Benefits of a Properly Fitted Saddle

 As a horse owner, you want to ensure that your equine companion is healthy, happy, and performing at their best. One essential component of your horse's health and comfort is a properly fitted saddle. A poorly fitting saddle can cause a host of problems, from soreness and discomfort to even more serious issues like back pain and lameness. In this blog post, we'll discuss the benefits of a properly fitted saddle and why it's important for your horse's well-being.

Improved Comfort and Performance

A properly fitted saddle is essential for your horse's comfort and well-being. A poorly fitting saddle can cause discomfort, soreness, and even pain, which can affect your horse's performance and quality of life. By contrast, a properly fitted saddle can help your horse move more freely and perform better, whether you're out on the trails or competing in events.

Preventing Injury

In addition to discomfort and poor performance, a poorly fitting saddle can cause more serious issues, such as back pain and lameness. Over time, a poorly fitting saddle can cause long-term damage to your horse's back and other areas, which can lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility. By investing in a properly fitted saddle, you can help prevent these types of injuries and keep your horse healthy and pain-free.

Better Communication and Bonding

A properly fitted saddle can also help improve your communication with your horse and strengthen your bond. When your horse is comfortable and free of pain, they'll be more responsive to your cues and more willing to work with you. This can lead to a stronger partnership between you and your horse, and a more enjoyable riding experience for both of you.

How to Ensure a Properly Fitted Saddle

There are several things to consider when ensuring a properly fitted saddle for your horse. One important factor is the shape and size of your horse's back. A saddle that's too narrow or too wide can cause pressure points and discomfort, while a saddle that's too long or too short can put pressure on the wrong areas. Other factors to consider include the shape of the horse's withers and shoulders, as well as the type of riding you'll be doing.

To ensure a properly fitted saddle, it's important to work with a qualified saddle fitter who can assess your horse's needs and recommend the right type of saddle for your horse. You may also need to make adjustments to the saddle over time as your horse's body changes or as you take on different types of riding.

Conclusion

A properly fitted saddle is essential for your horse's comfort, health, and well-being. By investing in a properly fitted saddle, you can help improve your horse's performance, prevent injuries, and strengthen your bond with your equine companion. Working with a qualified saddle fitter and staying attuned to your horse's needs can help ensure that you have a comfortable and safe riding experience.

The options available to you as a Butet buyer:

1. The Gullet or Arch

The gullet of the Butet saddle can be narrow, standard or wide.

2. The panels

The panels can be wool, foam panels or s-panels. You also have the option to have integrated panels which gives your leg an even closer contact feel.

3. Tree size

The tree size depends both on the horse and the rider. Some horses cannot take a tree size bigger than what their bodies allow. The tree sizes start at 16” incrementing with 0.5” up to 19”.

4. Tree width

The width of your tree is a very important aspect which many saddles do not take into account. The width of a Butet saddle tree will depend on whether the rider is a lady or a man.

5. Seat type

The type of seat which determines the shape of the tree will have an effect on how the saddle fits on your horse. However the type of seat is determined by the riders preferences. Butet saddles comes in 4 different seat types. Flat Seat, Semi-Flat, Semi-deep and deep seat.

6. Flap Size

The Butet flaps can be cut away up to 3cm and lengthened up to 4cm

7. Knee Blocks

The knee blocks on a Butet can be customised according to the amount of support the rider wishes to have. Some riders prefer to have as little as possible restriction and others prefer more support to keep them in the saddle. For this Butet designed 5 different knee blocks which riders can choose from. Small(2cm), Standard(2.5cm), Large(3cm), XLarge(3.5cm), XXLarge(4.5cm).

8. Channel Width

The width of the channel is the distance between the panels of the saddle. Horses who is fine boned is recommended to have a 7cm channel and more bulky horses will have a 9cm channel. A wider channel reduces pressure on the spine and lumbar facet joints.

9. Leather Options

Premium Calf Leather or Premium Grained Leather.

Leather colour can be the original Gold, Cachou or Black.

The tannery which tans the Butet leather is the original tannery since 1986. The premium leather is full flower which ensures that the leather is alive and restores itself when getting scuff marks. The longevity of a Butet saddle is in the promise of quality and consistency.

The grained leather option is advisable for a professional rider, riding 10 horses a day with the same saddle.