This first step will explain saddle fit and what you can do to protect your horse. We’re going to review how you can help your horse and check your own saddles. So lets start the 9 point check by looking at your saddle’s balance.
Tag Archives: Test
Step 2: Wither Clearance
Now lets talk about the wither clearance, a very misunderstood concept. What we all learned in Pony Club, was that our saddles should have 2-3 finger clearance, which was always measured on the withers. Nobody told me that it had to be measured on the side as well.
Step 3: Gullet Channel Width
Channel width is also known as the gullet width. It is important to have no contact on the horse’s spine, which is made up of a middle bone and a couple of small spinal transfers.
Step 4: Full Panel Contact
To test for Full Panel Contact, put your saddle on the horse and place your right hand under the stirrup bar area. Slightly hold your saddle in position with you left hand. Go very slow…
Step 5: Billet Alignment
Now I would like to talk to you about billet alignment. Make sure you place the saddle in the right spot behind the shoulder. Look at your billets, if they hang perpendicular to the ground in the right area, the girth area, you can be sure that your saddle won’t be dragged forward or backward. […]