Hi there,

I would like to add to this interesting thread...

I am a trained western saddlefitter that, at the moment, has no vested interest in selling anything (as I have no business atm - hopefully going back into it next year though in the south of G.

To buy from America in the hope that the saddle might vaguely fit is taking a huge gamble on your horses comfort and wellbeing. Please see link below - it is SO interesting and nicely written. I feel it is a MUST for all riders so at least you are aware of how to recognise discomfort.

http://www.equethy.com/saddlefit.htm

I saw MANY horses with severe muscle wastage around the withers, horses in severe discomfort and pain because saddles were used that simply did not fit. Would you buy a pair of shoes for your child from the internet and force them to wear them whether they fitted or not? Only difference is - your horse cannot 'tell' you if the saddle does not fit!

I could pussy foot around and not say it as I have experienced it - but then I would be lying. It is 100% VITAL to get a saddle that fits 100% properly. I do not mean to offend anyone. I am a nice person who has seen alot of horrors Thanks for reading

Thanks for that Sixfootblonde,maybe I worry about things to much and doubt myself when it come to horses. I just know I still have a lot to learn, hopefully you are good at your job and can help us and our horses

Are there any western saddle fitters in Scotland? I don't have a clue what size my mare would be; she's 17" wide in an english saddle.

I don't have loads of spare cash (that time of year and just bought a TB ex-racer :o to hopefully event which is why I would like to convert my current mare to western) so if I knew the size she needed would I be better buying the make/size from America...or is that really cheeky to saddle fitter?? :-[

Also, what are good makes of western tack? I've spent the past 3yrs reading up on western on this site, the internet in general, books & magazines and watching videos & DVDs but I don't think anything compensates for actual practice and experience and I'm still none the wiser about tack; seems to be a bit of a grey area? ???

Bored before xmas dinner so excuse my rambling... :- I will no doubt be posting again soon re how the frig do I convert my mare!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!! :-*

Jill x

Hi bit of both, Maybe you could get a few like minded folk together for a saddle fitting clinic ,I would guess one of the tack shops would load a van with saddles etc and visit if there was a chance of selling a saddle or two ????  ;D

Hi there Bit of Both

I am not sure of availablility of good saddle fitters around the country Regarding the fit of western saddles - because they are so rigid (no flocking like an english saddle) they MUST reflect the shape of the horses' back. So it is not just the width but the dippiness (rock) and how wide the shoulders are (flair). I have a template - looks like a centipede that you mould to your horses back as accurately as possible. This can be tried into saddles without your horse present to get a pretty good rough idea of what saddles will fit. Then they just need to be tried on and evaluated

Regarding cheekiness - I personally charge ?40 for a saddlefit plus travel so I would not have a problem with you using my knowledge to purchase one from somewhere else. In fact I think it is really important to offer that service so people have choice I would caution about buying direct from America though as the cost is very high if you wish to return it. Could you not find second-hand in this country?

Re. makes of tack - I really like the Continental range as they make them for our european breeds not just the wide flat backed QH's. This is really important as all our horses do look very different in conformation. They are also very good quality. As are Circle Y etc but these are more generically made.

If you want to PM me I can give you my tel no if you wish to talk about this in more detail

Happy Christmas and good luck

A very interesting thread with some good advice given, but as an American and one who has grown up riding western there is something I wanted to add. While it is very important to find a saddle that fits the horse and rider, western saddles are made with a very different way of fitting from an English saddle. The theory behind western saddle sizing (why we size them by seat and width) is because of the way they are designed to be fitted. The rock and flair certainly come into play, but the real 'art' to saddle fitting in a western saddle is also in the pads used. Having a rigid tree with weight distributed over a greater portion of the horses back allows the saddle fit to be more forgiving. To use the shoe analogy, a typical english saddle would be more of a high heel- form fitting and exact, whereas the western saddle would be a hiking boot with the saddle blankets/pads being the insole and sole of the boot. Having a comfortable upper is all well and good, but you're not going on much of a hike without the proper bottom! While not every saddle fits every horse, and some horses are particularly difficult to fit, a custom saddle is NOT necessary. I hear many people being convinced that because of the shape of their horse (often these are very average sized/shaped horses) that they need something custom done or to buy a ?1500-?2000 european saddle. Just remember, like any other industry people often do have their own interests ahead of they buyers- many times it's worth trying several saddles from several vendors if need be in order to find something you and your horse is comfortable with.

Additionally, while it's important to check the tree and skirts with your horses back, you should NOT be riding in your western saddle without propper padding. I see many people in this country riding English without pads, something that can be done with that style of saddle, it is not appropriate for a western saddle. The fastest way for your horse to have pinching, irritation or other discomfort is to not have proper and adequate padding. In fact, the padding is so important that there are many horses who's conformation is compensated for with the padding NOT the saddle. For example a horse that is a bit high withered and thin through the shoulder and front such as a finer build TB or narrow chested stock horse. This horse doesn't need a specially designed saddle, usually finding a quality semi quarter tree saddle with a cutback or even built up cutback pads will even out the pressure and weight distribution.
I would recommend considering a QUALITY used saddle over a questionable new one any day, and many times you can buy a better saddle for half to a quarter of the price. In America we take for granted the availabilty of good second hand saddles, here I know they are harder to get hold of. Ebay or private sellers is always an option, there are some excellent saddles to be bought off ebay as long as you're willing to take the chance of the need to sell it on if the saddle is not right or not as described. Another option is a tack seller who deals in second hand saddles. I've found that my students have had such a difficult time finding good saddles that I've started importing them myself, as I have the resources and connections 'back at home' to get them. I am always happy to be on the lookout for special requests, and try to bring saddles over several times a year at the very least. Normally good used saddles run ?450-800 after factoring in all shipping, duties etc.

Good luck to all of you, and happy riding!
Harmony