Saddle Tree Width: Understanding Narrow Tree Fit

The tree of a saddle is the 'chassis' or 'framework' of the saddle, and it is important to find the right tree size to provide a comfortable riding experience for the rider and to burden the horse as little as possible. The tree size is the distance between the two points of the tree, and it is usually measured in centimetres. A narrow tree on a saddle is one where there is 0 to 0.5 inches of space on either side of a clenched fist placed at the front of the saddle. If the tree is too narrow, the tree points will dig into the trapezius muscles behind the horse's shoulder blade, and the saddle will sit on the withers, pinching nerves in the spinal cord.

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The tree's shape and profile must match the horse's back

The tree of a saddle is the 'chassis' or framework of the saddle. It is imperative that the tree's profile and shape match the horse's back. The tree's purpose is to distribute the rider's weight evenly over the horse's back. If the tree is too narrow, it will perch on the horse's withers, causing the rider to tip towards the cantle and putting too much pressure on the weakest part of the horse's back. If the tree is too wide, the saddle may slip from side to side or twist.

The tree must be a good match in both width and shape. The tree points must fit the angle of the horse's shoulder, and the tree must conform to the width and shape of the horse's body. The tree's profile, or curvature, is an important aspect of its overall shape. The tree's shape and profile must be considered in relation to the horse's back profile and the geometry of its bearing structure. The tree must also fit well at the horse's neck, where the bars run parallel to the wood rails.

The angle of the tree is important for the seat balance of the saddle and will influence the stability and comfort of the rider. The angle of the tree must be adjusted to match the angle of the horse's shoulder. The angle of the tree also determines whether the saddle is narrow or wide. A narrow saddle has an 86-degree angle, a medium or regular saddle has a 90-degree angle, and a wide saddle has a 94-degree angle.

The size of a tree is the distance between the two points of the tree and is measured in centimetres. However, the length of the tree points differs between manufacturers, so it is difficult to compare them. Some manufacturers use designations like narrow, medium, medium-wide, and wide. The tree must be the correct size and shape to distribute the rider's weight effectively and reduce pressure on the horse's back.

Saddle trees come in different widths

The tree of a saddle is the 'chassis' or ''framework' of the saddle and is responsible for distributing the rider's weight evenly over the horse's back. The tree must be a good match in both width and shape for the horse's back. Saddle trees come in different widths, which are measured in centimetres. However, there is no standardisation across brands, so a 32 cm tree from one manufacturer may not fit the same as a 32 cm tree from another. Some manufacturers use designations like narrow, medium, medium-wide, and wide, but these are also not standardised. For example, a medium-wide in one brand may be considered a wide or a medium in another.

The width of the saddle tree is important because if it is too narrow, the tree points will dig into the trapezius muscles behind the horse's shoulder blade. This can lead to irreversible long-term damage, including the buildup of scar tissue on the horse's scapula and chipping away of cartilage and bone. If the tree is too wide, the saddle may sit on the horse's withers, potentially pinching the nerves that run down the spinal cord.

There are a few methods to estimate the width of a saddle tree. One common method is to measure the distance between the D-rings of the saddle, which may or may not correspond with the position of the tree points. Another low-tech method is to clench your fist and put your knuckles up to the front of the saddle. If there is 0 to 0.5 inches of space on either side of your fist, the tree is narrow. If there is 0.5 to 0.75 inches of space, the tree is medium, and if there is more than 1 inch of space, the tree is wide or extra-wide.

The angle of the saddle tree is also important, as it influences the seat balance and stability of the saddle. The angle of a narrow saddle is typically 86 degrees, a medium or regular saddle has a 90-degree angle, and a wide saddle has a 94-degree angle. The angle of the tree should be adjusted to match the angle of the horse's shoulder to ensure a proper fit.

In addition to the width and angle, the overall shape of the saddle tree should also conform to the shape of the horse's back. Different breeds of horses require different tree shapes, not just the same shape in different widths. The profile, or curvature, of the tree is an important aspect of the overall shape. The key to a good fit is understanding the match between the geometry of the tree and the shape of the horse's bearing structure.

