Western Saddle

Paints4life · 10-14-2005, 10:04 PM

Hey, I am english all the way and I'm buying my mom her first horse. Her horse is a prety paint mare. And I've decided western trail would be easy for her. So now i need a western saddle.

How do i measure for a saddle.Thanks guys

Paints4life · 10-15-2005, 11:21 AM

Anybody

? I feel so for gotten, lol

I'm so loney, miss lonley, i have nobody to call a friend. Oooo wooo wooo(sings of key)

mestep · 10-15-2005, 11:24 AM

Sorry MISS Lonley! I can't tell ya how but try going to some of the western saddle sites and surely one of them will have a guide of how to measure! Good Luck!

Paints4life · 10-15-2005, 11:27 AM

Lol, Thanks mestep.

I really enjoy riding western because its just so fun and comfortable on the behind.

And my 40+ would enjy seeing the sights on horse back during the fall. Heck i enjoy seeing the sights. You know i have actually considered giving up competition just to trail ride. What am i drinking!

mestep · 10-15-2005, 11:27 AM

I found this so far!

WESTERN SADDLES
Check the fit of any western saddle by first placing it on your horse's back without a pad, and look at the overall picture: does it look too big or too long for the horse? Too small? Any saddle that immediately looks out of proportion probably is not a good fit for any of several reasons. Check the gullet to be sure it's not resting on or too near the horses's withers, and remember that your weight in the saddle will settle it down at least 1/2 inch. The panels, which are the fleece-covered portion underneath, should smoothly match the angle of your horse's shoulder. If you try to slip your hand under the bars of the saddle from the front, you should feel a uniform snugness from the top, near the gullet, to the points of the tree which are about halfway down the saddle. If the top feels tight but there is room for your hand to slide in an inch or two down, the tree is probably too wide for your horse. On the other hand, if there is space showing on the panels above your horse's withers and it feels like a tight squeeze a few inches down, the tree is probably too narrow.

While there is not complete uniformity in the definitions of terms for tree size, most manufacturers of western saddles will sell saddles with semi-quarter or full-quarter horse bars. Semi-quarter trees, also known as regular or standard trees, will fit most stock-type horses with fairly prominent withers and average shoulders. Shorter, stockier horses with minimal withers and very round shoulders often require full-quarter, or wide, trees. These trees are generally built the same as semi-quarter trees, but with a wider gullet to accommodate a wider shoulder. Some saddle-makers also make Arab trees, which are typically built narrow in the gullet to fit over a smaller spine, and are flatter in the bars to better fit very round-barreled horses.

The saddle's front skirt should rest far enough back that it does not interefere with the movement of the shoulder, and the seat should be centered and balanced. A saddle that tips up in front may be positioned too far forward, or it may be too narrow. If it tips up in back, it's probably too wide. At the rear, the skirt should stop at least two inches in front of the point of the hip, to avoid rubbing as the horse moves forward.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

mestep · 10-15-2005, 11:36 AM

IMO, most of your western saddles are pretty universal as far as fitting them to a Quarter horse or Paint! I would reccomend a square skirt and not a round skirt, because from my experiences they just don't sit correct.
After getting a saddle you can tell if you need a thick or thin blanket or if you need a pad! It wont be to bad!!!

version1955 · 10-15-2005, 11:56 AM

I have western saddles (in fact when I get home I need to take a photo of one to sell it!) and its difficult to do because there just is no easy way. It all makes sense when you read it or someone tells you but then you get home and ... "Huh?" Or maybe I'm just dumb.

Probably.

There are kits though you can buy to help measure. I even heard of using an unbent coat hanger to shape to fit around the top part of your horse where the saddle is going. There are also rules of thumb for how long the seat needs to be to accomodate the rider's thigh measurement. My thighs are 21" around and I fit a 15" saddle barrel saddle (steeper slope to the horn than a pleasure saddle). The 16" pleasure saddles are very comfortable but I do feel like I am swimming in them and I like the secure feeling of a barrel saddle, that slope up from the seat to the horn pushes me up.

