Simple Saddle Check | CommonWealth Saddles

Close up photo of a brown Meyer jump saddle with red welting sitting on a bay horse's back during a saddle fitting appointment.

SIMPLE SADDLE CHECK

Curious about the fit of your current saddle? Great news! There are 5 simple checks that you can easily perform on your own to help determine the general fit of your saddle!

Check 1:

WITHER CLEARANCE

There should be 3 to 4 fingers between the saddle and the spine. To ride in any saddle, you must have a minimum of 2 fingers clearance when you're in the saddle.

Rear view of a brown leather jump saddle with a silver Meyer namplate showing the width between the panels in the gullet channel.

Check 2:

Spinal Clearance

Thumb or index finger on either side of the spine, in the gullet channel, touching the panels and the spine. Is it comfortable for your fingers to have the saddle pressure there? Are the panels soft enough? If it isn’t comfortable for your fingers, it isn’t comfortable for your horse - especially with weight in the saddle.

Right angled rear view of a brown leather saddle on a white stand with a light gray background

Check 3:

Panel Contact

Are the panels and the shape of the tree even in contact throughout the horse’s back? Does your hand run flush at the same speed under the panels, or do you encounter “tight spots” (a sure sign of pressure points)? Evenness is key to comfort! It is important to keep in mind that some horses lift more than others, so having a small amount of “bridging” can be okay occasionally; especially if your horse stands inverted but travels round. This is why it is always important to do both a static (standing) and dynamic (motion) fit!

Front view of a brown leather saddle on a white stand with a light gray background

Check 4:

Tree Points & Panel Pressure

Can you comfortably walk and or trot your horse with your fingers under the panels (only do this on safe horses, and ask your coach for assistance)? Does it hurt? Does it feel too tight? If you don’t think your fingers could stay under the panels for the ride, it’s too tight/narrow in the tree. Alternatively, if it changes drastically as you post the trot, your tree is likely too wide and you’ll see movement in the back of the saddle-also not appropriate.

Brown leather girth with elastic side panels and chrome center carabiner on a white background

Check 5:

GIRTH FIT

Girth fit is just as important as saddle fit! All the pressure you put on your horse’s back is translated to the sternum, so your girth should checked routinely. Girths should be comfortable; our favourite girths are wide to distribute pressure, shaped appropriately to be out of the way, and ALWAYS have double elastics!

Place 1 to 2 fingers under the whole girth while it’s girthed up. Can your fingers stay there or is it too tight? Is the pressure evenly distributed? If not, it may be time to find a new girth!