Question about buying a saddle?

Question

How can you buy a saddle from a tack shop and know its going to fit yourself and your horse?

Answer 1

Hey.

Just measure your horse around the stomach and the withers. And then at the shop find what suits your horse then try the saddle on the fake horse at the shop and see whether its comfortable or not.

Answer 2

most saddle shops have a saddle horse so that u can sit in your saddle and see how u like it and if the stirrups r long enough. As far as fitting your horse saddles are adjustable so most saddles fit all sizes of horses

Answer 3

if you don't no how to fit a saddle please get a saddle fitter to do it for you try to use an independent saddle fitter that way you can take saddles from different shops and find one that fits. in our local area there is a couple of second hand tack shops that will allow you to take as many as you want to try. which is great you just arrange for you fitter to come out and try all the saddles that you have borrowed and hopefully one fits.  please do not fit yourself if you do not no how this can cause so many problem for you and your horse

Answer 4

You need to get an expert to measure your horse. You can usually try the saddle yourself ( by sitting on it ) if you don't know the size of your old one.

Some tack shops you can take your horse along and they will try the saddles on it for you ( I don't know how common this is but our local one will do this)

Answer 5

if you tell the people in the shop the breed, aprox weight and body type of your horse they will be able to help you chose a saddle with the proper gullet or bars for your horse.  Also, most if not all reputible ones give you a day or two to try it on your horse and ride it.  In the shop there should be a saddle horse for you to sit in it on, and see how it feels or where your legs rest.

Most saddles today are made to generic sizes and padding.  the differences between them and your horses back is made up with saddle pads.

Answer 6

Measure your horse's withers and back length.

Answer 7

well you fit yourself there at the shop and they will help you, you kinda come in with an idea of your horses size, either being an english saddle or western. Most tack shops, at least the ones I have dealt with will let you take the saddle overnight to try on your horse and see how it works. Some places require a deposit and others just a drivers license.