Western saddle fitting

[harleydales]

Does anyone use a western saddle? I've been given one to try for Apollo, and Mike thinks it would be cool!!

I'm not sure how to fit it though - I can see there's enough room for his shoulders so that's fine, but how far over the withers should the horn bit sit? Apollo has high withers and if it's where Mike thinks it should be, it presses down on them. I wanted it further back, so it 'sat' comfortably similar to an English saddle, and that gave more wither room, but I thought I was then sitting a bit far back on Apollos spine.

Help!!

[zeldalithgow]

I think they sit a bit further back than you would think, PM Debbie she should be able to help

[jacquidales]

Yes they do sit a bit further back, but if the bars are not the right size, it would press on the wither area. As western saddles are so long, if you have a short backed pony/horse, you are often better with a saddle with rounded skirts so the fitting doesn't impair any vital organs, muscles etc.

Western saddle fitting is an art, just like English, so see if there is a local western fitter. If not I can ive you a couple of numbers were maybe you could ring and ask advice over the phone.

[Debbie]

Or if you can swing it, post some pics of Apollo with the saddle on where you think it should sit. I can take a look and tell you if it looks right or not. Western saddles will sit 'further' back than english ones, and generally look too big, but as Jacqui points out, they can be an absolute nightmare for a short coupled horse (although I've found the round fendered arab or barrel racing saddles to be fine).

Also, most western saddles will have a concho under the swell where the horn sits. Slide the saddle back until this concho sits in the 'pocket' behind the shoulder. This is where the saddle needs to be. Again, if you could snap some pics, it would be a great help....or as Jacqui says, get someone qualified who knows what they're looking at to have a peek. Trust me, if the saddle doesn't fit, your OH may be treated to a bronc display he'd rather not have!

[harleydales]

LOL, the thought of Apollo broncing Mike is NOT a good one!!
Apollo is a LOOONNNGGG horse so should cope with a longer saddle. He is a lean machine too, but has these HUGE withers as high as Snowdon!!
I've got some pics on the camera that we are going to send to his brother in Canada (he has a ranch and of course rides western) so I'll download them and put them on.

Jaqui there's no-one up here who does western fitting, so any numbers of people who could advise over the phone would be great.

Thanks,

[jacquidales]

Where in Scotland are you only I've just thought, there is a QH breeder in the area who might be able to help and a WES instructor also who can at least give a good opinion.

[harleydales]

I'm North of Inverness, about 2 1/2 hours from Perth, 3 1/2 from Edinburgh.

[jacquidales]

Leave it with me Jane, I think I can get you a couple of numbers of people who will at leats be able to talk it through. Have you also read the article on New Rider board about western saddles?

[valerie n scout]

just read this link are western saddles no good for FAT dales ponies, quite fancied myself having a go x Rich, thought i was a nutcase said i would look sad riding round the village like Clint Eastwood on a short fat hairy beastie x

[zeldalithgow]

I think there are some makes/styles that are better than others, the round skirts ones don't interfere with the Dales short backs so much as the square ones.

I don't agree that you would look sad - you'd look great, Prince and Sara looked fab riding western

[charliedales]

Do you have any pics of them zelda , would love to see them. Am getting very interested now, guess what I've been reading!!!

[nars]

I've seen all kinds of ponies and horses in western tack and it usually looks very smart.

Do you know anyone in WES charliedales? that is open to all breeds so you could look at pictures in their magazines and on their websites to give you some idea. My continetal is a round skirt as Nars is short backed. I'll trya nd get pics next week so you can see.

[valerie n scout]

yes piccies and info please x

[zeldalithgow]

Only a few pics and Prince is not looking his best in them, I'll see if I can fidn them and scan them or take a pic of them.

Glad you're enjoying the reading Nic ;D

[mrsp]

I also saw a write up saying western is not good for short back natives and they are just as complicated to fit as a standard saddle...however western saddles designed for arabs are meant to be quite good for dales as the arab can also be barrel bodied and low withered... or so this article said.