World's leading draft horse tack, saddle and equipment supplier offering quality draft and warmblood bits, bridles, halters, saddles, breastcollars, cinches and more. Phone 570-673-5902 EST for expert advice and/or ordering.
 
Fitting A Saddle:
Some tips for checking the fit on your horse:

Set the saddle on your horses back without a saddle pad, but with a clean cloth between the saddle and horse if working with a new saddle. The front of the saddle should rest two to three fingers back from the horse's shoulder blade. You don't want the saddle interfering with his shoulder rotation. If this seems back too far, look at where the girth would be, you should have about 3-5" behind the "elbow" to keep the girth from interfering or rubbing the back of the leg.

Once you've determined position, check the tree fit. The saddle should not "perch" on the horse yet you should be able to get about three-four fingers between the underside of the swells or pommel and the wither before tightening the girth/cincha. More space than that is not a good sign, but continue checking before ruling out the saddle. Before girthing, check with your hand all along the underside of the saddle on the horse's back to determine if there is contact along the entire panel (English saddles) or underside of the tree (Western Saddles). At this same time, before putting a pad under the saddle; try to rock the saddle by holding the cantle in one hand and the swells/pommel in the other. There should be very little up or down movement. Look also at the saddle to see if it looks level as opposed to high in back or high in front. Some styles of saddles will appear high in the back because the cantle is higher such as Dressage or Highback Western saddles, so do not be fooled by "looks"; but few if any saddles will appear high in the front.

If everything has looked well so far, take the saddle off and put a pad on top of the clean cloth, replace the saddle and tighten the cincha or girth up depending on the type of saddle.

As the cincha/girth tightens, the saddle may settle down to two to three fingers over the withers. This is not a bad sign, but watch that the back of the saddle does not "pop up" 3-4". Also, as you tighten the girth/cincha, watch your horse. Look for signs of irritation and discomfort. Tail swishing, ear pinning, biting the air, moving away from you can all be signs that the saddle is pinching the horse. If these occur, you might want to go back a step and look again at how the saddle is sitting on the horse. If all is going well, you should lunge the horse for about 5-10 minutes and watch the movement and attitude. Once the initial "freshness" wears off, the horse should move into frame, with the head at a comfortable level and rounding up into the saddle. A horse that travels high headed, with the back hollowed out under the saddle could be trying to let you know that this is not a comfortable saddle for him. Especially if the animal adds ear pinning and tail swishing opinions to the hollow movement.


 

info@horselovers.com or phone 570-673-5902 EST

Clydesdale Custom Saddle

Hey Shari, "Bootes and I had a great time riding at the Ft. Story beach today. He and I love the new saddle, we get lots of compliments on it. We have ridden for several hours and are both very happy with the saddle fit and look. Thanks so much for all of your hard work helping us get the "perfect" saddle. Tonia"
 
Gypsy Vanner Custom Saddle

"Hi Shari, The saddle looks BEE U TI FUL on Sanibel!!! Sara Lee just ooooed and ahhhhed over how nice it was and very comfortable!! I can't thank you enough for all your help and expertise. We are just thrilled with the craftsmanship of everything we ordered from you. Whenever we need anything else, you will be the first person we contact! Have a great weekend. Judith Anne and Sanibel" Visit her website at www.pegasusplacegypsies.com



