SADDLE FIT and SEAT SIZING
A wither tracing is not necessary to fit a Bob Marshall Sports Saddle® to your horse. In a treed saddle, oftentimes the shape and pitch (degree) of the saddle BARS is a large equation (and source of frustration) in saddle fit. Since the Sports Saddle® has no bars, this often frustrating portion of saddle fit is non-existent.
The standard pommel on the barrel and trail saddles will accommodate most horses. If you have a particularly wide horse, (like my QH) I suggest a saddle with the endurance pommel. The endurance pommel is slightly wider at the base and allows more room for those wide shouldered horses! It cannot, however, accommodate a horn. The gullet (or pommel) width in the endurance saddle is approximately 7 inches, when measured in the same space that traditional treed saddles are measured. Generous enough for the majority of horses, and STILL comfortable for narrower builds. The barrel and trail saddles are slightly narrower.
In most cases, there is plenty of room for wither clearance. For very high withered horses, the leather under the pommel of the saddle can be "peaked" to allow for extra wither room. If your horse is very high withered, just let me know, and I will be happy to ask for the front of the saddle to be peaked to allow for extra clearance. This IS a custom change, and is subject to the fees/return policies pertaining to custom orders.. Keep in mind that utilization of a Skito pad will also raise the front of the saddle off the withers.
For horses with specific problems, such as dips in their backs, sway back and downhill conformation, use of a Skito pad can help tremendously. We will be happy to work with you to get the right combination of foam for the comfort of you and your horse. For example, the Skito inserts can be triple laminated to varying degrees of thickness from the front of the saddle towards the back. In a downhill conformed horse, the pad will be thicker in front, and graduate down to a lesser thickness near the loin, helping to even the horse and the saddle on his back.
We are also happy to discuss seat sizing with you. Your thigh circumference (see below), present seat size (western) and personal preference as to how you like your saddle to fit are all taken into consideration. Some are more comfortable and secure in a tighter fitting seat, some prefer a larger, roomier seat.
Feel free to contact us any time. We always respond to e-mail as quickly as possible, often within a couple of hours. If you catch us online, we will respond within a few minutes! If you prefer to call, we welcome that as well. If you don't get us live, leave a message and we will be happy to call you back!
Chart of seat sizing.
The chart below is a helpful tool in determining seat size. However, it is just a guide.
| SEAT SIZE | THIGH CIRCUMFERENCE |
| 13 | 16” to 16.5” |
| 13.5 | 17” to 17.5” |
| 14 | 18” to 18.5” |
| 14.5 |
19” to 20” |
| 15 | 20.5” to 21.5 |
| 15.5 | 22” to 23.5” |
| 16 | 24” to 24.5 |
| 16.5 | 25 to 25.5” |
| 17 | 26-26.5" |
| 17.5 | 27-27.5" |
| 18 | 28-28.5" |
How is the seat measured? The seat in a Sports Saddle® is measured differently then western, english or Aussie saddles. Refer to the picture below.
Seat size is measured from the two nearest points of the pommel and the cantle. Take that measurment and add 6". In the saddle above, the two points (see the line) measure 8.5", add 6", for a 14.5" seat.
WARRANTY:
One year warranty on workmanship. 5 year warranty on tree parts.
ENDURANCE MODEL::::::::BARREL RACERS::::::::TRAIL RIDING SADDLES
Recommendations:
- As with all treeless
saddles, we suggest the use of an insert pad, such as the
- For your horse's comfort, always use a mounting block or aid
- For your feet, we
recommend the comfort of
- For barefoot horses,
we highly recommend the
