If you've ever been on a horse, you know how important it is to find the right horse saddle. A good fitting western saddle can make all the difference in terms of comfort and control for both rider and horse. But choosing one that fits your horse well isn't always easy! In this article, we'll explore some tips for picking out a western saddle that will fit your particular needs. We'll also talk about what types of trees are best for different breeds; how wide gullets need to be; as well as other factors that influence overall fitment quality - like whether or not your horse has "prominent withers" or straight/low withers."
There are four main things to pay attention to - tree, bars, gullet, and seat.
You’ll need to pay attention to four main things: the tree, bars, gullet and seat. The tree is the overall shape of your saddle. It can be made from leather or plastic and should be ergonomic for your horse's back and legs. The bars are supports for your weight; they will help keep you in place as you ride. The gullet is a space between the top of your horse’s shoulder blades and its saddle (and possibly other places). This area needs room because it protects him from injury when he moves around too much—for example if he kicks out with his front feet when trying hard!
Picking out a western saddle that fits a particular horse well takes time, patience and lots of knowledge. But once you have found it, you'll have a long-lasting piece of tack that you can use for years to come!
The first thing to pay attention to is: What kind of horse or horses are going to be using the saddle? Will it be used for riding under saddle or just for trail riding? How much does he or she weigh? What size is this particular saddle designed for (full blooded High In The Saddle)?
The second thing we need to look at when making our selection is how comfortable they feel on THEIR HORSES – not OURS!!! If they don't fit right then there's no point in spending money on them because they won't do anything but make someone uncomfortable while wearing them... which means we're wasting money too!
The tree determines the overall shape of the saddle.
The tree is the main structure of the saddle. It determines how you will be able to sit on your horse and it can be made out of wood, fiberglass or carbon fiber. The number of pieces that make up this main part is also important to note because some saddles have multiple pieces while others have just one piece.
The bars of a western saddle support the rider's weight and distribute it evenly over the horse's back.
A western saddle is made up of a frame and bars, which are the parts of the saddle that sit on the horse’s back. The bars support your weight and distribute it evenly over the horse's back. They must be wide enough to allow for proper breathing and circulation, but not too wide so as to cause discomfort or injury when ridden in a forward position (when you're sitting straight-legged).
Gullet width is important because it's the space between the top of your horse's shoulder blades and your saddle. It can be anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 inches wide, depending on the type of riding you do and whether or not you plan on buying a padded seat or not (more on this below).
How the saddle fits on the horse's back impacts the comfort of both you and your horse.
When you're looking for a saddle, it's important to consider how it will fit on your horse. The first thing that comes to mind is whether or not the saddle is comfortable for both you and your horse. If you want a saddle that feels good on your back, but doesn't feel good when sitting in it—or vice versa—then this could be an issue. You might want to look elsewhere!
There are different ways in which saddles can fit differently depending on who's wearing them: either their body shape (which affects how much pressure is put on their back), or whether they have an extra wide or narrow seat (depending on whether they're tall or short). When buying one of these styles of saddles, think about what kind will work best with each rider's individual needs; this way everyone can enjoy riding together while still having fun doing so!
A good fitting saddle is one where you can comfortably place three fingers (horizontally) between your horse's withers and the cantle of the saddle.
To measure this distance, stand on a hard surface with one foot flat on it. Place your hands on either side of your horse's withers just behind them, pushing them forward until they touch each other. Make sure that there is no space between these two points; if there is any, then you have room for improvement! A good fitting saddle will not have a gap between the horse's back and your legs when you are mounted.
A deep seat allows for better control, which can be helpful for beginners or children.
A deep seat is good for beginners and children. It allows for better control, which can be helpful for beginners or children who may not have the experience or coordination to handle a saddle with a shallow seat. In addition to helping with control, it also helps with balance and comfort; this is because there's no pressure on your leg when you're sitting in one of these saddles. Finally, having a deep seat gives you confidence that you won't fall off during rides because it will keep you in place during rough terrain (or if the horse has an issue with jumping).
The types of saddles that have deep seats are the western saddles, which are most often used by people who ride horses for leisure. These saddles have a large cushion in the seat area that is designed to make riding more comfortable; however, they aren't as good for control or balance.
Horses with prominent withers need a wider gullet to fit comfortably into their saddles.
If you have a horse with prominent withers, it's important to ensure that he fits comfortably into his saddle. The wider gullet of these saddles allows them to be used on horses with high withers and short backs, as well as wide backs and wide horses. However, if your horse has a long back (the hock), then the wider girth will not be comfortable for him.
If your horse has a long back, you will want to look for a saddle with a narrower girth. These saddles are more comfortable for horses with long backs.
A horse with a straight or low wither will need a different type of saddle tree than one with a high wither.
As you can see, there are many different types of saddles. The first step in choosing the right one for your horse is to know what kind of saddle trees he or she needs. The following guidelines will help you find the right one for your horse:
High withers are more common in ponies, but they're not limited to them—horses with high withers generally need a wider saddle tree than those with low withers (though some horses will have intermediate levels).
Narrower saddles fit horses with sloping shoulders better than wider ones because they prevent their heads from falling forward when they're in motion and keep them upright during trotting or cantering exercises. They also make it easier for riders who don't have much upper body strength (such as women) because they eliminate strain on their arms by distributing weight evenly across multiple joints instead of concentrating all that pressure onto just one area above our head."
Conclusion
There's a lot to consider when choosing the right western saddles for you and your horse. The most important thing is: don't rush it. It can take a while to find the right one that works best with your horse's build, so take your time and do some research before making any purchases!