18th rib in horses and saddles

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Christmas Crumpet

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I'm just interested to know about the 18th rib in horses. I know that saddles shouldn't extend beyond the 18th rib yet from what I've read there are different ways that people measure this.

I understand that you cannot find the rib and then draw a straight line up to the spine and I have found it described as this...

"The length of panel should not extend beyond the horse’s eighteenth rib.

Note that this does not extend vertically and therefore this measurement must be gauged directly underneath the rear of the panel".

So if the saddle isn't to go beyond the 18th rib and if it is measured like it says above, how do you know whether the saddle is too big or not?!!

Sorry for strange question but since having saddle troubles I am determined to learn as much as I can about the whole thing.

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DollyDolls

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I've been told that a good gauge is where the horses' hair (follow directions as if stood on the near side) would go front to back -ie to the right. Where the hair then meets the hair coming from the right to the left that line there is a crude method.
 
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Christmas Crumpet

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I have attached this picture. I assume therefore that the back of the saddle mustn't go further than the 18th rib does at its widest point. Therefore if you feel the 18th rib and follow it to its widest point and then straight up in a vertical line that should show you how far back you can go. So as long as you don't go further than the 18th rib at its widest point you should be ok. Does that sound right?

Spine.jpg
 
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