How Should A Saddle Fit?

Saddles are complex pieces of gear, and as much as we might like to, it’s very difficult to make a one-size-fits-all saddle.

Equally, knowing that your saddle fits properly is totally essential to your horse’s health and wellbeing.

I was taking my kids out riding for their first time recently, and one of the first things they asked was how do you know if the saddle fits properly?

The saddle is both for your own comfort but it’s also about distributing your weight for the horse, so it’s essential to make sure it isn’t digging in anywhere or hurting your horse.

So, I decided to compile some research on the question.

How should a saddle fit?

It will depend on the type of saddle you have, but it should be evenly distributed across your horse’s back, and you should be able to stick two of your fingers between the saddle gullet and your horse’s withers. Pay attention to your horse’s behavior after fitting a new saddle. If it’s uncomfortable, it will tell you.

Horses are so varied in size and body shape that you are likely to have potential issues with any saddle.

There are many signs of poor saddle fit which I will get into, but just know that you’ll have to test any new saddle out before you can be sure it’s fitted properly.

So, let’s look into how a saddle should fit.

How can you tell if a saddle fits properly?

The first thing you ought to consider when trying to fit a saddle to your horse is paying a saddler to fit your horse for a bespoke saddle.

They will be able to measure your horse and make a fresh saddle just for them.

You should still carefully monitor your horse when it first wears it, but this is the best way to get a well-fitting saddle.

The gullet or channel of the saddle is a panel on the underside of the saddle, and allows room for your horse to properly move its spine.

The channel clearance is one of the most important parts of a saddle fit as it allows your horse to move properly.

As I said: two fingers between the saddle gullet and the horse’s withers.

If it’s too narrow, it will restrict your horse’s movement.

Too wide, and it will put direct pressure on its vertebrae.

It should only rest on your horse’s back muscle, not the spine.

Check the stability of the saddle.

It should not rock side to side or front to back.

In many cases, this type of shifting is simply a result of your horse’s asymmetry; your best option in this case is to have your horse fit for a bespoke saddle.

Make sure the saddle is comfortable for you, too, and fits you well.

Knowing whether a saddle fits is about knowing it fits both of you.

If you can, it’s usually best to see a saddle in person before purchasing, especially if you are buying a premade saddle.

How do you tell if a saddle doesn’t fit your horse?

Other than the appearance of the saddle itself, there are many behaviors you’ll be able to notice in your horse when it wears the saddle if the saddle doesn’t fit properly.

Pay close attention to their body language.

If your horse lays its ears back, swishes its tail and tosses its head either when seeing the saddle or while you’re riding, these could be signs of distress.

If, when you walk up to try and girth up or mount the horse and it walks away, this could be a sign too.

In general, the horse simply won’t be able to relax while under the saddle; becoming very sensitive to you touching its back, acting up the longer you ride, or slows down and bucks for no apparent reason.

Any of these behaviors could be related to the saddle.

Long term use of an ill-fitting saddle could equally cause visible problems on your horse’s body.

Saddle sores are caused by friction and pressure, often stemming from saddles that are too tight or too loose and are rubbing the horse.

Horses will have a large sweat patch on their back after a ride, and it should be evenly damp.

If there are dry spots, this indicates too much pressure in one place.

If your horse’s back is swollen after a ride, this may also indicate too much pressure restricting blood flow.

It’s equally important that you fit properly into the saddle too.

The saddle distributes your weight across the horse’s back to avoid concentrating it too much in one spot, and so if your weight isn’t being properly distributed, this could also lead to injury.

Saddling is an art, and there is no substitute for the years of experience that masters saddlers have. Saddles, almost universally, need to be fitted to the needs of the individual horse and the rider.

It’s very easy to injure a horse with an ill-fitting saddle.

Don’t spare any expense on the saddle for your horse and it will serve you and your horse well for years to come.