Proper Fit With Gaited Horse Saddles For Sale
Proper saddle fit is important for the comfort of both the horse and the rider. Horses having a smooth, ambling gait tend to be narrow in the chest with wide shoulders and high withers. Gaited horse saddles for sale are designed to fit this unique physique with a compact design allowing maximum freedom of movement of the shoulders and hips.
The mechanics of the "gait" are such that 1 foot is always on the ground. There's no jarring or drop as there is when riding at a trot. Breeds that naturally gait are the Walkaloosa, Tennessee Walker, Florida Cracker, Saddlebred, Missouri Fox Trotter, and the Rocky Mountain, to name just a few.
A good fitting saddle conforms to the animals back. The saddle tree should sit behind, not over the scapula. The saddle should distribute the riders weight, keeping it off the animal's spine. If in doubt, consult with your vet or trainer to be sure the saddle fits.
The rider should also be comfortable and well balanced. A comfortable rider not constantly shifting in the saddle will be a more comfortable rider for the horse. If only ridden on weekends, the saddle and rider should be no more that 25% of the animal's weight. The placement and length of stirrups are factors in a good fit. Women are usually most comfortable with a broad twist, men with a moderate twist.
Any horse with wide shoulders or a high withers might be best fitted with a gaited horse saddle. Different makers size their saddles differently. Choosing a saddle is a lot like fitting a pair of shoes. Place the saddle across the horse's back without any padding. Examine the fit from every angle. There shouldn't be gaps along the spine or withers. Don't fix a poorly fitted saddle by adding extra padding. The saddle will shift, making for an unsafe and uncomfortable ride. Adding extra padding is like wearing extra socks to make an oversized pair of shoes fit your feet.
Some features unique to these saddles are wider gullets with bars and twist angled to accommodate the longer shoulder reach and stride. Gullets are often higher so the withers won't be pinched. Smaller skirts keep the weight off the weaker portion of the back. Stirrups are hung in an equitation position to keep the riders weight more centered. They can be designed for English or Western trail riding.
Don't wait until pressure sores develop to replace a poorly fitted saddle. Be on the look out for white hairs under the saddle area, uneven muscling, and uneven sweat patterns. Slow response to leg and rein cues, a swishing tail, and a low head position are signs of discomfort. Behavior problems like nipping, dancing, resisting saddling and mounting can be your horse's way of telling you the saddle doesn't fit.
Many online web sites offer saddle fitting advice. Many will send forms so owners can determine what tree will be the correct fit. Check the return of exchange policies. If you're confident about what you want, many online sites offer used saddles for sale. Local tack stores may also have gaited horse saddles for sale, offer custom design and modifications, and help with fitting.
The mechanics of the "gait" are such that 1 foot is always on the ground. There's no jarring or drop as there is when riding at a trot. Breeds that naturally gait are the Walkaloosa, Tennessee Walker, Florida Cracker, Saddlebred, Missouri Fox Trotter, and the Rocky Mountain, to name just a few.
A good fitting saddle conforms to the animals back. The saddle tree should sit behind, not over the scapula. The saddle should distribute the riders weight, keeping it off the animal's spine. If in doubt, consult with your vet or trainer to be sure the saddle fits.
The rider should also be comfortable and well balanced. A comfortable rider not constantly shifting in the saddle will be a more comfortable rider for the horse. If only ridden on weekends, the saddle and rider should be no more that 25% of the animal's weight. The placement and length of stirrups are factors in a good fit. Women are usually most comfortable with a broad twist, men with a moderate twist.
Any horse with wide shoulders or a high withers might be best fitted with a gaited horse saddle. Different makers size their saddles differently. Choosing a saddle is a lot like fitting a pair of shoes. Place the saddle across the horse's back without any padding. Examine the fit from every angle. There shouldn't be gaps along the spine or withers. Don't fix a poorly fitted saddle by adding extra padding. The saddle will shift, making for an unsafe and uncomfortable ride. Adding extra padding is like wearing extra socks to make an oversized pair of shoes fit your feet.
Some features unique to these saddles are wider gullets with bars and twist angled to accommodate the longer shoulder reach and stride. Gullets are often higher so the withers won't be pinched. Smaller skirts keep the weight off the weaker portion of the back. Stirrups are hung in an equitation position to keep the riders weight more centered. They can be designed for English or Western trail riding.
Don't wait until pressure sores develop to replace a poorly fitted saddle. Be on the look out for white hairs under the saddle area, uneven muscling, and uneven sweat patterns. Slow response to leg and rein cues, a swishing tail, and a low head position are signs of discomfort. Behavior problems like nipping, dancing, resisting saddling and mounting can be your horse's way of telling you the saddle doesn't fit.
Many online web sites offer saddle fitting advice. Many will send forms so owners can determine what tree will be the correct fit. Check the return of exchange policies. If you're confident about what you want, many online sites offer used saddles for sale. Local tack stores may also have gaited horse saddles for sale, offer custom design and modifications, and help with fitting.
About the Author:
Check out www.freedomsaddle.com for a review of the benefits of purchasing horse saddles online, today. You can also view our selection of gaited horse saddles for sale at http://www.freedomsaddle.com now.
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