How to Measure Your Horse for the Perfect Saddle Fit

A great saddle can make all the difference in barrel racing—but only if it fits your horse properly.

A poor-fitting saddle can cause:

·       Soreness

·       Loss of performance

·       Long-term damage

Let’s break down how to measure your horse for the perfect saddle fit and avoid the problems that come with an uncomfortable setup.

Why Saddle Fit Matters

When your saddle fits well, your horse can:
✔️ Move freely through the shoulders
✔️ Stretch out their stride
✔️ Turn tightly without pinching or pressure

When it doesn’t fit, you’ll notice:

·       Stiffness

·       Uneven turns

·       Behaviour changes like refusing, tail swishing, or head tossing

Quick Steps to Measure Your Horse

1. Check the Wither Clearance

When the saddle is girthed up and you’re sitting in it, there should be 2-3 fingers of clearance between the wither and the saddle’s gullet.

✔️ Too little clearance? The saddle is sitting too low.
✔️ Too much clearance? The saddle may be too wide.

2. Look for Even Contact

The saddle panels should sit evenly along the horse’s back, without tipping forward or rocking.

✔️ Run your hand under the saddle to feel for even pressure.

3. Check the Shoulder Freedom

Your horse’s shoulders should be able to move freely under the saddle without hitting the tree points.

✔️ Watch your horse move—tight shoulders mean the saddle may be too narrow or sitting too far forward.

4. Watch for Bridging

Bridging happens when the front and back of the saddle make contact, but the middle floats.

✔️ A good saddle should sit evenly along the whole back.

Common Saddle Fit Mistakes

❌ Using thick pads to “fix” a poor fit
❌ Ignoring signs of discomfort
❌ Assuming one saddle will fit every horse

The right saddle pad can help, but it can’t make up for a bad fit.

Get Expert Help

At -3H Equine, we strongly recommend working with Wendy Winn.

✔️ Wendy specialises in western saddle fit and biomechanics
✔️ Her clinics are hands-on, practical, and focused on real solutions

👉 Find out more at Wendy’s website: www.winnhorses.org
👉 Or contact us to find out when Wendy is running a clinic near you.

Final Word

Your saddle should support your horse, not fight against them.

When you get the fit right, you’ll see:
✔️ Better movement
✔️ Happier runs
✔️ More consistent performance

👉 Reach out if you’d like help booking a clinic or checking your saddle fit. We’re here to help.