Aussie Saddle Fitting

Finding a comfortable saddle placement:

Typically, a saddle will find a natural position that is comfortable to horse and rider. This position is behind the withers with enough room to allow unrestricted shoulder movement. Remember, that an Aussie saddle is designed and built for easier shoulder movement in gaited breeds which makes it more comfortable for "all" breeds.. An Aussie saddle also tends to fit a bit higher and further forward on a horse than your standard Western saddle. To find the optimal position for the saddle, place the saddle up on the withers and, while putting downward pressure on the front of the saddle, move it back on the horse (towards the tail) until it stops. Do this a couple of times and you should see a consistent point at which the saddle seems to fit most naturally. Note: A saddle being placed too far forward or too far back usually results in an uncomfortable and unhappy horse.

Getting the right saddle set:

 After finding the best saddle placement (see "Saddle Placement" above), girth your saddle up. On ground level, with your horse's head up in a riding position, stand away from and to the side of your horse. Visualize a level line running through the saddle. If your saddle is level/parallel with the imaginary line, then it is set! It can simply be that easy.

Please note that this does not necessarily mean that the pommel and cantle are level. As most Aussie saddles are deep-seated, the cantle may be as much as a couple of inches higher than the pommel. Another less accurate way to check levelness of your saddle is to place it on the horse and then mount up. Do you feel tilted forward or backward? As a rider, you want to feel straight in the saddle, well-balanced and controlled. My saddle still isn’t level, now what? If the front of your saddle is too low, your saddle may be too wide. Call your Kate's representative to discuss having the gullet width adjusted or consider purchasing one of our pads designed to correct over-wide saddles. If the front is too high, then your saddle may be too narrow. It is possible that your self-adjusting panels simply need a little time to achieve the proper contour. Your horse is the best judge whether the saddle is too narrow...it will tell you through it's behavior that it is uncomfortable. If narrowness is truly an issue, call your Kate's representative to discuss getting a wider saddle.

Wither clearance:

Aussie saddles are specially designed to clear the withers, allowing for an unimpeded gait. When all other aspects of saddle fit have been met, wither clearance is typically not an issue if using an Aussie saddle. Again, we cannot emphasize enough that the best method of determining saddle fit is by observing your horse and its behavior.

Can the self-forming panels be adjusted?

The panels on better Aussie saddles are filled with a wool/synthetic flocking blend developed through years of riding research. This blend is designed to best conform to your horse's back over time. If, during the initial break-in period, a hard spot occurs or you find irregular wear patterns and it seems to be affecting your horse, simply use an ice pick or awl to break it up. Be careful not to damage the entire panel or change any desirable contours that have already developed.