There are also indicators AFTER you've taken the saddle off after a ride. The sweat should be on the sides where the tree sat against the horse, not on the topline.

I didn't know that about round skirts. Huh, just saved myself some grief there, thanks mestep! I was looking at one, maybe that's why it was for sale? Pretty too!

Pains4life, is there anyone around who could lend you a saddle to try?

Paints4life · 10-15-2005, 09:15 PM

No, I have no westerners around. I wish i knew more 'cause this is driving me crazy. I haven't ridden western in over 4 yrs! And that was a trail ride with some friends. Grrrrr. If only i could just say ok this is what i have this is how much i can spend now GET ME A SADDLE!. humph. so tired and frustrated. oh well thanks u guys, any more advice would be greatly appreciated.

Lady_MCSE · 10-15-2005, 09:37 PM

Paints4life,

If you're in Racine, I would think there should be a decent saddle shop somewhere that you could do some checking out. My best recommendation is to have your mom sit in a few first to get an idea of the seat. You don't have to buy brand new, but it will help you get an idea of what you want.

I'd say most skinny to average weight people would do fine in a 15" or 16" seat, and you probably want a pleasure or trail saddle from what you described. I'm a 2x gal, and I could squeeze into a 17", but prefer the 18" more.

If you don't have a good saddleshop nearby, I can vouch for West 20 Saddle shop in East Troy - it might be as much as an hour's drive from you, but it's worth it. They have a jaw-dropping selection, including some used tack. I got my used Circle Y there for about 1/2 what it would cost new.

Paints4life · 10-15-2005, 10:22 PM

You live in wisconsin too? What part? East troy? Thanks i'll look into that.

Lady_MCSE · 10-16-2005, 08:14 AM

No, I'm just south of the border - Illinois. East Troy was about an hour's drive for me too.

Here's what I pulled off of yellowpages.com. They don't seem to have their own website. But I do know that they had just moved in March, and they also told me over the phone that "Mapquest" directions would send you about 10 miles away. So it would be worth a phone call to make sure you've got address and directions from them.

WEST 20 SADDLE COMPANY
W4812 HIGHWAY 20, EAST TROY, WI 53120
Phone: (262) 642-4272

Also, if your mom hasn't ridden much before, and if she has any knee or hip problems at all, get her a set of Cashel's EZ Knees for the saddle. The western saddle is nice because of the horn and may make new riders feel more secure, but it can be very hard on the knees. (Especially new saddles.) The EZ Knees will help the stirrups to turn more freely. They cost around $40, but have been way more valuable than that to me!

Paints4life · 10-16-2005, 06:42 PM

Thanks for the advice. For a paint should i get a full quarter bar saddle? I have no idea what these things mean but thats wehat the description said. Any who thanks.

circle c · 10-19-2005, 05:56 PM

All western saddles being pretty much universal is NOT AT ALL TRUE!

The full Quarter Horse bars are for the chunky, wide QH types
The semi-Quarter horse bars are for smaller, thinner breeds

Gullet width and skirt width are also factors.

Get a hold of a professional saddle fitter if you can. If you can't, a good way to tell if the saddle fits is to put it on your horse and go work him untill his back is wet (sweaty). If there are no dry spots anywhere, then the saddle probably fits well.

Paints4life · 10-19-2005, 06:06 PM

But how many dealers are willing to let me work the saddle and if it don't fit give it back?

circle c · 10-20-2005, 10:02 AM

ALL the saddle dealers around here have a time limit for bringing a saddle back. For most it is a week. ANY saddle dealer knows that you have to have a proper fit and you might need to bring a saddle back. Don't buy a saddle from a dealer that won't let you bring it back.

