Page 58 - Libro_MariaA_26agosto

María Alejandra Ramelli

How do I know my saddle fits my horse?

The only way to know if a saddle fits your horse is by trying it on. Your
horse’s saddle size is called the tree size, which is the bottom of the saddle.
To measure the saddle correctly on your horse, you have to place the saddle
without a saddle pad on the back of your horse just behind your horse’s shoul-
ders. Then, you should keep in mind the following list to know if that saddle is
appropriate for your horse (Brooks, 2013).

• Your saddle bars should rest behind
your horse’s shoulder blades.

• Your saddle must never touch your
horse’s spine. You have to make sure
that you have three or four fingers of
wither clearance.

• Your saddle shouldn’t move on your
horse’s back. If you put your hands in
the front of the saddle and push down,
your saddle should never lift up off your horse’s back.

• Your saddle must always fit your
horse’s balance. A saddle that sits too high in
the front puts your legs out in front of you,
and a saddle that sits too low in the front
makes you go too far forwards, and doesn’t
let you have your legs in a good position.

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