How to Properly Fit a Saddle

The majority of riders do not know how to properly place their saddle on their horse. This can cause soreness on the back and put the rider in a position of being off balance. I am going to show you with my stallion, Shotgun, the proper way to set a saddle. Saddle makers will agree that most people put their saddle too far forward. This will restrict the movement of the shoulder which on any horse, especially gaited horses, impedes the movement to gait out with freedom and fluidity. It will cause your horse to brace up and tighten the muscles thus making the horse sore and not getting correct gait.

In the photo below, I used a flex measure to show where the saddle should be placed just behind the scapula. There is a "sweet spot" that dips just behind the shoulder blade. You can put the saddle on top of the shoulder then slide it back until it just sits right in this sweet spot. If you have a mutton withered horse, it can be a little tricky to find and you will need to use your thumbs to find it, but it is there! Just find the scapula and go behind it.

The girth should be a hands length behind the elbow. Do not place your girth/cinch directly under or behind the elbow -- you will gall your horse by doing this. A hands length! With the Watson Saddles you can adjust your rigging on both sides for the shape of your horse. On this saddle, the girth comes in alignment with the "Y" rigging as it should be.

The photo below shows how the saddle without the pad would set properly on your horse. The shoulder is now able to move freely with the panel just behind the scapula. The girth is away from the elbow. The rider is sitting correctly on the spine for proper balance and keeping the back from becoming sore.

I use a half-inch pad only and have about an inch of pad in front of the front panel.

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Last Updated: 2/21/2010
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