How to fit a western saddle

Buying a new Western saddle can be confusing – with so much choice available, how do you know which Western saddle brands to avoid?

Buying the wrong western saddle for your horse can be an expensive mistake. A poorly fitted saddle may hurt your horse's back or make your riding experience miserable. Sizing a western saddle will provide you and your horse with the right...

New saddle thoughtfully crafted and available exclusively to Valley Vet Supply customers.

Saddle fit is all about surface area. The closer we can keep the saddle pressure the same the more equal the riders weight will be distributed throughout.

Buying the wrong western saddle for your horse can be an expensive mistake. A poorly fitted saddle may hurt your horse's back or make your riding experience miserable. Sizing a western saddle will provide you and your horse with the right...

Fitting The Rider: This way of fitting the rider is specific to our saddles. Most western saddles have a built-up seat in the front and often require a larger seat size. We discourage oversized seats to keep you forward and … Continue reading →

Learn how to take a wither tracing using the tools and methods of an experienced saddle fitter. Use wither tracings to help fit a saddle or keep records.

How to measure a Western saddle seat. Western saddle seat sizes are easy to measure accurately. See our illustrated photo, and read a tip on how to avoid the most common mistake when measuring the seat in a Western saddle.

How to turn the stirrups on a Western saddle. Most Western riders benefit from "turning" their stirrups. You can easily train your saddle's stirrups to twist outwards from the sides of the horse. Turned stirrups offer a rider easier and safer mounting and dismounting, less strain in their legs while riding, and far greater ease in regaining a lost stirrup while riding.

Find some tips for western saddle fit, including tree spread and angle, fork height, gullet width, levelness, riding position, and sizing.