When looking for horse riding saddles there is a lot more to it than just how a saddle looks. There are two key areas that need to be considered before purchasing, does the saddle fit you and most importantly does it fit your horse.

Incorrect saddle fit can cause your horse discomfort, which can lead to bucking and other negative behaviors.  Your horse isn’t purposely trying to harm you, he’s trying to tell you in the only way he knows how that he’s in pain.

So how do you fit a saddle to a horse? The steps for fitting an English saddle to a horse are outlined below:

1. Put the saddle on your horse’s back without a saddle pad.

2. After tightening the girth, have someone mount the horse with feet in the stirrups. You should then be able to slide three fingers underneath the pommel, between the saddle and your horse’s withers.

3. Place your hand between the top of the horse’s shoulder blade and the pommel of the saddle. Have someone assist you by pulling the horse’s foreleg forward.  The horse’s shoulder should move freely unimpeded by the saddle.

4. Finally, stand behind the horse and look between the saddle and the horse’s back. You should see a channel of light

For Western Saddles:

1. Place the saddle on the horse’s back with a one inch thick pad underneath it. Tighten the cinch and have someone sit on the horse. You should be able to fit three fingers between the arch of the pommel and the horse’s withers.

2. Horses with wider backs need a saddle with a wider tree, you want to be careful when your horse has a narrower back that the tree isn’t too wide.  Place your hand flat and slide it between the saddle and the horse’s shoulder, if you can’t get your hand in between or it’s really tight, the tree is too wide. Conversely, if you can get your hand in quite easily, the tree is to narrow.

Horse riding saddles are different and fit each horse differently, determine what size tree you need before you purchase so that you and your horse will both have a comfortable ride.