1
Checking to see if your saddle fits
place it on your horse without a pad and without cinching it.
The tree should be 2 fingers width behind the horse's shoulder.
To help find the correct placement, you can put the saddle on the horse, lightly girth it, walk the horse backwards several steps and then walk the horse forward. In most cases the horse's movement will move the saddle into the correct spot.
Be sure to check both sides of the horse & saddle. The tree may be twisted or warped.
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2
Checking the twist
Slide your hand up & under the front of the saddle. There should be space for your hand to easily fit. If the fit is tight, it will be difficult and uncomfortable for your horse to turn and flex while doing circles.
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3
Checking bar fit
Run your hand up & under the saddle's seat. The bars should rest evenly on the horse's back the length of the saddle.
If there is a space between the saddle and the horse, the saddle is bridging.
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4
checking the rock
Run your hand up & under the rear of the saddle. The tree should rise or lift away from the horse to allow the horse's back, loin and hips room to move.
If it presses down or pinches, it isn't a good fit.
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5
Checking the twist
The twist fits.
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6
Checking the bars
This saddle bridges. You can't tell by looking at the saddle.
Run your hand up under the saddle under the seat. If there is a gap where you can slide your hand in, the saddle is bridging. The saddle should fit along the horse's back.
Bridging causes two pressure points -- at the wither area and over the loins.
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7
checking the rock
The rock is too tight on the mare. The saddle has long skirts and it doesn't fit properly on this horse's back.
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8
The saddle tree's bars
Just a note about the tree in the following pictures. It is broken, that is why it fits on one side of the horse and not on the other.
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9
if the tree bridges
there is room for your hand to fit between the horse and the tree
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10
when a tree fits
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11
the rock fits
the tree curves up a bit and away from the horse.
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12
twist fits
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13
tree too tight
the tree should be at least two finger's width behind the horse's shoulder.
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