How to Convert English to Western Girth

Measure your horse to determine its saddle size.

Horse saddle manufacturers in different parts of the world use different sizes. Typically, a horse will wear a western size that is 8 to 16 sizes smaller than his English size. Saddle size measurements are always a guide. Different saddle brands fit slightly differently and your horse may prefer a saddle that is a size or two larger or smaller than the guide suggests. You may have to try several different brands of saddles before deciding on the perfect saddle.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

Determine the English Girth

1. Measure your horse's body. Place a tape measure over the place where the horse's neck and back meet and wrap the tape around the horse's body so that both ends of the tape measure touch.

2. Pull the tape taught. Mark the measurement.

3. Divide the measurement by two and subtract by 3 to find the English girth. For example, if your horse's measurement was 70, the girth would be (70/2) - 3, or 32.

Convert

1. Measure your horse's height. Place a tape measure along the place where the horses neck and body meet.

2. Pull the tape measure to the ground. Make a note of this measurement. Divide this number, in inches, by 4 to determine the height of your horse in "hands." Most horses are between 13 and 17 hands.

3. Convert the English girth saddle size to the western saddle size. For a horse that is smaller than 14H, subtract 8 from the English size (38) to find the western size (30). For a horse that is between 14 and 15H, subtract 10 to find the western size. For a horse that is between 15 and 16H, subtract 14. For a horse that is between 16 and 17H, subtract 16.

References

• Saddles Shop: Girth Chart
• PFI Western: Step By Step Guide to Fitting a Saddle
• Cowboy Way: How to Measure Horse Height

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish