Discover the Right Western Horse Saddle Size for Your Needs: A Comprehensive Guide

Measure the length of the seat:

To do this, measure the distance from the front of the saddle to the back of the cantle (the back of the saddle). To understand all of the different parts we are going to cover in this blog post please read our guide on the parts of a western horse saddle here. 

14" - 16" Double T Western Barrel Saddle #6568

Measure the width of the saddle:

To measure the width of the saddle, measure the distance from the outside of one stirrup bar to the outside of the other stirrup bar.

14" - 16" Double T Western Barrel Saddle #6568

Measure the gullet width:

To measure the gullet width, measure the distance from one side of the gullet (the space between the tree points that allows for the horse's spine) to the other side of the gullet.

The size of the gullet may also depend upon the type of saddle tree that the saddle is made out of. Find out more about the different types of materials used in saddle tree's in our guide here. 

14" - 16" Double T Western Barrel Saddle #6568

Measure the skirt length:

To measure the skirt length, measure the distance from the top of the saddle to the bottom of the skirt (the part of the saddle that hangs down on either side of the horse).

14" - 16" Double T Western Barrel Saddle #6568

Measure the Horn Height:

Measure from the base of the horn, where it attaches to the saddle, to the tip of the horn. This is the length of the horn. Measure the circumference of the horn at its widest point. This is the width of the horn.

The size and type of horn used on a saddle will vary and depend largely on the saddles intended riding purpose. Check out our guide on choosing the correct type of western horse saddle here. 

Measure the Cantle Height: 

Measure the distance from the skirt to the top of the cantle. This is the height of the cantle. The cantle is the back of the saddle, and its size can affect the fit and comfort of the saddle for both the rider and the horse. 

It's important to note that these measurements can vary slightly from saddle to saddle, so it's always a good idea to measure the saddle that you are considering purchasing to ensure that it will be the right size for your horse.

Wondering how much you should pay for a new saddle? Checkout our guide here. 

Quick Guides To Western Saddle Seat Sizing Charts:

How To Measure A Western Saddle By Age

How To Measure A Western Saddle By Weight