Saddle Position

[Sp1cer]

Hi,

I've just recently learned how to tack up although Im forever putting the saddle too far back - I always need to get someone to double check my saddle position and starting to get a bit annoyed at myself for not always getting it right, but I find it difficult to judge.

Im scared that if I mount and ride with the saddle not in the correct position my horse will get annoyed and have a tantrum.

Any help on this is much appreciated.

Pam

[horseygal90]

If you start off by putting it too far forward (so it looks obviously too far forward, not in the correct position) and then slide it back I find it normally goes ok. If you're still not sure, you can check with the girth - It should be just before the start of their leg.

[Peace]

I bet someone else has a better method, but the way I do it is to make a little "tent" with the saddle pad over the point of the withers, then put the saddle on top. It is too far forward at that point, so slide saddle and pad backwards until they stop.

I ride in a western-type endurance saddle, though - but if dim memory serves me correctly, I think this works for english saddles as well?

[aliw]

If you're still not sure, you can check with the girth - It should be just before the start of their leg.

I don't think that's right, because if it is in the right position, just behind their shoulder, the front of the girth should be a couple of inches behind the leg.

[ajhainey]

I'm always afraid of this too - as it seems to be an art not a science! I go for the 'put it on way too far forward and slide back till feels secure' method. Basically keep checking how much 'rocking' I can do in either direction - in the right place a good fitting saddle feels pretty secure even before the girth is done up...Then I check the girth hangs in about the right place (depends on horse size but around 3-4 fingers behind their leg?) and try and feel for the shoulder and make sure the saddle is clear of it....

As a final check step back and take a look at the saddle itself - if it's too far forward it will be tipped well away from the horizontal in the 'seat' bit which is easier to spot than I expected....I've not yet come up with a good check for too far back though so will keep reading this thread for tips :-)

I think with just one horse I'd be ok, but I just get randomly roped in to helping tack up various school horses. If it's just one horse maybe you could take a picture on your phone/camera and keep it with you to compare against :D

aj xx

[horseygal90]

I don't think that's right, because if it is in the right position, just behind their shoulder, the front of the girth should be a couple of inches behind the leg.

Heheh... Sorry! Ali's right, should be a couple of inches behind it. :o

[galadriel]

Find the back of the shoulderblade before you even put the saddle on. Place your hand at the top of the wither, then slide it straight down ultin you run into the rounded, flat bone there. That's the top of the shoulderblade. Now follow it around toward his back, until you find the rear edge of the shoulderblade.

When the saddle is placed right, you should be able to fit 2 fingers between the front edge of the saddle and the back of the shoulderblade.

The girth should go straight down from the saddle; this will usually mean that it sits on the horse's brrel about a hand behind his foreleg. It should not slant forward at all.

If the saddle extends past the horse's last rib, it may be too long. If itm extends back past the horse's hip bone, it IS too long.