How to Fit an Aussie Saddle

All saddles are not built the same. Each saddle comes with specific measurements to make it fit horse and rider. Ignoring these sizing requirements can cause discomfort and even injury to both horse and rider. This is particularly true of "heavy" saddles like Western and Aussie saddles. Australian saddles are well-known for their durability and comfort for riders, but to achieve either of those things the saddle must be properly fitted to horse and rider.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wire, 3 pieces
• Straight ruler

1. Measure your horse's withers. Withers are located at the base of the neck, where the front of the saddle will rest. Use one piece of wire to make a pattern of your horse's withers.

2. Repeat this measurement 5 inches back from the withers, across the horse's back. Take a third reading 5 inches behind the second reading. These measurements will be important in deciding what size of "tree" (frame) your Aussie saddle should have.

3. Test saddles by sitting in them. You should be able to sit comfortably in the seat of the saddle, with the cantle (where the saddle starts to turn up) rising behind you, and the pommel (front of the saddle) rising slightly in front of you.

4. Measure the saddle using a straight ruler on the seat once you've found a saddle that fits. The measurement will run from the stitched seam on the front of the pommel to the inside of the cantle. Each rider takes a specific size of saddle based on this measurement.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect a new saddle to be stiff, regardless of how well it fits you. It will take some time to break the saddle in.
• Badly fitted saddles can cause sores on the horse's back and horse misbehavior.

References

• Saddle Fitting Information
• Australian Stock Saddle