While you may have an idea of how big your saddle is, do you know how to measure it? These are some guidelines to help you measure the size of your saddle’s seat. The width of the sit bone is the distance between the tops of your buttocks (where your knees meet) and the bottom of your thighs. Your riding style and build will impact the size of your saddle. To find out the size of your saddle, try a larger saddle than you normally wear and measure your sit bone.
To measure your horse’s saddle size, you should scan its conformation. If your horse has a narrower wither, you may need additional padding behind its saddle bars. Also, you should place a shoulder bridge pad between the saddle bars. A medium-sized tree is enough for horses of average stature. A wide-tree-saddle is recommended for a narrow-withered horse. It should be between the cantle of the horse and his withers at least two fingers wide.
Measure the width of your English saddle using your hand. Place your hand in the area between the pommel, the saddle skirt and the panel. Measure the distance between your nailhead (or the center of the saddle cantle) and the saddle’s width. This measurement should not exceed half an inch. A wider saddle will be an Extra Wide/XW saddle. You may need to adjust the width of your fist. Once you have found the right measurement for your English saddle, it will be much easier to purchase a .
When choosing a saddle to fit your horse, take into account your size and your riding style. A small, thigh-high rider will be able to fit in a shallow saddle, while a tall, muscular adult will need a more deep saddle. Saddle size charts do not give exact measurements, but they can help to double-check your measurements. However, they won’t tell you how big or tiny your sit bone is. So make sure to take measurements from at least two people.
A wire measuring tool can be used to measure the horse’s saddle size. The measuring instrument is made of a 16 inch-long piece stiff wire that can be mold to the shape of your horse and then retain its shape after being removed. It is best to use wire that has been soldered or coated. Its eight-inch-long point can help you accurately measure a horse’s wither size. The wire should touch the horse’s skin. It should be parallel to the saddle back and flat.
When measuring your saddle, be sure to include the size of the cantle as well as the seat size. The finished saddle seat is smaller that the tree seat size. It depends on which type of saddle and the manufacturer. A slick saddle seat will be three to five inches less than a full-padded saddle. If your seat is larger, you might consider buying a saddle that has a longer fender.
You can also measure your gullet. This is a crucial component of an English saddle. The gullet is a part below the fork that rests upon the horse’s withers. The size of your saddle will depend on the gullet width and its angle. A proper gullet height is two to four fingers above the saddle fork. To measure the gullet, you can also place a flexible wire over the horse’s withers, which should bend into a slight arch shape.