HOW TO MEASURE AN ENGLISH SADDLE

SEAT SIZE

This measurement pertains to the rider. To get the seat size of an English saddle you will measure from the middle of the nail/button by the pommel (front of saddle) to the center of the cantle (back of the seat).  In the US this measurement will be in inches, abroad it will be in centimeters. 

1cm = 0.39 inches

TREE SIZE

The most common method of tree measurement is to measure the space between the bottom of the tree points.  This measurement is normally given in centimeters. 

The tree points are the prongs that come off the front of the saddle's tree. You can find these points by lifting the flap of your saddle and looking up toward the top and in front of the billet straps. The points will be in a leather pocket which is then tied to the saddle panels.  If you press your fingers down the pocket you will be able to  feel where the point ends.      

It is from the bottom of that point where you will measure the point spread from one side of the saddle to the other. Your measurement will span across the front of the saddle.  You must translate the bottom of that point to the front of the saddle so that you can measure across the front of the saddle. I take a strait edge and use it as a guide to mark that spot on the front of the saddle.  I will then use my fingernail to make a slight indent in that spot on the welting in the front of the saddle.  A rub with some saddle cream or oil will take it out after the saddle is measured.     

Do this on both sides and measure across the front of the saddle from mark to mark.  Some dressmakers measuring tapes will have centimeters on one side and inches on the other, making this measurement easier.  If you don't have one of available. Take the inch measurement and then divide it by .39, this will give you the centimeters.

Example:  12.5 ÷ .39 = 32.05 cms   

This method is not an exact science, because saddles have different point lengths. A saddle with short points that measures 32cms will be wider then a saddle that has long points and measures 32 cms.  

GULLET WIDTH

The gullet is the channel that runs the length of the saddle, between the panels, and bridges the horses spine.  It is commonly mistaken for tree width. It is a wholly different and additional measurement to the tree.

The gullet width will vary along its length, that is why it is not ideal to measure it from the front of the saddle only.  Both saddles shown have fairly uniform gullets, but you will find saddles with gullets wide in the front of the saddle and very narrow towards the back. I prefer to take measurement from the front center and rear of the gullet. This will give an idea of the deviations the gullet may make in width when a picture or the actual saddle is not available for inspection.