Back to Basics
By Ed Wilbur
Measure For a Good Saddle Fit
No matter what type saddle you will be using , it is imperative that the saddle fits you and your horse . A poorly fitting saddle will result in saddle sores for your horse ( and perhaps you ) and a general dislike for riding or being ridden .
You want to buy your saddle in light of what it will be used for - its intended purpose . If you are going to rope , buy a roping saddle which is designed just for that purpose . Buy a saddle that is designed for what you will be doing . Next , buy a saddle to fit your horse . And last of all ; buy a saddle that fits you .
What type saddle you buy , whether it is for roping , or barrel racing or trail riding or dressage , your saddle needs to fit first your horse , and then you . So first you must determine what tree size would fit your horse best . ( The tree is the skeleton over which your saddle will be constructed .)
We recommend that you use a 42cm ( about 16 ½ ”) long flexible piece of wire , such as solder , electrical wire , or perhaps a coat hanger to measure your horses ’ withers . Bend the wire in the middle and place it two fingers behind your horse ’ s shoulder blade , which is also where you should be placing your saddle . ( If you walk your horse for a few steps to see the rotation , or feel for the heavy bone below the withers , you can easily locate the shoulder blade .)
Bend your wire over the withers , right at the edge of the shoulder blade . Once you have measured the “ V ” shape over the withers , pressing the wire firmly into shape ( so it doesn ’ t spring open when you take it off your horse ’ s back ) then carefully lay the wire down , and measure the distance between the two ends of the wire . This is the width you need to get the proper size saddle for your horse .
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Article Source : http :// EzineArticles . com / expert / Ed _ Wilbur / 349533