platinumdragon · 10-20-2005, 02:22 PM

hi u might try a assy saddle too ..i find that i have less back pain in ridding this and less leg problems too.. i have been reworking horses all my life this is my saddle of choseing and it is harded to fall out for one ....{just looks funny } i would even go so fare as to say that i would trade all my western for one good assy saddle....i hope that this helps too ...platinundragon

circle c · 10-20-2005, 06:08 PM

Do you mean an AUSSIE saddle?

platinumdragon · 10-21-2005, 02:06 PM

yes sorry i missed the spelling hahahashahaaaaaa long night

10-14-2005, 10:04 PM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	Western Saddle Hey, I am english all the way and I'm buying my mom her first horse. Her horse is a prety paint mare. And I've decided western trail would be easy for her. So now i need a western saddle. How do i measure for a saddle.Thanks guys

10-15-2005, 11:21 AM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	Anybody ? I feel so for gotten, lol I'm so loney, miss lonley, i have nobody to call a friend. Oooo wooo wooo(sings of key)

10-15-2005, 11:24 AM
mestep Started Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Crab Orchard, Ky Posts: 2,246	Sorry MISS Lonley! I can't tell ya how but try going to some of the western saddle sites and surely one of them will have a guide of how to measure! Good Luck! __________________

10-15-2005, 11:27 AM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	Lol, Thanks mestep. I really enjoy riding western because its just so fun and comfortable on the behind. And my 40+ would enjy seeing the sights on horse back during the fall. Heck i enjoy seeing the sights. You know i have actually considered giving up competition just to trail ride. What am i drinking!

10-15-2005, 11:36 AM
mestep Started Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Crab Orchard, Ky Posts: 2,246	IMO, most of your western saddles are pretty universal as far as fitting them to a Quarter horse or Paint! I would reccomend a square skirt and not a round skirt, because from my experiences they just don't sit correct. After getting a saddle you can tell if you need a thick or thin blanket or if you need a pad! It wont be to bad!!! __________________

10-15-2005, 11:56 AM
version1955 Bombproof Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: northern MN Posts: 8,747	I have western saddles (in fact when I get home I need to take a photo of one to sell it!) and its difficult to do because there just is no easy way. It all makes sense when you read it or someone tells you but then you get home and ... "Huh?" Or maybe I'm just dumb. Probably. There are kits though you can buy to help measure. I even heard of using an unbent coat hanger to shape to fit around the top part of your horse where the saddle is going. There are also rules of thumb for how long the seat needs to be to accomodate the rider's thigh measurement. My thighs are 21" around and I fit a 15" saddle barrel saddle (steeper slope to the horn than a pleasure saddle). The 16" pleasure saddles are very comfortable but I do feel like I am swimming in them and I like the secure feeling of a barrel saddle, that slope up from the seat to the horn pushes me up. There are also indicators AFTER you've taken the saddle off after a ride. The sweat should be on the sides where the tree sat against the horse, not on the topline. I didn't know that about round skirts. Huh, just saved myself some grief there, thanks mestep! I was looking at one, maybe that's why it was for sale? Pretty too! Pains4life, is there anyone around who could lend you a saddle to try? __________________ Ya know how a horse responds better when you're "speaking" horse and she's in the mood to listen? Its like that between God and you too.

10-15-2005, 09:15 PM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	No, I have no westerners around. I wish i knew more 'cause this is driving me crazy. I haven't ridden western in over 4 yrs! And that was a trail ride with some friends. Grrrrr. If only i could just say ok this is what i have this is how much i can spend now GET ME A SADDLE!. humph. so tired and frustrated. oh well thanks u guys, any more advice would be greatly appreciated.

