Parts of the Saddle:

Parts of the Tree:

This horse is a 25 year old gelding that has been used primarily in English and dressage lessens.

The amount of white hairs is very evident on this same gelding along his topline.  This was caused from poorly fitting English saddles that didn’t allow for proper clearance.

I obviously used a western saddle tree to show the problems with fitting this horse.  The bars are way too flat and allow no room for this horses shoulders.

Different tree, same horse but more visible issues on fitting in the shoulder.

See the shadowing under the bars?  These are all pictures of what a BRIDGE looks like.

The bars had NO contact thru the center of the bars.

This is what a bridge looks like from the side. Imagine the pressure points it’s creating! OUCH!

STEP 1:

With the flat of your hand, check for shoulder clearance!  You  need to be able to ‘sweep your  hand’ all the way down to the rigging.

STEP 2:

Continue your sweep all the way  down to the rigging.  You may need to hold onto the back of the saddle to keep from it sliding back.

STEP 3:

Please note how high my hand is under the saddle!  You must reach up to the bars or you will only be checking leather!  You are looking for feeling for even pressure  from about the swells to the cantle with the shoulders and backside of the saddle more free of contact.

STEP 4:

Continue moving your hands the length of the saddle/bars.  The backside should lift off sufficiently for the hips to move up and under the tree.

THESE ARE FITTING BASICS!  IF YOUR SADDLE FAILS THIS INSPECTION, IT IS NOT FITTING AND YOU SHOULD START LOOKING FOR A NEW  SADDLE!

POINTING TO THE BARS

People often confuse the leather skirting as the bars of the saddle.  They are clearly defined in the fleecing if you flip your saddle over.  You must reach up high to determine the pressure or lack thereof under the bars and against your horse’s back.  The tree is the distributor of weight on your horse and must exhibit equal pressure throughout the length of the bars.

Pro-Tech 1/2″ Felt 1/4″ ThinLine =3/4″ Protection

1/2 inch of Western  Wool Felt with 1/4 inch ThinLine = 3/4 inch Protection for your Horses Back.

1/2 inch under your leg means you get all the protection and lose none of the feel!

• This is a performance-enhancing product guaranteed to make your horses go better and make  backs more comfortable. Ropers often shim at the shoulder for additional impact protection.
• This pad eliminates pitch, roll and yaw of the saddle.
• ThinLine pads provide the most comfort, protection, and shock absorption for you and your horse.
• ThinLine products will assist in saddle fit and are no slip.

We guarantee The Pro-Tech Protects your horses back and Improves performance.

Pro-Tech Western: 1/2 inch felt and 1/4 inch ThinLine gives you maximum protection in a minimum pad

• Thin enough to use Pro-Tech under your show pad
• Adjust Saddle fit in seconds with easy to use ThinLine Shims
• Shim for added protection or for better sadle fit: Inserts: Front, Rear or Bridging (to correct sway backs)

This is our best western pad.  Endorsed by Saddlers, Vets, Trainers, Riders and Surgeons.  This product will deliver great performance, comfort and fit for you and your horse.

Dr. Jim Warson, author of The Rider’s Pain Free Back, had this to say about the Pro-Tech western pad:

” ThinLine, this is the most perfect Western pad I have ever used. The immediate impression is one of absolute unity of contact, something rarely felt in a Western saddle. The contact is fabulous, the support and cushioning are marvelous, and it feels like the pad and saddle work truly as a unit and are literally one with the horse. I actually tried to generate micromotions between horse, pad, and saddle, and was unable to do so. At a lope, there was absolutely no pitch, something all too common in heavier saddles. This pad is clearly the very best thing ever made for the human back (and horses’ back) in the saddle.”

PRICES:

• Saddle Pad:  $220
• Shims (please specify front, center or back): $20 per set
• Shipping on the pad is $15

Made In the USA. Better Tack makes Better Horses.  Western Wool Felt and ThinLIne.

Kari Augustine of www.smartstartstable.com riding GF Raushana+/, Canada Champion 3 X Top Trail Horse in The Freedom Saddle by Meleta Brown.

Article re-posted with permission from Cordia Pearson. Original article can be seen at “Saddling the Arab“.

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