How to Size Ranch Saddles

Saddles date back to the ancient Assyrians, according to Limbrook Livery Stable in Essex, England. The western-style stock saddle that we know today, often referred to as a "cowboy" saddle, was first developed during the Spanish colonial period. It was a modification of the Spanish conquistadores war saddle, or "silla de montar."

One of the key elements when purchasing a stock saddle is ensuring that it fits. This is accomplished by measuring the seat size.

Things You'll Need

  • Western-style stock saddle
  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the gullet of the saddle forks. This is the space in the middle of the front of the saddle. The width of the gullet can help determine what type of tree has been used to build the stock saddle. The gullet should be measured at a point two inches below the narrowest portion of the gullet. The two most popular trees in the U.S. include those built on Full-Quarter Horse Bars (FQHB), now relatively rare, and the Semi-Quarter Horse Bars (SQHB) which is, by far, the most prevalent. The SQHB saddle will feature a gullet that measures between 6.5 and 6.75 inches wide. The FQHB will have a gullet closer to 7-plus inches wide.

      The gullet width is important, because if the gullet is too narrow or too wide for your horse, the bars that make up the foundation of the saddle will pinch the horse.

    • 2

      Determine the angle of the bars and whether it is suitable for your horse's back. There are measuring devices available, but they are expensive and of limited use to anyone other than professional custom saddle-makers. Estimating the angle is simple. A "normal/narrow" back will form an angle, at the spine, of around 86 degrees, while a very wide back, with poor withers, will form an angle greater than 90 degrees. This is often referred to as "mutton-withered," according to Heather Smith Thomas' "The Horse Conformation Handbook." It is an undesirable trait in a performance horse, but may not be an issue if you are interested only in leisurely school riding.

      Most performance horses will fall into the normal/narrow angles outlined. These horses are usually well-served when fitted with a SQHB-built saddle.

    • 3

      Measure the seat length. This is the distance between the base of the forks where they meet the front of the seat, and the cantle, or back of the seat, on a straight horizontal line. Common sizes range from 12-13 inches for children and very small adults, to 17-plus inches for overweight riders. The average adult is well-served with a seat measuring between 15 and 15.5 inches.

    • 4

      Determine the height of your cantle. Cantles can vary from as little as two inches tall on some rodeo saddles to as tall as six inches on working ranch saddles. Rodeo athletes in some events, like tie-down calf roping and ladies' goat-tying, prefer the lower cantle because it allows them to exit the saddle faster, reducing their time. Ranch cowboys on the other hand, prefer a higher cantle for the extra security it provides when they have to ride in rough country or on a rough horse that might buck. Many working ranch cowboys of the "buckaroo" type, in eastern Oregon and northern Nevada, ride with a cantle as high as six inches tall.