Relax your legs, and let them hang. It’s best that you take a step back and take a close look at your horse while he is saddled to determine fit. All the time. If your blue jeans were two sizes too small, it’s likely your body would show signs of (major) discomfort, such as pinching and red marks. Be sure that you place a saddle pad on your horse's back and secure all loose straps before attaching the saddle itself. This site requires Javascript. This deserves a section of its own because it doesn’t matter what the tree is shaped like, how the saddle is built, what kind of horse it is put on or how the rider sits and rides – if the saddle is put in the wrong position on the horse, it WON’T match his shape, it WILL put high pressures on him and it WILL, … Elements 1-9 While Riding. Posted by RodandDenise on July 8, 2020. Some saddle pads, such as the SMX Cowboy Deluxe Pad, are uniquely designed and contoured to fit your horse’s back immediately, relieve wither pressure and wick away sweat and moisture. This is Principle # 1 of the three P’s (plus one) that make up the Basic Principles of saddle fit. To a lot of people, this appears to be too far back, but that is only … Riding in a two-point position (raised off your seat, balanced slightly more forward, using your leg strength for balance), even in a Western saddle, establishes proper leg position and leg strength. For safety, closely observe your tack and the quality of your leather pieces. It's not just ancient history, Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Refund Policy | Contact Us. Let’s try to clear them now. — Ensure that the skirt of your saddle is parallel to the ground. Learn more about the saddle that is pictured on the right, crafted by internationally renowned trainer and clinician, Julie Goodnight, and tune into this video below as she shares insights on saddle fitting. The horse’s ears go back, she starts biting at the cross-ties, swishing her tail and shuffling around. Proper position of a Western saddle A rider who position the saddle in the wrong place on a horse's back and holds it there defeats everything the saddle and tree maker does to make the saddle fit the horse correctly. Your use of the Valley Vet Supply website is governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Some horses have a pocket of sorts formed where the back of the shoulder blade rolls down to the rib cage. Place the Western saddle on your horse to prepare your ride. Your saddle is too wide if the front of the saddle is low. Are they oiled and secure, without any sign of dry rot or cracking? All Rights Reserved. Proper Position of a Western Saddle Video. Your saddle fits just right if it sits level on your horse’s back and the bars of the tree do not pinch. It is fine for the leather of the saddle to go beyond this point. When the saddle is sitting directly upon the horse’s withers, pinching can often occur. This “new” location for the stirrup leathers was remarkably consistent by tree makers. Brad Barkemeyer keeps his horse comfortable with proper saddle pad and saddle placement. Lower Body Your legs and feet should hang long in western riding with a slight bend in your knees. With all types of saddles (yes western) and all types of saddle pads. A saddle that fits you as a rider should allow your pelvis to be neutral not tipped forwards or backward. Irons is the proper name for stirrups on an English saddle. Make sure that your horse is secure in cross-ties or being held by a helper throughout the process. A western saddle tree is designed to fit right behind the shoulder blades of the horse in what is often called the “wither pocket” area. Placing the saddle too far forward over the scapula can cause unnecessary rubbing and pressure. Selecting a saddle pad is an important decision that should not be based on look and color patterns alone. There might be some additional queries/confusion left out. For your saddle’s fit and proper positioning on your horse, it is important that your horse’s cinch fit well, too. An improper saddle fit causes your weight to be distributed unevenly, which can result in pressure points, rub marks, soreness, or the development of white saddle spots on your horse. Get exclusive offers, coupons, and limited-time discounts delivered to your inbox. Saddle trees or bars come in various widths and may have special features. Saddle pad and saddle placement guide. Each leg should rest right near the girth. Your saddle is too narrow if the front of the saddle sits high. Putting a saddle pad on the horses back prevents the leather from rubbing the horse. Saddle fitting has become a hot topic lately, and for a very good reason – riders are beginning to realize that if a horse is comfortable, her performance is enhanced, whether she’s carrying you on the trail or into competition. Position the saddle slightly forward of where it will rest. Begin by sitting in the “sweet spot” of your western saddle: not so far back that your jeans pockets are rubbing against the cantle yet not scooted so far forward … Foot position in the stirrup (safety and balance) In the video above, Professional’s Choice representative and professional rodeo cowboy, Brodie Poppino, shares how to properly measure and fit a cinch to your saddle. If not, for the safety of your ride, it is time for repair or replacement. Correct western saddle fit is as important to the equine as correct shoe fit is to the human. Your saddle is too narrow if the front of the saddle sits high. Correct saddle placement will make your horse happier and more comfortable, and may even help resolve some of those unwanted “cranky” behaviors! This also results in pinching but at the top of the saddle’s bars. Using