Do Tucker trees run wide?

Question

I use a Crates semi QH tree now on my mare who, I consider, normal withered; not high/low or "mutton". It fits her beautifully. But I want a lighter trail saddle to use for longer rides (still keeping my Crates). I like the plantation saddles. Any advice?

Answer 1

I sell Tucker saddles at the tack store where I work part time.

Tucker saddles have a wider variety of tree widths than most other brands.  The trees are also made more for gaited horses as they are twisted slightly different and a bit flared on the front to allow for more shoulder movement.

The planatation saddles are more like english than western.

I suggest going to a place that carries many saddles to sit in them and try them out.  Remember, Tucker's come in half-size seats due to the gel and cushion in the seats - for example, if you ride a 16" saddle, you'll need a 16 1/2" seat in a Tucker.

Here's something that's worked well for us at our store.  We also sell Weatherbeeta brands of saddles - the Wintec, Bates, etc. which have available adjustable gullets.  The jullet guage that comes seperately or with a set of changeable gullets is a very good guage for the tucker saddles.

Find someone with a gullet guage - we "rent" them out at the store, you give us a deposit and when the guage is returned, you get your money back - so if you're responsible, the guage costs you nothing to use.

Use the gullet guage as indicated.  It sits on the withers right where the saddle pins are (the conchos in front of the skirt, immediately under the pommel is held by a long s***w that goes into the tree of the saddle - this is what we term the "pin").  There's an indicator on the guage that will show what area of the guage should lay flat on the withers.  The guage closes like a pair of scissors, so when you place it properly it shows whether a narrow, medium narrow, medium, medium wide, etc size gullet is needed.

From this method, we've been pretty good at figuring the proper size tree needed.

However, I always suggest if you're fanatic about the fit of the saddle and it must be perfect, bring your horse and saddle pad in and we'll fit the saddle to the horse to ensure what you get is right - if we have the right tree, but wrong seat size or model/color of saddle, at least we get the tree right to order the proper thing for you.

Typically, if a semi-QH bar tree fits your horse, a medium tree on a Tucker will be a good close fit.

Where are you located?  Do you know your local Tucker dealer?