 
Click On Picture or Description Below For More Information and/or Ordering
    Description Price
1.   ROPER STYLE "Custom" for Wide-Backed Horses and Drafts
Item No. CD-11
$658.00
$880.00
2.   16" 2-Tone CUSTOM Draft Saddle for WIDE-BACKED HORSES
Item No. CD-6INSTOCK
$685.00
$850.00
3.   16" Chocolate Brown or 17" Black Leather Combo Saddle for "hard to fit", wide backed horses
Item No. CD-4
$550.00
$748.00
4.   Draft Horse Saddle | Custom Made | Haflinger
Item No. CD-6
$749.00
$850.00
5.   Draft Horse Saddle | Custom Made | Haflinger | Mule
Item No. CD-7
$690.00
$856.75
6.   Draft , Warmblood, WIDE Full Quarter Horse Saddle | Custom Made
Item No. CD-1
$658.00
$895.00
7.   King Draft Saddle 15 - 15 1/2" Seat
Item No. SAD-KING
$725.00
$775.00
8.   Cowboy Mounted Shooting Saddle #1
Item No. CMSS1
$1,400.00
$1,850.00
9.   Draft Horse Super Cinch Girth 38" up to 54"
Item No. DH-SC
$24.95
$32.95
10.   Draft Size Super Cinch Inexpensive
Item No. DH-C
$15.00
$25.95
11.   Draft Size Girth Inexpensive
Item No. DHIG
$20.00
$25.95
12.   Latigo Tie Strap for Draft Size Horse
Item No. DHTISTRAP
$20.00
$32.50
13.   Draft Size Off Billet
Item No. DOBILLET
$14.95
$24.95
14.   English Stirrup Leathers in Premium Leather or Biothane
Item No. ENGSL
$12.00
$32.95
15.   Oversized English Bridle Haflinger or Small Draft Horse
Item No. DH-1008
$59.95
$135.00
16.   Draft Horse Curb Strap
Item No. DHCURB
$5.98
$8.25
17.   Draft Horse Size Nylon Curb Chain Assorted Colors
Item No. DH-CC
$6.00
$8.95
18.   Bitless Driving Bridle Headstall for Draft Horses
Item No. DH-BITLESS
$82.00
$114.95
19.   Headstall for Draft Horse | Leather
Item No. DHEAD
$35.00
$52.95
20.   Draft Horse Bridle Nylon Assorted Colors
Item No. DH-NBRIDLE
$39.95
$42.95
21.   Draft Horse Breastcollar w/ Silver Accents Assorted Colors
Item No. DHBC
$19.95
$39.95
22.   Draft Size Nylon Bridle and Breastcollar Set
Item No. DH-NS
$49.95
$69.95
23.   Draft Horse Beta Breaststrap
Item No. DH-BREAST
$49.95
$69.95
24.   Leather Breastcollar for Draft Horse
Item No. DBREAST
$55.00
$76.95
25.   Fancy Show Style Reins with Swarovski Crystals
Item No. WL-SReins
$32.95
$77.50
26.   Leather Split 7' Reins
Item No. DH-R7
$22.50
$29.95
27.   Leather Split 8' Reins
Item No. DH-R8
$22.50
$32.95
28.   Reins by Weaver Leather 8' x 5/8"
Item No. DH-R2
$22.50
$38.00
29.   Draft Horse Reins by Weaver Leather 8' x 1/2"
Item No. DH-R3
$22.50
$34.95
30.   Nylon Adjustable Breakaway Halter for Draft Yearling or Average Horse
Item No. DH-BNH-Y
$19.95
$38.50
31.   Nylon Pastel Halter for 2 Yr. old Draft or Large Horse
Item No. DH-ENPH-2YR
$19.95
$28.50
32.   Nylon Pastel Halter | Average Horse Size | Yearling Draft Horse
Item No. DH-ENPH-Y
$19.95
$28.50
33.   Draft Horse Leather Adjustable Halter
Item No. DH-LH
$56.00
$77.50
34.   Draft Horse Nylon Halter Large Draft
Item No. DH-NHL
$26.00
$36.00
35.   Draft Halter Nylon Inexpensive with Snap
Item No. DHI
$14.00
$17.95
36.   Draft Horse Nylon Pastel Non-Adjustable Halter for 2 YR. Draft or Large Horse
Item No. DH-NPH-2YR
$13.95
$21.00
37.   Draft Horse Nylon Pastel Non-Adjustable Halter for Yearling Draft or Average Horse
Item No. DH-NPH-Y
$13.95
$21.00
38.   Draft Horse White Show Bridle
Item No. DH-SBWL
$82.95
$118.50
39.   Draft Horse White Leather Show Halter | 2 yr old, Yearling, Weanling
Item No. DH-SHWL
$65.00
$96.50
40.   Nylon Show Halter with Swarovski Crystals | Large Horse | 2 yr. old Draft
Item No. NSH-1
$45.95
$69.95
41.   Poly Lead Rope | Solid Brass Snap | Leads
Item No. LR
$9.95
$12.50
42.   Draft Size Shipping Boots
Item No. DH-SB
$34.00
$45.95
43.   Leather Keeper Loop
Item No. KEEPER
$0.55
44.   Hobble Straps for Western Saddles
Item No. HOBBLE
$6.25
$7.75
All prices in US Dollars

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4" Black Steel Curb Bit
Only $19.95
On SALE for only $10.00
Bits are Not Returnable - please be sure you order the correct size
Horsehead Buckle
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5" Sweetwater Curb Bit with Copper Mouth
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Bits are Not Returnable - please be sure you order the correct size
Horsehead on Red Enamel Background
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On SALE for only $9.50

Black Steel 5" Curb Bit
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Bits are Not Returnable - please be sure you order the correct size
Black Beauty | Hardcover Book
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It's Showtime | Hardcover Book
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American Carriages, Sleighs, Sulkies and Carts Book
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Horses Running Free Belt Buckles
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On SALE for only $9.00
Only 6 buckles left
Boot Bracelet, Boot Chain with Conchos BC-70
Only $14.95
On SALE for only $12.00
Spiff Up Those Riding Boots!
 
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Updated 02/24/2012
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