Sherry Cervi Explains Saddle Fit & Using 'Shims'

3-Time World Champion Barrel Racer Sherry Cervi explains why she uses a "Shim" to adjust the fit of her saddle on her #1 mount, "Stingray". Sherry also explains saddle placement and how to check for even saddle fit and why.
Shim Definition:
A shim is a thin and often tapered or wedged piece of material, used to fill small gaps or spaces between objects.[1] Shims are typically used in order to support, adjust for better fit, or provide a level surface. Shims may also be used as spacers to fill gaps between parts subject to wear.
Shims are available through your closest Classic Equine or Martin Saddlery retailer.
Follow her on Facebook.com/SherryCervi & also remember to check out Stingray's Facebook as well. And for information on Martin Saddles, go to www.martinsaddlery.com or call 888-308-2386

[@user-nu2zq5ds5w]

Way to go discussing the importance of saddle placement behind the shoulder! SO many 'experts' don't even mention this. Would love to see you add a video on the just as important saddle seat placement to NOT extend past the last rib. Thanks for your time and care!

[@46rambo49]

25 years of pure knowledge in 10 minutes, Thank ya ma'am

[@deanjoanostoj781]

Thank you for the informative explanation regarding saddle fit. Finally, a clear and concise video to explain how a saddle should fit a horse that is narrow and high in the withers, and wider in the barrel. I have had issues with saddle fit because of the reasons you stated. I've been researching information regarding saddle fit because I'm in the market for a new saddle. Now I know what to look for in a good fitting saddle, and how to make my mare more comfortable and free up her movement. You have given me peace of mind!

[@rlews1531]

Thank you Ms. Cervi for taking time out of your life to help people. This was very informative. Please try to ignore some of these commenters. You are brave to post anything with all the nasty arm chair critics out there that don't know enough to keep their mouths shut. And for all you perfect people that seem to find criticism in everyone but yourselves, go post your own video if you disgree and explain what and why you disagree and why your method works better. That's what true critics do. Didn't any you jack legs have a mother that mentioned if you don't have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut. Christ...

[@DJ-te7gb]

Hi Sherry, Thank you for explaining this. I've been using those neoprene shims in the front of my saddle for 2 years now to raise up the front as my QH is downhill. I wasn't aware of how it was helping his muscle development, but am thrilled to hear it. He is 16 now and I've been wondering about keeping his top line full as he ages. I also saddle behind his big shoulders and find he moves much better since I started doing that a few years ago.

[@countryfromheadtotoe5155]

I In have recently started riding farther back and added a shim to get rid of my rock in the saddle it rilly has helped thank you

[@jericaspicher9441]

I agree completely!!!! If your horse can't move freely, it can't perform to the best of their ability! :) I have recently started riding with my saddle further back and have noticed a huge difference!!

[@Julia-ce1jl]

Jerica Spicher me too! My mare is longer backed so riding with the saddle back has helped eliminate so many issues we were having

[@sassyrav]

You can make your own shims out of a lot of different products. Jute matting, neoprene, foam. Ive even seen people use folded small towels. There are also different thickness your can try. Like 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" etc

[@louinwy1]

To build the back of the horse you need to often work in a stretching frame. Check out Will Faerber videos on his channel, Art2Ride. He's an English rider, but it can be done Western or English. The principle and technique is the same.

[@xJustInismyBoix]

Love love love this! Thank you!

[@mayac218]

It's not necessarily the front of the saddle that should be behind the shoulder blade but the tree itself. The shirt without the tree is typically okay to have over the shoulder blade but every saddle is different.

[@KP-it6jt]

Great tips! I'll tell my uncle about it and will be using a shim the next time I ride.

[@AnimalLeftist]

Learn to tent your pad. Your mare will thank you. Make sure there's two fingers of gap between the tip of the wither and the pad, before you tighten your cinch. The pad will drop or settle as you ride. That pad was pressed down much harder on her withers than it should have been, for beginning the ride.

[@shannonconnors7132]

Very cool...Never thought about this before. Where do you get shims?

[@channongard4396]

This was very informative, thank you!

[@Tezzysgirl]

Do you think it’s better to have wider bars and shim? My QH is 6.5 approx gullet, but I have a FQHB saddle, Im bringing him back into work and fitting him is driving me nuts

[@lenoremann1032]

what barrel saddle do you recommend for a shorter backed horse with a slightly high whither please. My horse has been tripping or slightly going down on her left front leg going around a barrel when the barrel was to her left. Any idea what might be causing this please - just using a different saddle. Thanks.

[@kayleemccarthy7410]

Your horse tripping might be caused by the horse turning on their front end when you want them to be turning on their back end. I do this by lifting my horse around the barrel and I begin to lift once their tail is next to the barrel. I hope this helps :)

[@BriD]

very helpful

[@ridethestride7314]

major fan of stingray!! my favourite nfr horse! and very, very helpful video, just what I was after :) how tall is stingray?

[@lovebug1126]

I have some white hair forming on the left wither… will a shim help with that fit until I can get a new saddle??

[@leilawitherspoon503]

can anyone tell me what kind of Western saddle pad she is using on her horses in this video ?

[@kayleemccarthy7410]

Leila Witherspoon classic equine felt pads

[@kayleemccarthy7410]

Leila Witherspoon I personally use a pro orthopedic pad I have been using them forever and they are very nice pads and they have a lot of variety

[@MeekaMoo100]

Where do you get your shims from?

[@joannalewis3647]

How do you determine how thick of one you need?

[@joannalewis3647]

I've got a high withered gelding who's built like a barrel everywhere else except he's got the sunk in place behind his wither. I've been considering the biofit but I've never tried one to see if I'd like it first. Would an impact gel with a 1/2" shim work the same as a biofit?

[@joannalewis3647]

Are you on fb? I've got him under a 7.5" and an 1/2" ESP but I've been looking into pads to get me one really good one that'll work for him. He's just such a hard fitter and that "atrophied muscle" like she calls it, if that's what it is, is really prominent with his high wither.

[@TukikoIsolde]

Love her, but common sense and common knowledge says the saddle is suppose to be behind the shoulder blades. Most horses will actually buck if the saddle is on the shoulders.

[@AnimalLeftist]

Yeah, basic pony-club 101. Place saddle on withers, slide back until it stops. Amazing. I rode a horse whose owner didn't know the bridle's browband was about three sizes too small. His crown piece was digging HARD into the backs of his ears. I got him a new one. He loved me, that horse :) Tack fit will always help the horse be more comfortable. It's the least you can do.

[@TukikoIsolde]

AnimalLeftist ouch