SADDLE FITTING AT A GLACE
*It all starts with the tree*
Behind all that leather, tooling, and silver, is the heart of your saddle and what makes your western saddle fit your horse:
The bare tree.
Now, different saddle manufacturers use different tree companies. Some build their own, and typically most get their trees from tree manufacturers. To complicate things even more-those tree companies all build their trees differently. So, in short, one tree makers 45° “SQHB“ could fit like another’s 93° “FQHB or one makers 93° is another’s 40°. They all have different amounts of rock, twist, flare, etc.
It all just changes from maker to maker. There’s no standard unfortunately.
To add: *GULLET MEASUREMENT ON A FINISHED SADDLE MEANS VERY LITTLE*
This is why when I come to fit your horse, not only can I evaluate your horse’s current saddle(s), but I will also fit them with high-quality wood bare trees made by skilled tree makers, that will correlate to different saddle companies or custom saddle makers that build on that particular tree.
From trail, endurance, barrel, cutting, and wade saddles; the possibilities are endless.
I use the word “fitter” loosely, as I work with a few tree companies, hand made tree makers, and saddle makers, rather than particular saddle brands.
I also work with the client to make sure they are well informed about other factors of it. I.e.: saddle placement, rigging type, padding, cinches, etc.
BACK PROFILING
Now, while 90% of horses will fit to at least one of these “stock” trees with no modifications, some don’t.
That is where back profiling comes in. Using a special card system, and taking extensive measurements, I can profile your horses unique back shape and have a true high quality, custom, wood tree hand built for your horses particular body shape from a skilled tree maker. From there you can choose what saddle company or maker you’d like to build your saddle upon that tree.
(You are still able to have a full custom saddle made on a “stock” tree as well)
Heritage Horsemanship LLC 