full or semi quarter horse bars?

A saddle with full quarter horse bars is designed to fit a horse with a wide, fairly flat back. A saddle with semi-quarter horse bars is designed to fit a horse with a medium-sized back. The primary difference between the two sizes is in the angle at which the bars are positioned and the width of the gullet.

What size girth fits most horses?

As a very general rule, the average 15–16hh horse will use a 46–48in long girth; and around 26in short girth.

What size gullet do I need for a Quarter horse?

7"
Full-Quarter horse bars usually have a 7″ gullet. They are designed for mutton-withered horses with broader backs. Arab saddles, usually with 6 1/2″ to 6 3/4″ gullets, are for Arabians. They have a shorter gullet.

How do I choose saddle width?

When you stand up there should be two depressions left by your sit bones. Measure the distance between the centres of the depressions and add 25 to 30mm to find your ideal saddle width.

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.

What is the most common size western saddle?

15 inches
Western Saddle Seat Sizes
Youth: 12 to 13 inches. Small adult: 14 inches. Average adult: 15 inches. Large adult: 16 inches.

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.

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.

How do you size a western saddle?

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.

Why does my western saddle slide back?

Saddle fit and girth type are likely to be the main causes for your saddle sliding back when riding. It is more likely the saddle is too wide rather than too narrow for it to slide back.

What is the 20% rule horses?

The researchers found that an average adult light riding horse could comfortably carry about 20 percent of their ideal bodyweight. This result agrees with the value recommended by the Certified Horsemanship Association and the U.S. Cavalry Manuals of Horse Management published in 1920.

What does a good horse topline look like?

An ideal topline can be described as well-muscled, displaying a full and rounded athletic appearance, lacking concave or sunken-in areas, providing ability for sustained self-carriage. This region of the horse is a good visual indicator of the whole body amino acid status.

Do horses prefer tall or short grass?

Horses prefer to eat shorter grasses because it they have less fiber and are higher in protein. Mowing helps promote a nutritionally higher quality pasture.

What size horse does a 300 pound man need?

A 1500 lb Quarter horse should be able to easily accommodate a combined rider and saddle weight of 300 lbs.