Things You'll Need
- Ruler or tape measure
- Saddle rack or stand
Instructions
Place the saddle on a stand. You will gain a more accurate measurement if the saddle is in a position that more closely parallels the way it sits on the horse.
Locate the top of the bars. This is where the gullet, the raised part of the saddle holding the horn, meets the saddle.
Measure the width of the gullet at the top of the bars. This is approximately at the top of the saddle's front conchoes. This measurement will give the type of bars. The commonly accepted measurements as listed in the Western Saddle Guide are a width of 5 3/4 inches for a saddle with regular Quarter Horse bars, a width of 6 inches for semi-Quarter Horse bars, and a width of 6 1/4 to 6 1/2 inches for full Quarter Horse bars. A measurement of 6 3/4 to 7 inches denotes extra wide Quarter Horse bars. A saddle with Arabian bars will also measure 6 1/4 to 6 3/4 inches although the angle will be much flatter than saddles with Quarter Horse bars.