How to Fit an Australian Saddle

Don’t try to fit your horse for an Australian saddle until they are fully grown. Remember that just because a horse has reached its full height does not mean that it has finished broadening. Most breeds, like quarter horses and Arabians are finished growing by the time they turn five. Some breeds, like warmbloods, don’t stop growing until they are well into their sixth year of life. The saddle that fit your horse at three years old isn’t going to fit the same way one or two years down the road.

Straighten a wire coat hanger. Wrap some duct tape around the ends. The duct tape will blunt the ends and prevent the wire from jabbing your horse’s skin.

Bend the wire coat hanger across you horse's withers. This method is called tracing the withers. After making the tracing, keep the coat hanger somewhere that it won’t get bumped and lose the bend.

Take the coat hanger to your local tack shop and tuck it under the tree of their selection of Australian saddles until you find one that matches. This is the saddle that will fit your horse.

Put a saddle pad on your horse. Cover the saddle pad with a clean towel. This will prevent the underside of your Australian saddle from getting dirty while you determine if it fits you and your horse.

Look at the way the Australian saddle sits on your horse. If it is tipped slightly to the side you will want to insert one of the wedges that are designed to be used with this type of saddle.

Once your saddle is level on your horse's back, mount and make sure that the saddle is comfortable to ride in.