How to Measure a Western Saddle Gullet

A western saddle's gullet is the cutout under the fork that sits over the horse's withers. The width and height of the gullet is determined by the design of the fork and the angle of the saddle tree bars. There are no standards when it comes to measuring a gullet. Each saddle maker has his own measurements.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Measure the unfinished saddle tree rather than a finished saddle. There is no good way to measure the gullet on a finished saddle.

2. Find the saddle fork. Measure down the inside of the saddle fork.

3. Measure across the front of the fork, inside to inside.

4. There should be two to four fingers-width of room between the horse's withers and the gullet. Make sure there is enough clearance over the withers. Gullets that are too short cause the saddle to rub the withers. If the gullet is too wide, the saddle will sit too low and rub the horse's withers.