If you find, when you are mounted, that the saddle presses on any part of the withers or spine get off and get you saddle re-fitted by a saddler. While mounted just check that you can fit at least two fingers under the pommel and that the back of the saddle is not on the spine.

Would love to see an article on how to fit a saddle, how do you know if its to narrow/wide, where the saddle should be placed on your horses back, where is too forward/back etc. When is it time to get your saddle re-flocked. Also advise about synthetics and thier moulding teqnique, how should they sit on your horses back so you know the fit is right before it has moulded to you and yours horses shape.

This is a very grey area for alot of people - I had a lesson today and my instructor and she explained alot of things to me including the make up a horses spine and where the best place is to place the saddle, also about the reflex points on their backs I found this very informative and I know alot of people who would appreciate an article like this.

I know when buying a saddle you should get a master saddler to fit it, but its a fact that alot of people buy second hand so would benefit from this.

Yours Lesley

Hi.
I find that certain horses hold their breath when putting on a saddle so you can't fasten it. If this happens. tap their side. If this doesn't work, do it a little harder and they will breath out.

Thank you for showing the photo on raising the leg..I have been riding for years and did not know that..I have rode english saddles and they have pinched my horse behide her leg and made sores..I quit riding the english saddle because I thought that was what made the sore..Thanks to your help I can ride my english saddle again..Thanks

I also would like to know about saddle fitting. I have a senthetic saddle I have used on my horse and it was new from the store. My mare is now showing signs of white spots below the withers. Do you have any information you can print on what I need to do. I am looking for a new saddle but need to figure out where the problem is coming from. Thanks

I know the basic procedure for tacking,but I am starting to ride saddle seat and the are different things to know when taking different types of saddles, I would like to see an article on each basic type of saddle and how to tack

I also have a chestnut gelding that has white hair on his wither sides. I can't have my saddle checked by a saddler as I live in the bush. Is there something that I can use under my saddle to help I thought of a wither riser.

The white hair you have noticed on your gelding are caused by your saddle putting too much pressure in this area , putting a wither riser under your saddle will only compound the problem because the extra bulk will cause this pressure to become greater and make the problem worse.

I found a great site explaining saddle fit and what you need to look for to determine proper fit. Here it is: www.saddlefit.com/report.htm
Best wishes!

Lisa, Have you tried the new inflateable saddle pads? They are designed to take pressure off of any area under the saddle, I think this might help.

Um..i am not from UK but i just have a question....is putting on a engilsh saddle different than puting on a western saddle??

your article was great and it helped me alot
but i was wondering does the elastic side or leather side go on first? and which side does it go on? right or left?

What about trying to saddle a TALL horse? Or just a horse that seems a little higher? All the pictures on this site are Great, but the people in them seem to have a perfect height balance with those horses. I am as New as any New Rider can be to riding and horses in general. I have just recently started lessons, and my horse, though he just a Quarter Horse, seems rather Tall to me. What can I do? I feel like I stretch a bit (not uncomfortably) when brushing his back, putting the bridle on, and even placing on the saddle. (My instructor helps, of course.) Got any tips, or is this a usual feeling when dealing with taller horses? Any kind help is appreciated.

p.s. I would not be able to tell you what "hands" he is, but he seems tall for my 5ft7in height.

Lauren,the elastic side of the girth goes on the left side of the saddle.The other end is hooked on first. This is done because then the elastic side will make it easier to tighten the girth. A tip you should remember after saddleing a horse is to run your fingers under the girth to prevent the horses skin from getting pinched. (P.S write back.)

i have a chestnut cob which i have had a full clip on him this year i use the same saddle which i have regually checked and reflocked, but i have noticed he has stated to grow white hairs all around his saddle area, he doesnt have a bad back and i always wear a padded saddle cloth. he is ridden everyday and does cross country at weekends. it has only started since i have clipped him and is more noticable any suggestions please why this is happening?
please help

I just got a 15 year old paint, previous owner says she is very gentle with kids and rides well, I rode her and had no problems now that I got her home when i goto saddle her she attempts to bite and kick, the saddle I had was a semi quarter horse 15 1/2 very heavy today I went to petsmart and got a a-betta 16inch which is a lot lighter and easy to handle, But my horse still has this behavior, Also is their a sight with pictures on the correct way to tighten the girth I think Im doing something wrong. please email me any suggestions I would appreciate it

I was told that you check the girth is tight enogh by sticking two fingers between the horse and the girth and if you could cross them then it is too loose, but then a friend told me that just fitting two fingers in there meant it was too loose, please help me with this :S

You should be able to *just* fit two fingers in. (but the rules are different for elastic style girths) Also, if your horse holds his breath to prevent the girth being tightened,
DO NOT hit you horse in the stomach/ribs!! I've seen this done, and it's very cruel! walk him around alittle, or do something else briefly to catch him off-guard - works a treat for our horses.