How to Measure a Horse for a Saddle – 4 Easy Tips

How to measure a horse for a saddle… Hmmm… That’s a dilemma for not only first-time riders, but advanced riders. Most riders don’t know how to measure a horse for a saddle.

Now, most likely, you have access to a saddle or own your own saddle already.

But you’re here because you’re thinking about getting a new saddle, or checking to make sure your saddle actually fits your horse.

To achieve either of those ends, you need to know how to measure a horse for a saddle.

A well-fitting saddle is not a luxury but a necessity. You and your horse will have a much better experience when your saddle fits. 

Plus, many behavioral issues can be traced back to an ill-fitting saddle, too, so check your fit before doing anything else about behavioral issues. 

Let’s get started.

How to Measure a Horse for a Saddle: Proper Placement

The western saddle is meant to be positioned right behind the shoulder bone, or scapula, of your horse. Learning the saddle’s proper positioning is crucial to properly learning how to measure a horse for a saddle.

Remember to place the saddle on the horse’s back a little in front of where you want it to end up and pull the saddle back into position so all the hairs are laying in the right direction.

This will help avoid saddle sores. For more diagrams and templates, click here.  

How to Measure a Horse for a Saddle: Sizing for the Rider

Learning how to measure a horse for a saddle is not just about the horse. The saddle has to fit you too!

To determine your saddle size, you’ll need some pieces of information: your height, weight, body shape and your preference for barrel fit. This calculator will take that information and calculate your seat size. 

You can also estimate your saddle seat size by sitting in whatever saddle you are currently riding in. A well-fitting saddle should have room for three fingers between your thigh and the swell. 

Saddle seat size is also a matter of personal preference. You may find you like a snug feel or a little more room to move. You also may want to size up if your legs are hanging off the front of the fenders. It is better to go a little larger than too small. 

If you fall in the average range, you’ll have your choice of a broad variety of different saddles. But if you need a super small saddle, or a childrens size, check out the High Horse Mineral Wells Trail Saddle 6812.

It is highly rated and goes down to a 13.5-inch seat. And if you swing the other way and need a saddle that is larger than typically available, check out the Tucker Saddles Old West Trail Saddle 277 since it goes all the way up to 18.5-inches. 

Part of how to measure a horse for a saddle is making sure the saddle will fit you as well, so make sure not to neglect this aspect in your search. 

How to Measure a Horse for a Saddle: Saddle Fitting Clues

To learn how to measure a horse for a saddle, pay attention to these clues.

Topline

When you look at your horse’s conformation from the side, look at the silhouette of their back. This is their topline. This pattern varies from horse to horse.

This has a pronounced effect on how to measure a horse for a saddle. A horse with a level topline, where the wither and croup are on about the same level is the easiest to fit because the saddle will be balanced between the two. 

If your horse is built “downhill”, aka when the haunches are higher than the withers, you may need extra padding on the withers to bring the saddle into balance. 

If your horse has a swayback or a pronounced dip in between the withers and the haunches, the saddle can “bridge” the two.

This is not good because it puts more pressure on the front and back of the saddle and none on the center when the goal is to spread the weight evenly. This can be common in older horses or those without good conditioning. Use a bridge pad to help your horse be more comfortable.

Back Length

Back length should be taken into consideration for how to measure a horse for a saddle. Horses with shorter than average backs will need a saddle with shorter bars and skirts.

It may be worth your time looking at gaited saddles (although these may have higher than average gullets) or Haflinger saddles since those are made to accommodate horses with shorter backs. 

Current Saddle Fit

If your current saddle is causing pressure points under the front of the saddle, you’ll want to look at the angle and width of the bar spread. If there are sores or white hairs forming, in general, something is not fitted properly. 

Tree Size

The tree is the base on which the rest of the saddle is built. Like its namesake, it holds its form. This structure is usually made out of wood or synthetic material with similar properties.

Since it holds its form, it is important to make sure the tree is properly fitted to your horse’s back. 

How to Measure a Horse for a Saddle: Sizing by Breed and Bar Angle

You need to know the shape of the horse to know how to measure a horse for a saddle. Tree size can typically fall into a few categories based on the type of horse you are looking to fit a saddle to. 

The Bar Angle is not typically considered when sizing a saddle, but it is integral to getting the best fit.

This is because saddle sizes are generalized by the average angle of the back. We have included the approximate degrees for the bar angle of each size. Double-check that these angles correspond to your horse. 

Medium

The Medium tree size will typically fit horses with narrower withers and barrels.

A horse with a more refined body and defined wither will typically fall into the Medium/Regular tree size. These breeds include Arabians, Morgans, Thoroughbreds, Tennessee Walkers, Appendix Quarter Horses and Paso Finos. 

The average Bar Angle for the Medium saddle size is 86 degrees.

Wide

The Wide tree size will typically fit horses with a more round barrel size. These horses have a flatter back and more rounded wither.

Their build is muscular and blocky, with a heavy neck. These breeds include most Quarter Horses, Paints, Mustangs, Rock Mountain Horses and Andalusians. 

The average Bar Angle for the Wide saddle size is 90 degrees.

Extra Wide

The Extra Wide tree size is for the big fellas. These heavy horses will have a broad, flat back and there is not too much of a rise in the wither thanks to all that mass.

These breeds typically include Haflingers, Clydesdales, Fjords, Friesians, Foundation Quarter Horses and Percherons. If your horse is a draft horse, you’ll probably start here. 

The average Bar Angle for the Extra-Wide saddle size is 94 degrees.

Other Factors

If you are doing performance events like barrel racing or are a larger rider, look into saddles with longer bars. This will help spread the pressure out evenly. 

Bar Flare is also important if your horse needs more room to move around the saddle. A prime example would be that gaited horses typically need more Bar Flare. 

In Conclusion

They say seven falls make a rider. 

But we think that learning how to measure a horse for a saddle is a crucial part of becoming a rider and true equestrian. 

So, learn how to measure a horse for a saddle, become a practitioner, and master all aspects of the horse world to truly become a rider! 

By the way, do you own a high-withered horse that’s difficult to fit? You might also find this post helpful – Saddle Fitting High Withered Horses.

Did this post help you learn how to measure a horse for a saddle? Please leave your comments below.