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HOW TO MEASURE THE SADDLE SEAT

The most accurate way to measure a saddle is from the point at bottom of the pommel at the front of the seat to where the padding starts
at the cantle, this will give you the actual size for your rear.
Most saddles are measured however to the beginning of the leather on the cantle as shown.

HOW TO MEASURE THE BARS

To measure the width of the "Bars" on a saddle, I will generally use the conchos as a guage across the front of the saddle as shown.
Semi Quarter bars are from 6.5" to 6. 3/4"
Arabian Bars 6.3/4" - 7"
Full Quarter Horse Bars start at 7"
Semi Quarter Bars are said to fit approximately 80 % of the horses.
Arabian Bars are shorter front to back then the Semi Quarter or Full Quarter to fit the shorter backed horses.
Some of the wider breed horses such as Paints, some Arabians, and Morgans may require Full Quarter Horse Bars to accomodate the wider shouldered horse.

HOW TO MEASURE THE SKIRT

The lenght of the skirt is measured front to back as shown on this last saddle.
The length of the skirt is important if you own a short backed horse.
Most of the Arabian saddles measure 26" on the skirt length to accomodate the shorter backed horse.
Many of the National Show Horse bred horses can use up to a 27.5" skirt.
Skirt lengths can go up to 30" and what length is best is dependant upon the horses back length.

HOW SHOULD A SADDLE FIT

The saddle should fit behind the horses shoulder and in front of the horses hip as shown in the photos below.
A saddle that goes further then the point of the hip will generally not be balanced on the horse back and may cause
pain to the horse. You should be able to slide your hand under the saddle behind the horses shoulder and feel the bars of the
saddle fit comfortably on the horses back behind the shoulder blade.

We hope that this information has been helpful to you.
Sincerely,

Cindy Turner, Owne