Getting a “template” of a saddle whilst In the shop? (Cremedementhe?)

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Henry02

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So.... random question.... is there any way of measuring/drawing a template of a saddle in the shop, then taking template to my horse and seeing if the saddle may fit?

I don’t need any rude answers thanks, merely wondering. I will be travelling past an excellent little saddlers in a few weeks time who have a range of jump saddles in stock within my budget. They are miles away from my horse, so I want some idea first if the saddle is likely to fit.
 
It‘s a very crude method, but some do it. It will only give you a hint of a rough idea as to whether the saddle might fit.

Take a template off the horse with a flexicurve, trace the outline onto a piece of card, cut out along the outline and take the card template into the shop to hold up against saddles you are interested in.
 
If you take a template of the horse, it is easier to see if it fits and you only have to do one - presuming you are only trying to fit one horse?

Use a flexicurve (stationers sell them) and draw onto stiff cardboard, cut out the 'horse' portion and take that to the shop to see if it fits snugly into the front of the saddle. I take the curve a couple of finger's widths behind the shoulder blade, as that is where the front of the saddle should sit (as in the points should be behind the shoulder, although some jump saddles' flaps go over the shoulder).

That way you can 'try' many saddles with one template.

I would also take photos of the horse's back so the saddler can see, as they may be able to further advise on if the tree should be flat or curved front to back.
 
Depending on how crafty you are but you could do the whole back and make a cardboard template.

Moat templates are as described, across the back, and then the template is held in the front of the saddle to check width.

If you are buying a saddle solely from a template then you need to know shape and width of the back as how the tree fits is essential.

Use the flexi curve to trace the back and this becomes your cardboard spine. Make slots every 2inches in it. Then take templates across the back every 2 inches and put them in the slots. You end up with a very crude 3d model of the back.

Tree fit and angles are every bit as important as the width. Holding a template ar the front of a saddle doesnt give any real indication if it will fit.
 
Dont think you can buy I saddle from a template you need to see how it fits on the horse.. A saddle should fit the horse and the rider. It may give you a good idea of the type of saddles but there are so many variables.
 
Actually - I have also been wondering why there isn’t a more technical solution to saddle fitting.

With modern materials it should be possible to either map the horses back digitally or take a whole ‘mould’ of the back so saddles can be more successfully fitted.

I guess there isn’t the financial desire to do this?
 
canteron said:
Actually - I have also been wondering why there isn’t a more technical solution to saddle fitting.

With modern materials it should be possible to either map the horses back digitally or take a whole ‘mould’ of the back so saddles can be more successfully fitted.

I guess there isn’t the financial desire to do this?
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They are but they are expensive to buy and that cost is passed onto customers so most opt for a more traditional fitting.

The names escape me but there is one version that is a bit like you know that block of metal pins that you put on your face and it holds the shape (great description ??‍♀️?)? Well that in a bigger scale and the reading is taken from each "pin" to then map a back.

Then theres a version that is alike a mechano spider and you calibrate along the spine and across the back to map it that way.

They tend to be used when getting a custom made saddle.

Generally speaking it's cheaper, easier and better overall to get a fitter out and physically try saddles. What appears to fit when static doesnt guarantee it will when a dynamic check is done and vice versa

Current bugbear is the amount of posts on FB with people "wanting a 17" saddle wide for 15.2hh no more than £150" ?? absolutely no idea
 
canteron said:
Actually - I have also been wondering why there isn’t a more technical solution to saddle fitting.

With modern materials it should be possible to either map the horses back digitally or take a whole ‘mould’ of the back so saddles can be more successfully fitted.

I guess there isn’t the financial desire to do this?
Click to expand...

There is the Horseshape and Equiscan. Most saddle fitters I've spoken with haven't been impressed and prefer/get better results with a traditional fitting method.

When I ordered my Iberosattel, the fitter took a mould of sorts with a bendable metal template. No idea if this worked since the saddle won't be here for quite awhile. It should give them a rough idea though. The tree (gullet) is adjustable and the panels are wool, so I suppose we have a bit of room there to adjust.
 
canteron said:
Actually - I have also been wondering why there isn’t a more technical solution to saddle fitting.

With modern materials it should be possible to either map the horses back digitally or take a whole ‘mould’ of the back so saddles can be more successfully fitted.

I guess there isn’t the financial desire to do this?
Click to expand...

As others have said they absolutely exist, I think they're slightly more useful for western saddle fitting. For English, fitting the dynamic back is the best bet, I fit from stock and fit by eye and feel, not a mapping of the back.
 
I’ve mentioned on here before that my (master) saddler will come out and assess horse and rider and then tell us what saddle to look out for. A good saddler should be able to tell you what makes, size, type of tree, etc would suit you and your horse
 
I bought a new saddle and the saddler adjusted it from a template I sent him, I then got my fitter to look at it on when it arrived and it just needed some extra flocking at the back, he was it was almost a perfect fit so I would do it again if I needed to.
 
CanteringCarrot said:
I think taking a template of the horse to the saddles at the shop would be a better method. You can make some tracings with a flexible ruler. Of course you'll only get a rough idea of the static as opposed to dynamic fit.
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I really need to do it in the shop first, as I go past the shop on my way to horse. (Long story but currently working away from home, I drive passed the shop near work, before I get to my horse.)
 
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