a soft tape measure or piece of twine, run the tape under the horse's girth area and measure between the D rings on the front of the saddle. Because trail, endurance and ranch horses are ridden for extended periods of time, … © 2017 Rod & Denise Nikkel. When tightening your horse’s cinch for an everyday ride, consider how tightly you wear your belt, and offer your horse the same level of comfort. Billet or Latigo Alignment. Position of the Saddle. The classical seat position remains correct today. There are no items in your shopping cart. In a relaxed and correct position, your lower leg hangs down from your knee and wraps around your horse’s barrel, softly caressing your horse’s sides (Photo 2A). Now, imagine how your horse might feel, if he is consistently ridden in an improperly fitted saddle. So the standard for most western saddles positioned the center of the stirrups 10-12 inches in front of the low point of the seat. If the skirt lifts at the front, your saddle is too narrow. In this scenario, the gullet of the saddle may be too low and rest on your horse’s withers causing pain and discomfort. This deserves a section of its own because it doesn’t matter what the tree is shaped like, how the saddle is built, what kind of horse it is put on or how the rider sits and rides – if the saddle is put in the wrong position on the horse, it WON’T match his shape, it WILL put high pressures on him and it WILL, in the long run, damage the horse. Learning the correct posture for your body can greatly improve your time in the saddle. This is Principle # 1 of the three P’s (plus one) that make up the Basic Principles of saddle fit. The western saddle has a channel, "the … If so, happy trails. Place the saddle directly on their back , making sure that it does not … Keep in mind, though: non-nylon cinches could stretch up to a full size, so based on your preference, consider the material before ordering a cinch for your horse. Please reference your browser help section for enabling Javascript. Overtightening a cinch can add pressure and discomfort for your horse before you even step into the stirrups. Here is the explanation of where and why the tree and saddle … Built by Tooq Inc. Rod and Denise Nikkel have compiled their saddle fit blog posts and…, To gain a good foundation for understanding western saddle fit, start…, Western Saddle Fit - Essentials (Streaming), Western Saddle Fit - The Basics (DVD or Streaming), Western Saddle Fit: Well Beyond the Basics, Position - seeing the shoulder blade under saddle, Rethinking saddle fit and shoulder blade movement. Nov 24, 2012 - Proper Western Saddle Placement. Oiling your saddle also aids in a safer ride, as dry, cracked leather can result in breakage, which can potentially lead to a mishap and rider injury. Watch as Chris Cox explains proper pad placement. When choosing a cinch for your horse and saddle, keep in mind there are two different types of cinches: Western cinches and roper cinches. Choose a saddle pad that offers your horse the support he needs. For correct Western cinch sizing, place a blanket and an unrigged saddle on the horse. Position - seeing the shoulder blade under saddle When we look at people riding or pictures of people riding, we find that a very high percentage are now placing the saddle up on the shoulder blades of the horse. The billets or latigo should hang perpendicular to the ground so that the … Saddle Placement The front of the bar of the saddle tree should be behind the shoulder blade to allow for freedom of movement. Ideally we would like the cinch to be about a hands distance behind the horse or mule’s elbow. Proper Riders position in a western saddle Correct Position For Western Riding … Something that saddle fitters know but that’s often the last thing riders think of: it’s their riding position as much as the saddle fit that’s affecting their horse’s back and movement. Your ankle bone should reach the bottom of the iron. Thick or thin. It actually is one of the sections from our Western Saddle Fit - Well Beyond the Basics video that we are still plugging away at getting finalized. Sign #1 – Sores. However, on some animals this just isn’t going to happen. Then we show you evidence of the damage produced by misplaced saddles. An ENGLISH SADDLE’S FRONT EDGE should be located right behind where your fingers curl over the edge. Your horse’s comfort, happiness and your proper positioning as a rider all weighs on your saddle’s fit. What to Consider When Selecting a Saddle Pad. See the top-left photo on page 51 for an example. What is the proper way to sit in a western saddle? Make sure the front is near the end of the withers.Step 2, Place the saddle on your horse's back. Be careful to avoid letting your legs slip forward into a chair position. Continue reading for additional guidance to help ensure you and your horse enjoys the most comfortable and secure ride possible. We show you pressure mat data that demonstrates the change in pressures when the same saddle is put on the same horse with the same rider but in different positions. If the skirt lifts at the back, the saddle is too wide for your horse. Great photos with skeleton overlays for understanding. Position - why it is so important Please read them carefully before browsing or using the site. Rethinking saddle fit and shoulder blade movement Pad Placement By 5 Star Equine September 1, 2020 Place your saddle pad in the right spot on your horse’s back and you’ll get the most out of your pad, your saddle and your horse! Eastern, Western & Venezuelan Combinations. Just because you put your saddle on the horse, shake it side to side and it doesn’t move back does NOT mean you have it in the correct place. Properly