10-15-2005, 09:37 PM
Lady_MCSE Seasoned Join Date: May 2005 Location: Shytown, IL Posts: 4,483	Western Saddle Paints4life, If you're in Racine, I would think there should be a decent saddle shop somewhere that you could do some checking out. My best recommendation is to have your mom sit in a few first to get an idea of the seat. You don't have to buy brand new, but it will help you get an idea of what you want. I'd say most skinny to average weight people would do fine in a 15" or 16" seat, and you probably want a pleasure or trail saddle from what you described. I'm a 2x gal, and I could squeeze into a 17", but prefer the 18" more. If you don't have a good saddleshop nearby, I can vouch for West 20 Saddle shop in East Troy - it might be as much as an hour's drive from you, but it's worth it. They have a jaw-dropping selection, including some used tack. I got my used Circle Y there for about 1/2 what it would cost new. __________________ "A pun is its own reword." — Dance Drier, British comedian

10-15-2005, 10:22 PM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	You live in wisconsin too? What part? East troy? Thanks i'll look into that.

10-16-2005, 08:14 AM
Lady_MCSE Seasoned Join Date: May 2005 Location: Shytown, IL Posts: 4,483	Western Saddle No, I'm just south of the border - Illinois. East Troy was about an hour's drive for me too. Here's what I pulled off of yellowpages.com. They don't seem to have their own website. But I do know that they had just moved in March, and they also told me over the phone that "Mapquest" directions would send you about 10 miles away. So it would be worth a phone call to make sure you've got address and directions from them. WEST 20 SADDLE COMPANY W4812 HIGHWAY 20, EAST TROY, WI 53120 Phone: (262) 642-4272 Also, if your mom hasn't ridden much before, and if she has any knee or hip problems at all, get her a set of Cashel's EZ Knees for the saddle. The western saddle is nice because of the horn and may make new riders feel more secure, but it can be very hard on the knees. (Especially new saddles.) The EZ Knees will help the stirrups to turn more freely. They cost around $40, but have been way more valuable than that to me! __________________ "A pun is its own reword." — Dance Drier, British comedian

10-20-2005, 06:08 PM
circle c Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Meadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 119	Do you mean an AUSSIE saddle? __________________ In memory of Flye. 12/15/2004 to 03/28/2009. You will be missed.

10-16-2005, 06:42 PM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	Thanks for the advice. For a paint should i get a full quarter bar saddle? I have no idea what these things mean but thats wehat the description said. Any who thanks.

10-19-2005, 05:56 PM
circle c Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Meadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 119	All western saddles being pretty much universal is NOT AT ALL TRUE! The full Quarter Horse bars are for the chunky, wide QH types The semi-Quarter horse bars are for smaller, thinner breeds Gullet width and skirt width are also factors. Get a hold of a professional saddle fitter if you can. If you can't, a good way to tell if the saddle fits is to put it on your horse and go work him untill his back is wet (sweaty). If there are no dry spots anywhere, then the saddle probably fits well. __________________ In memory of Flye. 12/15/2004 to 03/28/2009. You will be missed.

10-19-2005, 06:06 PM
Paints4life Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: milwaukee, wisconsin Posts: 641	But how many dealers are willing to let me work the saddle and if it don't fit give it back?

10-20-2005, 10:02 AM
circle c Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Meadville, Pennsylvania Posts: 119	ALL the saddle dealers around here have a time limit for bringing a saddle back. For most it is a week. ANY saddle dealer knows that you have to have a proper fit and you might need to bring a saddle back. Don't buy a saddle from a dealer that won't let you bring it back. __________________ In memory of Flye. 12/15/2004 to 03/28/2009. You will be missed.

10-20-2005, 02:22 PM
platinumdragon Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: independence mo Posts: 5	hi i have a suggustion for u hi u might try a assy saddle too ..i find that i have less back pain in ridding this and less leg problems too.. i have been reworking horses all my life this is my saddle of choseing and it is harded to fall out for one ....{just looks funny } i would even go so fare as to say that i would trade all my western for one good assy saddle....i hope that this helps too ...platinundragon __________________ LIVE TO RIDE //RIDE TO LIVE AND ALL WAYS HAVE FUN

10-21-2005, 02:06 PM
platinumdragon Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: independence mo Posts: 5	oooops yes sorry i missed the spelling hahahashahaaaaaa long night __________________ LIVE TO RIDE //RIDE TO LIVE AND ALL WAYS HAVE FUN