Step by Step Saddle Fit
Many people have asked me how to physically tack up their horses and what to check to make sure they have a near perfect fit. Here are four points to watch as you are saddling your horse to make sure everything is as it should be for horse and for the rider.1. Positioning is everything. You must have the horse standing on level ground to begin with. Place the saddle on its back up at the withers and then slide it back in to place. This step very important, as some problems are not because of a bad fit, but an improper tacking technique.
Saddles are designed to match a horse's anatomy only when standing in the proper position. If the saddle is placed in front of or behind this position, physical problems begin. The cinch should fall about four inches behind the elbow of the horse. Too far forward placement can cause constriction of movement for the horse and the rider will not be balanced. Likewise, if it's placed to far back on the loins of the horse, the rider is out of position and impairing of movement will occurr. These problems are misinterpreted as a saddle fit issue.
2. You should be able to place 2 or more fingers stacked between the withers and the qullet. No more than 4 fingers with no saddle pad.
3. Shoulder clearance is important. There should be ample room to slip your hand between the fleece lining and the horses shoulder, pad included. Ideally, you should be able to do this with a rider in the saddle.
4. Last, check the skirt fit. The skirt should follow the shape of the horse's back and not extend past its loins. A horse with a short back maybe have the skirt digging in to his loins.
Look at the overall fit from the side. Check the balance. The flat area of the seat should be level and the fork should not be higher than the cantle. When the saddle is cinched, the back shouldn't rock up.
posted by Posh Pampered Pets @ 7:19 AM
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