Where Should A Western Saddle Sit On A Horse?

A western saddle tree is made to sit right behind the shoulder blade, not on top of it. Having it sit correctly will allow the shoulder movement your horse needs. First, take your hand and feel the back of your horse’s shoulder blade/scapula. You can feel the edge and where it actually ends.

How should a western saddle sit on 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.

How far up should a western saddle be?

If you can fit three fingers (about four inches) between your thigh and the saddle’s swell, and you can hold your hand vertically between the cantle and your seat, your saddle fits you perfectly.

How long should a western saddle be on a horse?

It can be confusing because there are so many different types of saddles on the market. In general, the bars of a saddle should not reach the last rib of your horse, and its skirts shouldn’t hit its haunches. The western saddle seat average is 16 inches, and its skirts should be about 26 inches long.

How far forward should a saddle sit on a horse?

The saddle must sit behind the shoulder. A saddle that is too long often will get driven forward into the shoulder. The saddle cannot extend past the last floating rib at the 18th thoracic vertebra.

Where should your saddle sit?

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.

How do you sit in a western saddle while trotting?

In order to “sit the trot,” it is important to both relax and sit deeply in the saddle, rotating the hips forward so as to sit on the inside of the thighs. Keep your heels and legs down so you make close contact from the crotch to the horse. The shoulders should remain over your hips and not leaning forward.

How do you tell if saddle is too far forward?

If your saddle is set too far forward then you may be using your upper body too much causing tension in the shoulders and arms as well as having sore hands. You will be able to have a quicker cadence but you will tend to sit back on the saddle up climbs.

How do you tell if a western saddle fits you?

Two fingers should fit between the swells of the saddle and your leg. If you can fit your whole hand, the saddle is too big and you could flop around instead of being secure. If you can’t even squeeze a finger, the saddle is too tight, and will be very uncomfortable.

Are you supposed to post in a western saddle?

Though most Western riders prefer to sit the trot, it’s still a good idea to learn how to post. In most Western disciplines, the rider will sit to their horse’s trot. There are a few occasions where posting will be encouraged and almost necessary.

Is my saddle too far back horse?

A saddle positioned too far back tends to sit on the “floating ribs”. This is the “bucking reflex point” – pressure on these unsupported ribs causes considerable discomfort, which can lead to bucking as the horse tries to alleviate the pressure.

What is the most comfortable saddle for a horse?

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• Acerugs All-Natural Cowhide Saddle.
• EquiRoyal Comfort Trail Saddle.
• King Series Classic Distance Rider.
• Hilason Flextree Trail Saddle.
• Acerugs Cordura Synthetic Saddle.
• Royal King Roughout Training Saddle.
• Wintec Pro HART Endurance Saddle.

How much does a good quality Western saddle cost?

Western: $200-$3,000+ The cost of a saddle varies quite a lot, depending on the maker, quality/ materials, if it’s used, if it is custom made, and what features it has. If you’re on a tight budget, you can probably go on social media or other online marketplaces and find a used saddle for pretty cheap.

What is the 20 rule in horse riding?

The 20% weight rule (ride and saddle) is a good starting point for considering how much weight a horse can safely carry. Generally, ponies will be able to carry a bit more than 20%. While tall horses will only be comfortable carrying a bit less.

What happens if saddle is too far back?

A saddle that is excessively too far back alters your hip angle which subsequently places more stress on your hamstrings and butt muscles during the pedal stroke.

Should a saddle lift at the back?

A saddle that looses contact in the middle of its panel could be too narrow causing the saddle to bridge and creating 4 point pressure. A saddle lifting off significantly at the back could be too wide and increase tightness around the horse’s shoulder and may lift and catch the rider behind.

Should you lean forward when riding a horse?

It’s very important not to be leaning forward when you’re going down, and not to be leaning back when you’re going up. That will unbalance you and your horse, which makes his job twice as difficult.

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.)

Should the saddle be higher than the handlebars?

As a general rule of thumb, you want the top of the handlebar about as high (or higher than) the saddle, unless you’re a sporty rider looking to ride fast. Try touching your elbow to the nose of the saddle and reaching forward towards the handlebar with your hand.

How do I find the perfect saddle height?

Calculating your ideal saddle height based on your inseam is easy. On average, the seat height should be 109% of your inseam. You can thus use your calculator to multiply your inseam in millimetres by 1,09. Multiply by 1,09 and you know your correct saddle height.

Do you sit the trot western?

If you’re a western rider, you probably sit when your horse trots (unless your horse is long-trotting, when you may stand in your stirrups for comfort).