Saddle School

[gratefulknits]

I have another newbie question (and if this thread should be elsewhere, please feel free to move it!):

I am starting to look at saddles (English) for my girls and realize that there are a lot of terms I don't understand. I have found a great website that explains how to tell if a saddle fits properly (I can post the link if anyone else wants it) but what I don't know is how to shop for a saddle. I don't want to bring home 50 different saddles and then try them for fit.

Does anyone have a resource (book, website, pamphlet) that goes over all the saddle lingo? Things like "full QH bars" for example mean nothing to me. I know I could hire a saddle agent to come out and fit them, but I'd sure prefer to start with used saddles if at all possible. I think I'll probably need 2 saddles, because Pippin and Gualala are shaped very differently!

I'm in no rush, I'd like to start my serious shopping in a few more months and just want to educate myself first. Thanks in advance for giving this newbie a lesson!

[jenm]

I don't know anything about western saddles, but these links seem to be pretty helpful.

www.western-saddle-guide.com/

www.pernokassaddlery.com/ask.htm

saddlezone.com/html-top/fitting_horse.htm

You are smart to start researching this well ahead of time!

[ebo]

I used to work for a saddle company & was trained in proper fit. I can also help you with terminology.

When you're shopping for English saddles, you would first want to know what discipline you want to follow because the disciplines usually require a slightly different seat & a saddle that will help you maintain that seat. If you haven't decided what you want to do yet, it would be good to buy an "All Purpose, VSD, saddle in the proper size for you and your horse. ("VSD" means Very Slightly Dressage).

You need to determine what size seat YOU need, and that is based on length of thigh, measurement of upper thigh, and, to a certain extent where you carry your weight. BUT, the hard part is that every saddler uses a slightly different tree and finishing, so an 18" seat in one saddle will not necessarily be the same size as an 18" seat from another saddler. As a rule of thumb, when you're sitting in a likely saddle, you want to be able to put your hand between your butt and the cantle. The easiest way to check the fit of the various brands is to go to a tack shop that has lots of English saddles, and just try them on. Just btw, the size designation in western and English saddles is different. For example, a 16" seat in a western saddle is verging on BIG, but is little bitty in an English saddle.

Next, you get to worry about fitting your horse. I don't have space or years it would take to give you directions on that "little" subject, but I will recommend to you Mary Wanless' book, For the Good of The Horse. Also, visit www.balancesaddles.com , www. reactorpanel.com , and www.ansursaddles.com for fairly heady discussions on flexible and treeless English saddles. Semi-quarterhorse bars and full quarterhorse bars are western terms. English saddles don't have bars, but have panels, which are stuffed with wool (best) foam or other stuff.

When you're ready to buy, let me know and I'll give you some sources that will let you try the saddles for various lengths of time before you buy.

Have fun. I looooove saddles.

[NanciK]

Hope, if you're wanting to fit a saddle to a TB, that is an "art" unto itself, with the high withers.

Be sure to look for sites that specialize in fitting for TBs. I'll come back here to post some links.

[gratefulknits]

Thanks Nanci, you guessed it. Gualala has withers shaped like a steeple! Partly being out of shape, I imagine, but I know she won't end up flat even with conditioning. Pippin is well, Pippin! I don't know what mix of breeds she is; she's a bit flatter across the withers than Gualala but otherwise to my untrained eye looks about the same shape. Still, I figure each girl will need her own saddle.

I appreciate everyone's input!

[jenm]

Hope,

If you are going to be fitting english saddles, I highly recommend using a professional saddle fitter. I used one when I first fitted Jamaica for a saddle and will have him re-fit her again next month since her body is different since she is no longer pregnant. The cool thing about using a saddle fitter is if adjustments are necessary, they are done on the spot so you know the saddle will be an exact fit.

Since you mentioned quarter bars, I guessed you were only interested in western saddles, but thought I would post this info in case you are interested in both.

[gratefulknits]

Thanks jen, nanci, and and ebo. I appreciate the sites and advice. I will be looking at English saddles, since that's how I learned to ride and oddly I feel more secure with the closer contact of an English saddle than a Western one. However, I think at some point I may even look at the Aussie saddles, if in fact Pippin and I end up out on the trails! I can see how a bit more saddle could be a lot more comfortable for a long ride. I'll share here if I find out any other great info!