| To work out what size Western Bar and Gullet your | | | | The conformation of horses is such that the angle of |
| horse needs, you first need to know a bit about | | | | the bars when joined at the fork or front of the |
| Saddle Tree construction and the general | | | | saddle is different than the angle at the cantle or |
| conformation of your horse. | | | | back of the saddle. This is called the flare. |
| When we discuss Full Quarter Horse Bars, | | | | The really critical measurement however is up front |
| Semi-Quarter Horse Bars and Quarter Horse Bars | | | | where the bars join the fork in the area called the |
| we're talking about a parts of the saddle tree, it's | | | | gullet. The gullet is an opening which makes room for |
| construction and how it all relates to your horse in | | | | the horse's wither. |
| terms of proper fit. You don't have to be an expert | | | | There are two parts of the horse that you do not |
| on all the ins and outs of saddle tree construction to | | | | want to have pressure placed on, the wither and the |
| get a saddle that fits both horse and rider. Still, it's to | | | | spine. |
| your advantage to have a basic understanding as to | | | | The width and height of the gullet must be such that |
| how saddles are constructed. | | | | no pressure will be placed on the wither. |
| When someone talks about bars, gullets and flare, it's | | | | The bars, as they run along the back of the horse |
| helpful to be able to understand what is being talked | | | | are separated at the top by a channel. The channel |
| about. The whole purpose of saddle tree design is to | | | | serves to prevent pressure from being directly |
| address fit to the horse, fit to the rider, and intended | | | | applied to the horse's backbone. The height and |
| purpose. | | | | width of the gullet are measured in inches. |
| Here are some of the basics of saddle tree | | | | Bar Angle and Gullet Widths. |
| construction and the relationship to saddle fit. | | | | Quarter Horse Bars -designed to fit narrower |
| Western Saddle Tree Parts | | | | western horses which were common place up |
| 1. Think of the saddle as having two sides, top and | | | | through the 1960's. These bars have a narrow angle. |
| bottom. The top part is designed to fit the rider, the | | | | Gullet width of 5 3/4"- 6". |
| bottom to fit the horse. | | | | Semi-Quarter Horse Bars-horses got bigger and wider |
| 2. The foundation of the saddle is called the tree. | | | | from the 1970's on, requiring a wider angle in the |
| 3. You can think of the tree as having four main | | | | bars. Semi-quarter horse bars fit most of today's |
| parts, the fork, bars, seat and cantle. | | | | western horses. Gullet width of 6"-6 1/2". |
| You will also find the fork referred to as the swell or | | | | Full Quarter Horse Bars- have even wider angles to |
| pommel. No matter the term, it's the front part of | | | | accommodate wider-bodied horses and horses with |
| the saddle and the cantle is at the rear. | | | | flatter or "Mutton" withers. Gullet width of 6 3/4"- 7". |
| 4. The bars attach to the fork in the front and the | | | | The gullet width should be about the same width of |
| cantle in the back. | | | | the withers, approximately 2" below the top of the |
| The bars are runners whose purpose is to distribute | | | | withers. Just remember, the main thing you need to |
| the weight of the rider evenly over the back of the | | | | know is, is your horse narrow, wide or in-between! |
| horse. To accomplish this, the bars are angled to | | | | Hopefully this has helped clarify saddle fit and gullet |
| come into contact with the horse over as much of | | | | size for Western Saddles. |
| the bar area as possible. | | | | |