Posted: 3rd September 2019 | Back to news feed
In this post Society of Master Saddlers’ Qualified Saddle Fitter, Helen Reader, answers some frequently asked questions on saddlery.
1, I have just purchased a horse which is rather short in the back. My 17.5inch event saddle looks very long on him but is a good fit for myself. I am long in the leg. How can I resolve this so that we are both comfortable and safe?
I would recommend a visit by a Society of Master Saddlers’ Qualified Saddle Fitter in the first instance to assess your current saddle and fit. A shorter saddle would be required, so that it doesn’t sit on the lumber region of the horse. To accommodate the your leg the saddle would need to be either more forward cut or have a high knee block which your leg can sit under. This would allow you to remain balanced and secure in the saddle which is obviously important especially when going cross-country. Another area to look at is a saddle with a flatter seat as this can also give the ypu more ‘room’ in the saddle than a deep seat would.
2, How far back is ‘too far back’ on a horse’s back for the saddle to sit?
The horse’s back needs to be carefully looked after whether a leisure horse or one competing at the highest level. It is important that the tree of the saddle must not go beyond the last rib. The panel of the tree can go past this but not the tree.
3, Could you tell me how to tell if my saddle is the correct size for me?
Again a visit by a Society of Master Saddlers’ Qualified Saddle Fitter is always the best starting point. When sitting in the saddle there should be four fingers behind the rider – for example between the rider and the back of the cantle, as a general rule of thumb. At the front of the saddle the rider’s knee should not come over the front of the knee roll or flap, this is a sure sign the saddle is too small and not a correct size.
For more information visit www.mastersaddlers.co.uk or contact The Society of Master Saddlers on 01449 711642.
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