Boyd R
03-05-2007, 10:51 PM
Ok I am going to give this a try.
Remember though I recomend hiring someone to do this for you and to teach and or show you how this is done and the reasons why.
Secondly along with everthing there is good and bad at every profession so maybe this will help you help yourself.
Also the more horses you practice on even redoing the same horse several times will improve your ability to do this properly.
So first the items you will need are Construction paper, An architects flexible ruler, Pencil, Marker, Post-it dots, 2 inch level, a string with a weight tied to each end.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit018.jpg
Have someone help hold the horse, It is important that they stand square and in riding position. then find the center of the Pocket benind the scalpula. this is where the end of the gullet iron on an english saddle should rest. On a western saddle it will be the front of the tree. if you look on the outside there will be tooling. If someone can help with proper terminology feel free. This is the most critical spot to have correct. So be confident with the center of the pocket. From this point make a mark every 4 inches back and 4 inches down from the spine. This is where the rocker of the saddle should rest on your horse. Higher puts pressure to close and or on the spine. Lower means the saddle is to wide and will rest on the spine.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit001.jpg
Once you have him marked take your flexible rule and form it to the back of the horse check it several times making sure your horse is square and in riding position. Place the ruler on the construction paper and trace. Make sure to right on it which template it is from 1-5, right and left, and mark your 4 inch mark. You can then cut it out being careful to keep in mind that both halfs will be used. Once cut out take the half that would be the saddle side and fit it to the horse to make sure you done it properly. My bet is you will need to remake several before you get it right. The other half will be the half you will place to the saddle for proper fit.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit003.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit006.jpg
Now don;t froget to do the rocker. Start with the pocket and form it to the body in a straight line to the fith mark.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit004.jpg
Next take you level and find the level of his back, using the string with weights you can mark your rocker template.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit002.jpg
Now your Mark you saddle. Find the end of the gullet iron or the center of the end of your tree, Remember it is where the tooling is.
then mark every four inches along the rocker. This is where the Post-it stickies come in handy espesially when saddle shopping. Retailers have issues with you making marks on new saddles. Take you templates and fit them to the saddle. the 4 inch marks should rest on the dots you have laid out. Now this is where you are going to wonder what am I doing wrong I have no spine to measure from. So what is important is that you 4 inch mark on the template rests on the saddle on the lower half of the rocker and does not touch the bottom center of the saddle.
First look at the Rocker fit. If it is not right you can stop and go to the next saddle.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit010.jpg
This pick will show that this saddle is a little narrow
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit009.jpg
This saddle starts in the wither just a little wide but notice it does not touch the withers
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit011.jpg
And here is perfect
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit014.jpg
Once you think you have a good fit saddle double check the level once on the horse again fine the horses level lay the sting over his back at level, proerly place your saddle, find its level and your string should be perfect in line with it. If not you don't want more than 1 inch either side of it.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit007.jpg
I hope this helps.
Remember though I recomend hiring someone to do this for you and to teach and or show you how this is done and the reasons why.
Secondly along with everthing there is good and bad at every profession so maybe this will help you help yourself.
Also the more horses you practice on even redoing the same horse several times will improve your ability to do this properly.
So first the items you will need are Construction paper, An architects flexible ruler, Pencil, Marker, Post-it dots, 2 inch level, a string with a weight tied to each end.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit018.jpg
Have someone help hold the horse, It is important that they stand square and in riding position. then find the center of the Pocket benind the scalpula. this is where the end of the gullet iron on an english saddle should rest. On a western saddle it will be the front of the tree. if you look on the outside there will be tooling. If someone can help with proper terminology feel free. This is the most critical spot to have correct. So be confident with the center of the pocket. From this point make a mark every 4 inches back and 4 inches down from the spine. This is where the rocker of the saddle should rest on your horse. Higher puts pressure to close and or on the spine. Lower means the saddle is to wide and will rest on the spine.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit001.jpg
Once you have him marked take your flexible rule and form it to the back of the horse check it several times making sure your horse is square and in riding position. Place the ruler on the construction paper and trace. Make sure to right on it which template it is from 1-5, right and left, and mark your 4 inch mark. You can then cut it out being careful to keep in mind that both halfs will be used. Once cut out take the half that would be the saddle side and fit it to the horse to make sure you done it properly. My bet is you will need to remake several before you get it right. The other half will be the half you will place to the saddle for proper fit.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit003.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit006.jpg
Now don;t froget to do the rocker. Start with the pocket and form it to the body in a straight line to the fith mark.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit004.jpg
Next take you level and find the level of his back, using the string with weights you can mark your rocker template.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit002.jpg
Now your Mark you saddle. Find the end of the gullet iron or the center of the end of your tree, Remember it is where the tooling is.
then mark every four inches along the rocker. This is where the Post-it stickies come in handy espesially when saddle shopping. Retailers have issues with you making marks on new saddles. Take you templates and fit them to the saddle. the 4 inch marks should rest on the dots you have laid out. Now this is where you are going to wonder what am I doing wrong I have no spine to measure from. So what is important is that you 4 inch mark on the template rests on the saddle on the lower half of the rocker and does not touch the bottom center of the saddle.
First look at the Rocker fit. If it is not right you can stop and go to the next saddle.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit010.jpg
This pick will show that this saddle is a little narrow
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit009.jpg
This saddle starts in the wither just a little wide but notice it does not touch the withers
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit011.jpg
And here is perfect
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit014.jpg
Once you think you have a good fit saddle double check the level once on the horse again fine the horses level lay the sting over his back at level, proerly place your saddle, find its level and your string should be perfect in line with it. If not you don't want more than 1 inch either side of it.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i95/BoydRuss/Saddlefit007.jpg
I hope this helps.