Walden Farm and Ranch

Saddles For The Hard to Fit Horse

In This Article

Saddle fit is crucial for both the horse and rider's comfort and performance. It starts with the saddle's tree, which provides stability and support to distribute the rider's weight evenly over the horse's back.

But how do you choose the right saddle for a horse with a hard-to-fit body type? In this article, we'll discuss three equine body types that are notoriously difficult to fit and the saddle solutions that work best for them.

Choosing the right saddle for your horse is essential for both your horse's comfort and your own safety. But, some equine body types can be especially challenging to fit properly. In this article, we'll discuss 3 types of horses that are notoriously difficult to fit and provide tips for selecting the right saddle for each body type.

Fitting A Horse That Is Hard To Saddle

There are 4 types of horses that are usually harder to saddle than others:

Low-withered, Short-backed Horse

Low-withered, Broad-backed Horse

Fjords, Haflingers, and most Mountain and Moorland breeds are examples of horses with huggable but hard-to-fit conformation.

These burly types of horses require hoop-shaped trees, which are shaped like an upside-down U instead of the traditional V-shape, to fit well.

Some broad-backed horses, such as Baroque horses or gaited breeds, may also have this conformation.

A broad-backed horse will probably take a wide saddle, but be aware that those with very wide twists can be uncomfortable for the rider. Look for saddle designs that fit both the horse and rider, such as saddles with a sloping pommel shape like the Fidelio dressage model. Other ideas include suspending the tree slightly over the horse, but this can mean a loss of contact.

In a Western saddle, look for a wide bar spread throughout, a substantial bar width, and a flatter bar angle. If you're unsure what tree is in the saddle, ask the retailer or manufacturer. Most saddle makers are happy to talk about saddle fit with you.

High-Withered Horse

High-Withered Horses

A horse with high withers has a prominent bony ridge at the base of its neck, which can make saddle fitting a challenge. The saddle may bridge, causing pressure points on the horse's back, or it may be too tight around the withers, causing discomfort and restricted movement.

Saddle solutions for high-withered horses include saddles with a cutback or "pommel" design that allows clearance for the withers. Another option is to use a saddle pad with shims to raise the saddle's front, allowing for better wither clearance. In English saddles, look for saddles with a deeper gullet to provide more clearance. For Western saddles, look for saddles with a higher swell and cantle.

Horses with high withers can be challenging to fit because traditional saddles may not provide enough clearance for their withers.

To find the right saddle for a high-withered horse, look for saddles with:

Short-Backed Horse

Short-Backed Horses

Short-backed horses can be harder to saddle than other types of horses because there is less space for the saddle to sit on their back. This means that a saddle that is too long for a short-backed horse will not distribute weight evenly and can cause discomfort or even pain for the horse. 

In addition, short-backed horses tend to have more forward-placed withers, which can make finding a saddle that fits properly even more challenging. A saddle that fits well on a short-backed horse should have a shorter panel length, a higher gullet clearance, and a well-positioned billet system. A certified saddle fitter can help determine the best saddle fit for a short-backed horse.

Short-backed horses can be difficult to fit because traditional saddles may be too long and put pressure on the horse's loin area. To find the right saddle for a short-backed horse, look for saddles with:

Wide-Shouldered Horses

Wide-Shouldered Horses

Wide-shouldered horses can be harder to saddle because their shoulders tend to interfere with the movement of the saddle. If the saddle doesn't fit properly, it can rub or pinch against the horse's shoulders, causing discomfort or even injury. Additionally, a saddle that is too narrow for a wide-shouldered horse can create pressure points and restrict the horse's movement, making it difficult for the horse to perform to the best of its ability. 

Finding a saddle that fits a wide-shouldered horse properly requires careful consideration of the saddle's tree shape, width, and angle, as well as the horse's conformation and movement. It's important to work with a knowledgeable saddle fitter to ensure that the saddle fits properly and is comfortable for both the horse and rider.

Wide-shouldered horses can be challenging to fit because traditional saddles may not provide enough space for their shoulders to move freely. To find the right saddle for a wide-shouldered horse, look for saddles with:

Saddle Tree

Saddletree Shape and Saddle Fit

When it comes to saddle fit, the key to success is finding a saddle with a tree that fits the contours of your horse's back. The tree is the foundation of the saddle, and everything else falls into place when it's properly fitted.

Despite the fact that the basic design of the saddletree has remained largely unchanged for almost 2,000 years, there are countless variations in bar spread, flare, width, rock, and length that allow saddletrees to fit the contours of any equine back.

Here are some key terms to help you understand saddletree shape and its relationship to saddle fit:

Bars

The two strips that run parallel to your horse’s spine and are connected in front by the fork or pommel and in the back by the cantle.

Bar Spread

The distance between the bars, which determines the width of the saddletree’s channel or gullet.

Bar Angle

Comparable to the pitch on your barn’s roof, some angles are narrow and steep, while others are flat. Ideally, the bar angle when viewed from the front of the horse will match the slope of the area just behind the horse’s shoulder known as the “saddle pocket.”

Bar Twist

Refers to the change in bar angle from front to back as it follows the contours from just behind your horse’s shoulder toward his croup. If the bar angle and the twist are a perfect match for the horse’s back, chances are everything else will fit as well.

Bar Flare

Refers to the tips of the bars, which can curve up and away from the horse's shoulders. Some trees may also have flare in the back to accommodate a croup-high horse.

Bar rock or sweep

Refers to the curve of the bars from front to back. A horse with a flat topline will need a tree with very little rock, while a swaybacked horse or one with a dip will require a tree with significant rock.

Importance of a Saddle Tree

Remember, the tree is like the skeleton of your saddle, providing stability and support to both the saddle and rider. It must distribute the rider’s weight evenly over the horse’s back, while keeping pressure off his spine.

A tree that is too narrow can create pressure points by bridging, while one that is too wide can sit too low on the horse's spine.

It's crucial to match the curvature of the tree with the horse's back to ensure proper saddle fit. A flat tree on a swaybacked horse or a curved tree on a flat-backed horse can cause discomfort and affect the horse's performance.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right saddle for a hard-to-fit horse can be a challenge, but it's essential for your horse's comfort and your own safety. By understanding your horse's body type and specific needs, you can choose a saddle that provides the best fit and performance. Be sure to work with a knowledgeable saddle fitter and try several saddles before making a final decision. With the right saddle, you and your horse can enjoy many comfortable and successful rides together.


Richard Sutherland

 RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.org

Richard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.