Charlotte's Saddlery

Everything For Riding Except the Horse

We specialize in equipment and apparel for the English and Western rider. We also offer saddle fittings, tack repair, monogramming, blanket cleaning and repair, and boot adjustments. Walk into a Charlotte's store expecting to see the usual - Western saddles, English saddles, riding helmets, reins, bits, western chaps, and boots - but finding the unexpected as well-the largest collection of Breyer horses in this part of the country, unique jewelry, home furnishings, and extensive lines of lifestyle sport clothing.

Weatherbeeta Turnout Blankets

English Saddle Fitting

...if your saddle is too far forward and sitting on the shoulder, the saddle will twist from left to right across the spine as each shoulder moves. At the same time, the horse has to lift the saddle, and you and stretch the girth on every stride.

To make sure that the saddle does not go too far back, put your hand next to the whorls which indicate the position of the loins. There should be at least 6" clearance between the back of the saddle and the whorls. Use the width of a hand plus 1" in as a rough guide.

When the saddle is in the correct position, check that the seat of the saddle is horizontal to the ground. If it is tipped backwards, the balance of the saddle throws the rider's weight to the back of the saddle, thus creating undue pressure and bruising in the sacro-iliac region (the loins).

If the pommel is too high (see left), the saddle may be too narrow, and the rider will be riding "uphill". This might also indicate that the saddle is too far forward. If the pommel is too low , either the saddle is too wide, needs reflocking, or the horse needs to build muscle and the front needs padding until it does so.

English saddles should fit behind the shoulder blades (leaving free movement of the shoulders) not "on" the shoulders. There should be a finger's width (see right) between the shoulders and the saddle.

In this position, the saddle should not normally allow more than three fingers' clearance over the wither (see left) when the rider is in the saddle. More than this may indicate a too narrow saddle. If the saddle is tipped forwards and has little room under the pommel, then it needs to be lifted. A reputable saddler should, in this instance, drop out the panel and feather the flock down the knee rolls and along the panel to graduate the flocking and smooth any lumps. A wedge of flock stuffed just in the front of the saddle will only cause discomfort to the horse. » For the entire write-up or for help with Western saddle fitting.