4 Ways To Fit Western Horse Saddles Properly & How To Know If It’s a Bad Fit

Horse saddles are the second most important piece of equipment you can buy; the first is your horse. A Western saddle that doesn’t fit the horse properly will be uncomfortable for both you and your horse and decrease performance. There are a few ways to know if a saddle doesn’t fit properly, too.  

Get the 4 basic principles to follow for a great fitting Western saddle before you buy and what to look for when a saddle doesn’t fit right.

4 Basics To Properly Fit Western Saddles

"Sit tall in the saddle; hold your head up high. Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky, and live like you ain't afraid to die. And don't be scared, just enjoy your ride." - Christ Ledoux

There are a few basic principles to follow to make sure a western saddles fit you and your horse well. Every horse is different, but these are some basic ways to get a good fit. 

Always try a new saddle on your horse without pads to get a good look at how it fits. 

Position

The position of the saddle will determine how balanced the rider is and prevent any discomfort for the horse. 

1. Find the high point of the withers by feeling for the shoulder blades, and put the saddle about 2 inches behind it

2. Rock the saddle from side to side noticing movement. A little movement is normal, but a lot of movement indicates a bad fit. 

3. Check that the saddle sits level

4. Slide your hand under each concho (the rings where the saddle strings pass through the skirt) and make sure there is a good connection on both sides. 

Tips

• The saddle should clear the withers without sitting directly on it

• If you have to use a breast collar make sure it doesn't pull against the saddle

• If the saddle fits your horse properly, it will stay in a good position even when he moves

Pressure

The goal of fitting western saddles is to keep pressure evenly distributed. It’s not only more comfortable for your horse, it will prevent putting too much pressure on the loin. 

The rigging and the rider’s position play a role in how pressure is distributed through the saddle tree. 

Rigging

The rigging needs to pull evenly over the whole tree. If the main pull is at the front of the tree, then you have to use a back cinch. And for that to work well, the cinch needs to be snug. When the horse moves, the cinch will loosen so make sure it's snug.

Rider Position

The rider needs to be sitting in the center and balanced in the saddle. Avoid slouching into the saddle with feet forward because this will put extra pressure on the back of the loin. 

The seat plays a huge role in the rider’s position. The low point in the seat must be ahead of the points of the cantle. And there needs to be enough room for the rider in the pocket of the seat.

If the seat is bad, the low point is at the base of the cantle and has a rise that forces the rider to sit back on the pockets. The stirrups need to be hung in a position that will allow the rider to sit properly in the seat.

Poking

Avoid any areas with high pressure that will poke your horse. Look for screws, nails, lumps, bumps, and grooves that might be uncomfortable for your horse. The clearance of the saddle is the opening on the sides of the withers that allows for shoulder rotation. 

Clearance

Check for clearance under the gullet but also along the sides and cantle. A saddle should never touch the top of the spine anywhere on your horse's back. Check under the skirts and lacing, especially for more A-shaped horses. Feel under the skirts all the way around your horse to find any high pressure points. Check under the front bar tip and make sure it has even pressure.

If the angles don't match the horse, there will be higher pressure in one area. The angles need to match all along the bar with even contact.

The goal is to have full, even contact along the bars and all the way to the back of the horse.

Padding

Padding is essential for western saddles. It covers the withers and prevents friction from causing soreness and areas of discomfort. 

The pad should extend 1-2 inches around the end of the saddle and 1/2-1 inch thick. It needs to be pad-forward so it covers the withers and also long enough to extend over the loin. Center the pad front and back by pulling it up into the saddle gullet. This gives your horse airflow.  

Make sure to use clean, good quality padding. Memory foam or sport foam are popular choices for pads. A woven top looks nice and is easy to clean. 

How To Know If a Saddle Doesn’t Fit

Even if you follow all the rules and think you’re getting a properly fitting saddle, you might run into problems. These are some ways to know if the saddle doesn’t fit properly. 

Dry Spots or White Spots

If a saddle doesn’t fit on your horse properly, he might develop dry spots or white hairs inside the dry spots. 

Muscle Atrophy

If dry or white spots aren’t treated they can deteriorate into muscle atrophy over time. This is a much bigger problem than can affect the overall health, strength, and performance of your horse. 

Bucking or Signs of Discomfort

If your horse starts bucking while wearing the saddle this might be a clue that he is experiencing discomfort. 

Weak Back 

If a saddle is pinching or pushing down too much on your horse, especially a young horse, you may notice his back has a lot of rock to it.  

Poor Riding

If you just can’t get the horse to follow cues, are constantly being pushed around in the seat, or get thrown off your horse often, it might be a sign that the saddle is a bad fit. 

Final Thoughts

Follow these 4 basic ways to properly fit a horse saddle and you and your horse will enjoy riding much more. Check for signs the saddles don't fit properly and always consult your veterinarian if you think your horse has a health issue. 

Check out our article on how to buy the right saddle type.