 |
|
|
If
there's one thing I've learned about my Dutch gelding
Jeffery, it's his absolute requirement that he be
comfortable in his work. In pursuit of that
goal, I've recently purchased a Royal Star from Custom
Saddlery. Providing them with the tracings was
easy. I just followed the web page
instructions. Our new saddle helps me be more
effective and fits him perfectly. The artisans
at Custom Saddlery have made a saddle with both the
horse and rider in mind. Thank you so
much.
Eileen Osgood, Norfolk VA
|
|
| Every saddle
should fit regardless of your discipline. At
Custom Saddlery our wide range of styles are
designed to accommodate the countless horse and
rider combinations. In this section, we'll guide
you step-by-step through the fitting
process. Custom Saddlery . . . because every
saddle should fit. The goal of these
measurements is to determine the shape of your
tree and what size gusset we will need to make.
This will ensure that the saddle fits and is
properly balanced on your horse's back.
Tools Needed: flexicurve or curvex (around
24" in length) available at an art or office
supply store., pen, one large piece of paper (file folders work
well). A
fitting kit and video are available at info@mysaddle.com
or Request Information on
this site.
Before starting place your horse on level
ground in cross ties or with a friend holding
your horse with a lead rope.
|
 |
| Step 1
|
|
Find the rearward
end of the horse's shoulder.
About 2 1/2" (three fingers)
behind their shoulder.
|
| |
|
 |
| Step 2
|
|
Make
a line at this point by using
your hand to make a mark in their
coat (or by dipping your fingers
in water and making a line).
|
| This
is the point where the saddle
tree points fit over your horse.
|
|
|
 |
| Step 3
|
|
Make
your first tracing (wither) at
this mark being sure that your
horse is square with his head
straight and up. Mold the
flexicurve to the shape of the
horse's withers being sure it
sits snug on both sides.
|
| |
|
 |
| Step 4
|
|
You
can test the shape by gently
picking up the flexicurve by the
highest point and placing it back
down, if it settles right in you
have a good tracing. Gently
remove the flexicurve (from the
highest point), lay it on a piece
of paper and trace the underside
onto the drawing paper. (Sketch A)
|
| This
determines the shape of your tree
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Step 5
|
|
Next is the
spine / top-line tracing. Important: Starting at the
point where you took the wither tracing (Step 1), lay
the flexicurve on your horse's
spine, molding it to it's shape.
Gently remove and trace the
underside of the flexicurve. The
tracing should be Orientated on
the paper as shown in Sketch B, or on a
diagonal. Try to include as much
as possible.
| This
determines the size of
the saddles gusset which
will allow the saddle to
be properly balanced on
your horse.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Sketch A
|
|
 |
| Sketch B
|
|
 |
| Sketch C
|
|
| Sketch C
illustrates how your tracings
should be orientated on your
drawing paper. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fitting Kit
(Includes video, flexicurve and drawing
paper)
|
|
|
|
|
|
