The Importance of Measuring Your Horse for a New Saddle

Buying a new saddle is an big decision. For riders, the saddle is an essential piece of equipment that should last for many years, but incorrectly fitted horse back riding saddles can cause many problems for horse and rider as well as decrease the longevity of the saddle.

Consider a pair of running shoes for an athlete. If their shoes don't fit correctly, rubbing or pinching the feet, or moving around because they are too big, then you would expect this to affect their ability to perform. In the same way, the saddle that we put on a horse's back should fit perfectly.

If you are buying a new horse riding saddle from a saddler then you would expect them to visit your horse and take some measurements of your horse's back to ensure that the saddle supplied is a perfect fit for your horse, however, there are many other places that you can purchase saddles from. There are many websites supplying quality equestrian products and the benefits of the internet allow you to shop around for the best deals easily and at your convenience. If you are considering ordering your saddle online though, it is important that you have accurate measurements of the size and width of horse back riding saddle that you require to avoid having to return the new saddle after it arrives. These measurements can be taken either from an existing saddle that fits the horse well or from the horse directly.

The size of the new horse riding saddle required depends on two factors; the size of the rider and the length of the horse's back. The size is measured on the saddle from the button on the side of the pommel to the middle of the cantle. The saddle should never extend beyond the 18th thoracic vertebrae which is the region of the last rib. If the saddle sits on the lumbar region then this can cause pain and movement problems for your horse. It is also essential that the new saddle is the correct size for the rider. Too small and the rider will be unable to sit down correctly in the saddle, too big and they may find it difficult to sit up straight in the saddle

The width is most important for the horse, and there are many problems that can be caused by a saddle too narrow or too wide. These can range from pain caused by pinching or bruising to muscle and nerve damage from uneven pressure from the saddle and rider. This is the reason why you must know the correct width measurement required for your new horse back riding saddle. This simple task done before buying a new horse riding saddle can save you a lot of time, money and distress later on and is in the end much better for the horse. So before you order your new horse back riding saddle, ensure that you have some accurate measurements of the saddle that you need.

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