Western Saddle Guide

October 9th, 2008 |

Author: Horses // Pets, Livestock, and Wildlife // ArticlePros.com

New montgomerysaddlesandtack.net Provides new saddles and need to know information to new riders. We are a comprehensive online resource for western saddle information. Montgomery Saddles and Tack helps provide new equestrian riders with answers to all of their saddle questions. Complete western saddle selections on saddle fitting, different saddle styles, saddle parts, saddle accessories and saddle care.

Beginner western saddle riders can find information needed to make an educated buying decision:
- All saddle riding styles found
- A list of new saddle brands and their price ranges
- Information on different saddle accessories that can be added to western saddles
- Descriptions and details of the many different parts of the western saddle

There are so many different types of saddle trees, saddle sizes, saddle parts and riding styles on the market today. When you are new to western style riding, buying can become very confusing. montgomerysaddlesandtack.net provides a wide variety of western saddle types such as barrel racing saddles, roping saddles, reining saddles, cutting saddles and show and pleasure saddles.

Any western saddle that does not fit properly can give rise to all sorts of problems. Also a saddle that does not fit you properly will be uncomfortable for the horse and can cause pinching and pressure points. One of the main features of a western saddle that will factor if it will fit your horse or not is the width of the gullet. Every horse is not created equal. Therefore, this creats a wide range of prominent withers such as those of the Thoroughbred to the rounded, mutton withers often seen in Quarter Horses. If you choose a saddle with a gullet that is too wide, the saddle will press down on the withers. If the sadle gullet is too narrow, the saddle will pinch the horse. Other points to consider are the balance of the saddle when it is on the horse. A western saddle that doesn’t sit level on the horse can create uncomfortable pressure for your horse.

Basic guide on how to fit your horse:
1) Make sure your horse is on flat and even ground.

2) Place the western saddle on his back without a saddle pad or blanket. Set the saddle on his/her back starting at the withers (shoulders). Slide the western saddle down his back while allowing the saddle to settle where it wants. The saddle should rest comfortably into your horse’s back.

3) Check the saddle skirt. The saddle skirt should conform to the shape of the horse’s back. The saddle skirt should not stick out or be too long. If the saddle skirt pushes into the hip, it may cause discomfort or impede his movement.

4) Check for balance. Step back several feet to view the saddle from the side of your horse. The billets should follow the contour of your horse’s girth area and the flat area of the seat should be parallel to ground.

5) Check the pommel or fork clearance. You should be able to place 2-4 stacked fingers between the withers and the pommel or fork. This clearance may shrink after the saddle breaks in.

6) Check for gullet clearance. From the same position in step five, look down the gullet of the saddle making sure there is clearance the entire run of the back.

7) Look at the horse’s shoulders. Make sure the shoulders are not pinching anywhere.

After you ride, check under the saddle for the pattern of your horses sweat marks. The area under the saddle should show consistent sweat marks.

Contact:
Matt Bryson
Montgomery Saddles and Tack
910-576-0600
http://www.montgomerysaddlesandtack.net

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