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.

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!

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.