If you're like me, the thought of shopping for a new western saddle is overwhelming. You've got dozens of choices from which to make your selection, and that can feel overwhelming! But don't worry—it doesn't have to be that way. In this article we'll cover everything you need to know about finding the right fitting western horse saddle so that both you and your horse can enjoy riding in style:
The seat is the most important feature of a saddle. It should be comfortable, soft and wide enough to fit your backside.
Seat width is measured from side-to-side (width), not front-to-back (depth). If you're buying online or in person, try leaning forward so that your knees are at about a 45 degree angle from each other; this will provide an accurate assessment of whether or not your saddle fits over your derrière!
The width of the seat should be wider than your hips. If the saddle is too narrow, it will cut into your thighs and cause chafing.
A good fit is also important, but it's not always easy to tell if your saddle will work for your horse. Saddle width can vary quite a bit depending on the type of riding you do and whether or not it's appropriate for your horse's build. For example, some horses have wider backs than others, which means that the tree should be wide enough to fit your horse's back but not too wide—or else you could end up with sores on his skin in no time!
The best way to determine if this will occur is by trying out different saddles on different horses until one feels right; then stick with it!
When you're trying out a new saddle, make sure to take some time with your horse so you can get a feel for how he responds to different styles of saddles. If he seems tense or sore after riding in one for a while, try another one; if not, then it's probably safe to say that this particular saddle is the right choice for him.
Stirrups and fenders should be comfortable for the rider. The stirrup placement should be close to the center of your seat. If you place them too high or low, it can cause pain in your legs when you ride a horse. You also want to make sure that your fenders aren’t too far away from each other—this will allow for more room for movement and comfort as well as safety when riding on uneven terrain such as trails or hillsides where there may be rocks or gravel underfoot.
The stirrup should be placed so that when you’re sitting in your saddle, the top of the leather is at or just below knee level. If it’s too high, it can cause your leg to cramp up and become uncomfortable. If it’s too low, it may make getting on and off of your horse more difficult as well as cause pain in your legs from riding for long periods of time.
The stirrup should be placed so that when you’re sitting in your saddle, the top of the leather is at or just below knee level. If it’s too high, it can cause your leg to cramp up and become uncomfortable. If it’s too low, it may make getting on and off of your horse more difficult as well as cause pain in your legs from riding for long periods of time.
Once you've chosen the right size saddle, it's important to get one that is also comfortable. A good fitting western saddle is designed with a flatter seat and narrower rails than traditional saddles, which should help keep your weight distributed more evenly across your entire body. The seat itself should be padded with soft foam or leather—the harder materials may cause discomfort in some cases.
The front of your horse’s back should fit well into the pommel (the part where his head rests) and cantle (that part where his shoulders rest). If there are any gaps between these two parts of the saddle, he will feel like he has too much pressure on one area of his back while having less pressure on another area: This can lead him to shift around during use or even cause pain if there aren't enough padding measures taken into consideration during production!
If you can, try out the saddle on your horse before purchasing it. Make sure that it fits well, and that both of you are comfortable. This will help prevent any possible issues during use later down the road.
The measurements for a western saddle are much different than what you would find in an English saddle. Western saddles are measured from the top of the cantle to the bottom of the gullet, while english saddles are measured from the top of their pommels to their gullets. If you don't know how to measure yourself and your horse's girths by feel alone, here's a quick tutorial:
If you're a beginner, it's best to start with an open front seat. A closed front seat is more comfortable for long periods of time and can be easier on your back if you’re riding for hours at a time.
You should also make sure that the saddle is the right size for your horse. If it's too big or too small, it will cause discomfort for both of you.
The next step is to ensure that the saddle is both comfortable and appropriate for your horse’s frame. In addition to being able to get a good fit for yourself, this will help prevent injuries from occurring when you ride in it as well!
Another important thing is shape; if there are any gaps between the padding and where it meets with its seat then this could lead towards discomfort later down the road (and hurtful results). A good rule of thumb here would be: if there were two people sitting side-by-side on an airplane seat then they wouldn't be comfortable either so why should we expect anything different when using something like this? So make sure everything fits together properly before heading out onto our favorite trail with friends so nobody has any trouble getting along after riding together here today.
We hope that this post has been helpful in your search for the best fitting western saddle. If you're still having trouble finding the best one for your needs, please contact us! We love talking about saddles and would be happy to help.