A saddle is a critical piece of equipment for anyone who rides. It’s as important as your helmet and gloves when you’re out on the trail. The right saddle is important for your horse as well as your own safety and comfort. It should support your horse’s back while remaining lightweight enough that you aren’t feeling like you’re sitting on a stack of bricks. But how do you know if a saddle is the right fit for you and your horse? There are a few things to look for when trying to determine if a particular saddle is the right fit for your horse. Here is a quick checklist to help determine if a certain saddle might be the best fit for you and yours:
What size is the horse?
The first thing you should do is take a look at your horse to determine their size. Many people use the same size saddle for all of their horses, but this is not the best way to go about things. Different sized horses require different sized saddles to support them properly and comfortably. You can use a measuring tape to determine the circumference of your horse’s middle. This is usually a good estimate of their girth size. You can also try measuring around the withers, or the bony protrusions on the front of the horse’s neck. This will give you a better idea of what size saddle you should be looking for. If you aren’t sure how to measure your horse, there are many measuring guides online that can help you.
Decide on the type of rider you are
This is an important step before making any final decisions about the saddle you want to purchase. Each type of rider has different needs, so you want to make sure that you are purchasing the right type of saddle for your type of riding. If you are currently only doing casual trail riding, you don’t need a fancy show or dressage saddle. But if you are looking to enter competitions, you will want to make sure to purchase a saddle that will help you achieve the level of performance that you are looking for.
Try out a few different models
Now that you have determined the type of rider you are, the next step is to try out a few different models. This is the best way to make sure that the saddle you pick is the right fit for both you and your horse. Saddles come in different sizes and styles, so you want to make sure that you try out a few different models to see which one feels best on your horse. Be sure to try out several different sizes as well, as sizes vary depending on the type of horse you own.
Go on the trail and try it out
The best way to truly determine if a certain saddle is a good fit is to go on the trail and try it out. This gives you a chance to really feel the comfort of the saddle in your own hands and on your own horse. This will help you to make a more informed decision when you are looking at different models again.
Bottom line
Ultimately, the best way to determine if a saddle is the right fit for you and your horse is to go on the trail and try it out. This is the only way to truly know if a saddle is a good fit for you both.