How Do You Fit A Western Saddle?
• Halter the horse and tie them safely and securely to a hitching post. Stand the horse on level ground and place the saddle, without a saddle pad, on the horse’s back. • Check the clearance at the withers, where the end of the horse’s neck meets its back. With the correct saddle size, you can set 3 fingers on the withers of the horse and be touching the gullet, the opening beneath the saddle horn. • Inspect the skirt, which is the outside frame of the saddle. When fitting a saddle, the frame of the saddle should flow with the horse’s back and not extend beyond its haunches. • Remove the saddle. Place a saddle pad on the horse’s back, and then put the saddle back on and cinch it to the horse. Sizing a western saddle may take some time, but you want to make sure it fits the horse properly. • Examine the horse’s shoulder clearance. When fitting a saddle, you should be able to slide your hand between the fleece lining on the saddle and the equine’s shoulder. Study the balance of the saddl