The tree's width and angle must be adjusted together

The tree of a saddle is the 'chassis' or ''framework' of the saddle, and it is imperative that the correct profile is selected to mirror the shape of the horse's back. The tree's purpose is to distribute the rider's weight evenly over the horse's back. The tree width and angle must be adjusted together to achieve this.

The width of the saddle tree is the distance between the two points of the tree, usually measured in centimetres. However, there is no standardisation between manufacturers, so a 32 cm tree from one manufacturer will not fit the same as a 32 cm tree from another. Some manufacturers use designations like narrow, medium, medium-wide, and wide, but these are also not standardised. A narrow tree might measure 27 cm from one manufacturer and 30 cm from another.

The angle of the saddle tree influences the seat balance and typically leans either forward or backward. The angle is in tight correlation with the saddle tree size, and different types of horses require different tree shapes. A narrow saddle tree angle with a wide tree width is often used for a horse with a wide barrel and shoulders that are up and back. This is often used for well-trained horses that are ridden regularly.

If the width of the saddle tree is correct but the angle is incorrect, the saddle will not fit the horse. If the saddle tree is too narrow, the tree points will dig into the trapezius muscles behind the shoulder blade. If the tree is too wide, the saddle will sit on the withers, potentially pinching nerves. If the tree is too steep and high in the fore arch, it may perch on narrow, vertical edges at the waist of the tree instead of conforming to the horse's body.

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The tree's angle influences seat balance

The tree of a saddle is the 'chassis' or framework of the saddle, and its shape and profile must match the shape and profile of the horse's back. The tree angle influences the seat balance and can lean either forward or backward. If the tree is too narrow, it will perch on the horse's withers, and tip the rider toward the cantle. This is problematic as it puts too much pressure on the weakest part of the horse's back. The tree points may also dig into the trapezius muscles behind the horse's shoulder blade.

If the tree is too wide, the saddle will also sit on the withers, potentially pinching nerves that run down the spinal cord. The entire saddle may rock or slip from side to side when ridden, or the back half of the saddle may twist to one side. If the tree is too steep and high in the fore arch for a broader, flatter back, the tree may perch on narrow, vertical edges at the waist of the tree, rather than conforming to the horse's body.

The tree angle must be adjusted to match the angle of the horse's shoulder. If the angle is incorrect, the saddle will not fit the horse, and the tree points will drive into the horse's shoulders, causing irreversible long-term damage. This can lead to persistent unsoundness and the premature retirement of the horse.

The width and angle of the tree points are emphasised in the "rules of saddle fitting". However, relying on a single dimension of fit oversimplifies the geometry of the tree shape and often results in a poor outcome. Different horses require different tree shapes, not just the same shape in different widths. The profile, or curvature of the tree, is an important aspect of the overall shape.

The key to a good fit is understanding the match between the geometry of the tree, the shape of the horse's bearing structure, and the basic physics of the back in motion.

The tree's purpose is to distribute the rider's weight

The tree of a saddle is the 'chassis' or ''framework' of the saddle, and its purpose is to distribute the rider's weight as evenly as possible over the horse's back. The tree is the load-bearing structure of the saddle, and its fit is crucial to the comfort of both the rider and the horse. The tree must conform to the horse's back in both width and shape.

The width of a tree is the distance between the two points of the tree, and this is measured in centimetres. The angle of the tree is also important, as it influences the seat balance of the saddle, and typically leans either forward or backward. The angle is closely correlated to the saddle tree size. There are five conventional types of saddle tree sizes: standard, semi-quarter horse, quarter horse, full-quarter horse, and Arabian. The semi-quarter horse saddle tree size measures 6 inches and fits most smaller breeds, while the Arabian is the largest size, measuring between 6.25 and 7.5 inches.

The shape of the tree must also match the shape of the horse's back. A tree that is too narrow will perch on the horse's withers, causing the rider to tip towards the cantle and putting too much pressure on the weakest part of the horse's back. If the tree is too wide, the saddle may rock or slip from side to side when ridden. The tree points must also match the angle of the horse's shoulders; otherwise, the tree points will drive into the horse's shoulders, causing irreversible long-term damage.

It is important to note that different horses require different tree shapes, not just different widths. The profile, or curvature, of the tree is an important aspect of the overall shape. The tree must match the horse's back profile to distribute the rider's weight effectively.

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