position, the saddle will not need to be "tightly" girthed. Now in position, the rider should check the pad or saddle blanket and lift it up into the gullet so that at least two fingers slide easily between the withers and the saddle. Western saddle rigging tends to pull straight down, putting more pressure in the front of the saddle, but the rigging on endurance saddles should pull more from the center of the seat. It stays in position naturally and only needs a "snug" girth to remain there. The proper saddle position for a western saddle tree is designed to fit right behind the shoulder blades of the horse. Make sure the distance between your horse's elbow and the front cinch is about the width of 3 fingers to ensure a proper placement. This is also the first thing you should avoid. A horse is standing quietly in cross-ties, when the rider appears with a saddle. The first thing to hit your mind once you mount a western saddle is that your hips feel good against the cantle. The template that fits best, is the one that touches in all areas. This also results in pinching but at the top of the saddle’s bars. Monitor your horse’s attitude and behavior while riding, which can clue you in on a painful saddle fit, but keep in mind: some horses are more stoic than others. This is why I stress CONTOURED SADDLE PADS - give those withers some extra room! — Proper western saddle placement entails the bars of the tree sitting right behind the horse’s shoulder blade. Your saddle is too wide if the front of the saddle is low. The front of your saddle should be positioned behind your horse’s shoulder blade, allowing him freedom of movement. Position - seeing the shoulder blade Your leg should be in line from the hip to the ankle with the stirrup leather hanging perpendicular to the ground. This means that most of what the saddle and tree makers do to ensure proper fit for the horse is thrown out the window when the rider places and holds the saddle in the wrong position. Place your saddle and shimmed pad on top of your horse keeping in mind that a WESTERN SADDLE’S FRONT CONCHO should be located right on top of/in line with the area where you curled your fingertips over the scapula’s back edge. In this position, you should feel that the stirrups increase your stability. Now, unless they’re the last pair to your name, you’re likely not wearing those jeans again, let alone tomorrow, the next day, or for days to come. Cleaning and oiling your tack regularly helps to prevent cracking and protect the leather. The articles in this section show you where the saddle should fit, how to find the correct place, and why it is the correct place. Most horsemen and horsewomen would agree with this statement. Note that you can’t see much daylight between Goodnight’s leg and the horse’s side. The directions on evaluating saddle fit will explain the basics on how to tell if the tree size is correct for your horse. The front of your saddle should be positioned behind your horse’s shoulder blade, allowing him freedom of movement. You're saddling your horse wrong We used to believe that the saddle would move back into position if it wasn’t held there with a breast collar, but now we know that if you put it far enough ahead so that it is on or in front of the large mass of the shoulder, and many people do, then it has no reason to move back - and it doesn’t. This is the final test once you have a saddle that you think fits. A roper cinch is wide and contoured, so when they are cinched up and stop quickly, the weight is distributed more evenly over a wider area of the horse, reducing uncomfortable pressure on the horse’s abdomen. When the saddle is sitting directly upon the horse’s withers, pinching can often occur. Having stirrups that are too long will result in a loose leg position, and stirrups too short will adversely affect your seat in the saddle. Find the scapula and measure back 2 inches. Shop saddle pads and blankets. Your saddle pad should fit up and away from your horse’s spine and withers. Place the template over your horse from one mark to the other. This damage is now so common it is seen as normal, but it’s not, and it can be so easily prevented…, Proper position of a Western saddle Position Fix #2: Nix the Splits. So where is the proper place? Saddle up … In general, horses with a wider build need wider trees or bars. Quality endurance saddles will have a rigging system that avoids bulk under the rider's leg, eliminating chafing and irritation. Remember that the longevity of your saddle and tack all depends on how well it is cared for over the years. Wider mutton withered horses have very little definition in this area. Proper saddle placement in the front for riding and to check the saddle length: You want the front of the tree bar right behind the shoulder blade for the rest of the saddle tree bars shape to fit a horse correctly. Step 1, Place the saddle pad on the horses back. We have a new video out!! A quick word on proper cinch position. Regular bars have a narrow angle and Full bars have a wide angle. If you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call 800-370-4838 for assistance. When western trees were used by early endurance saddle makers this forward stirrup position was retained. Saddle Fitting Notes: The proper measurement of the saddle gullet is actually 2 inches below the narrowest part of the gullet, at an even level with the side conchos. Mark that area on both sides your horse, with a piece of tape or chalk. Be sure to avoid over-padding your horse, a common practice that can result in your saddle rolling and sliding more easily. FAQs Related to Parts of the Western Saddle.
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