Trying a Beautiful Wade Saddle on My Horse!

[@mikerussell1738]

As a ranch hand for over 25 years you nailed it. The fit looks good but it’s the finger test especially for the scapular muscle. You want your horse comfortable for the long ride either working or pleasure. Most people would buy that saddle and deal with the rub injury after the ride or a very angry horse after 30 minutes. Very good info and description for what a good fit looks like. I always say when you buy a horse what saddle and pad did the horse train with and what bit is he comfy with. Either the tack comes with or you have to match size and shape before you get home. So your test for fit should be with your tack and saddlery when you buy and test ride. Too many times we had clients that bought expensive tack and can’t use on the new horse. Very quick what right looks like BUT looks are not the fit. Great job. Thank you from all my horses.

[@bryanmontgomery4050]

Looks good, I’d send it!

[@denniswiebe-qh2fr]

So if you get more width at the scapula, will it not sit down to far in the front? Or be too wide? Whats the perfect fit there?

[@kevinferguson3196]

If I were to make an educated guess, I would say it's bridging. If it isn't bridging, the tightness on the front and back, if all of the tree bars are making even contact, then your saddle will move upwards with each gait. In essence, raising the front and back of the bars, which will then alleviate the pressure at each end of the bars when needed.

[@gregsmith9125]

The Wade saddle is designed to sit low on the horse. You can purchase or find one with a 93 degree front end. This saddle appears to be a 90 degree front. I have two wade saddles one of each so I can fit any horse I might be riding at the time. Good video I like it.

[@123pbfagan]

But a western saddle is designed to sit on a 1”pad

[@michaelschulze6545]

I don't know better than you. Please consider: the saddle has to sit somewhere. So, when you check on this area with your hand, it will be pretty tight. The problem with the pad is irreverent. These are only my thoughts. Besides, the saddle is beautiful.

[@NicoleShoupHorsemanship]

Absolutely it has to sit somewhere! This one did not have an even distribution of pressure in the shoulder area and was rather tight and pinching. Not allowing full shoulder range of motion.

[@charlesabbott5563]

If I were the saddlemaker, I would tell you, you just bought it, never put a saddle that you don't own on a horse without a pad. Next person who looks at it will notice your horses hair on the fleece, and will think the maker is trying to sell them a used saddle as new.

[@NicoleShoupHorsemanship]

@charlesabbott5563 interesting thought as a huge part of fitting a saddle is putting it on without a pad to see the true fit. Also this saddle is well used.

[@davidgregg2778]

Why don't you cinch it up and ride in it to see how your horse works in it ?

[@NicoleShoupHorsemanship]

I did lunge him with it cinched and noticed he struggled to move well 🙂

[@davidgregg2778]

@@NicoleShoupHorsemanship that's good to know . Glad you tried it and that you know your horse .

[@NicoleShoupHorsemanship]

@@davidgregg2778 absolutely!

[@davidgregg2778]

@@NicoleShoupHorsemanship it is a good looking saddle . I wonder what the measurements are in the gullet , height and width ? Seat size ?

[@NicoleShoupHorsemanship]

@@davidgregg2778 ray hunt tree, FQHB, 16 in seat