|
|
How to Fit a Western Saddle |
 Western Saddles: Seven Signs of a Poor Fit
by Beth Stefanie
With a suitable quality saddle and a variety of saddle pads, you should be able to ride many horses of the same physical type with a single saddle. Such a saddle should comfortably
clear a horse’s withers, allow for free movement of the shoulders, be the proper length and shape for its back, and be well balanced to provide good weight distribution. That's proper saddle fit.
If you ride horses of different breeds or significantly different sizes, then you'll need to invest in multiple saddles. Click here for tips on purchasing western saddles.
Wondering whether your saddle fits your horse? Below are seven potential signs of a poorly fitting saddle. If you're seeing any of these signs with your horse, you should take another
look at how your saddle fits.
|
|
Signs of a Bad Fit on a Western Saddle
1. White hairs. White hairs showing up in the saddle area can
be a sign of poor fit. Over time pressure points can cause the
hairs to loose pigment.
2. Dry spots. When you take off your saddle and pad after a
long ride, what you want to see is an even wet pattern across
the horse's back. Dry spots can be a sign of pressure points.
3. Sores or galls. In the saddle area, sores and galls can be a
sign of several problems: a poorly fitting saddle, a poorly
adjusted saddle, or poor quality cinches.
4. Rolling or rocking from side to side. A saddle that rolls to
the side or rocks from side to side can be either a sign of poor
fit or a sign of a rider who isn't balanced in the saddle.
5. Tipping up in back. Tipping is generally a pretty straight
forward sign of a poorly fitting saddle and is usually cause by
saddle tree bars with the wrong rocker and twist (angles) to fit
the back of the horse.
6. Hindered movement by the horse. Restricted horse movement is
a more difficult sign to detect and usually takes a more
advanced rider to notice the difference in the way a horse
moves under different saddles. A saddle that restricts a
horse's shoulders will often impact how freely it moves out.
7. General crankiness under saddle. Many saddle problems are
commonly misdiagnosed as behavior or attitude problems. Put
yourself in your horse's place. How happy are you when you're
wearing shoes that are one size too small?
Saddle fit isn't an exact science. It takes some savvy to
determine whether or not you have a good fit. These 7 Signs of
a Poor Fit are a good first step in building your saddle fit
savvy.
About The Author: Beth Stefani is the publisher of
http://www.western-saddle-guide.com , a comprehensive online
resource for understanding, choosing, and caring for the
western saddle and accessories that are right for you.
| |
|
New Articles:
Thrush
Equine Influenza
Head Injuries
Bond with Horses and Ponies
Colic
How to Lead Horses and Ponies
Ground Manners
How to Halter Horses and Ponies
Barrel Racing Horses
Mustangs and Burros
Body Language of Horses
Round-Pen Training
Adopt a Standardbred
Paints and Pintos
Save This Page to del.iou.us
|
