What is a 3B saddle?
The 3B Visalia slickfork hails from the Vaqueros of California, Oregon, Idaho and Nevada and uses a traditional style tree of their choice. This 3B Visalia tree has the same narrow seat as our Wades and is popular with cowboys and trail riders alike.
How do I know what kind of tree my saddle is?
Saddle tree size is determined by the angle of the bars of the saddle as they come down from the gullet. The greater the angle of the bars is, the wider the tree. You can make specific measurements by using a device that is specifically designed to measure angles, also known as a protractor.
Can a saddle tree be adjusted?
Saddles with adjustable trees can be modified to maintain an optimal width and clearance over the horse’s withers as necessary. For example, if the horse gains weight and muscle, his saddle tree may become too narrow and pinch his shoulders.
What is considered a wide tree on a saddle?
If there’s 1/2″ to 3/4″ of space on either side of your fist, the saddle is approximately a medium tree. If there’s 0″ to 1/2″ then the tree is narrow; and if there’s more than 1″ of space on either side of your fist, the tree is wide or extra wide.
Can a broken saddle tree be fixed?
You can’t fix a broken tree and most saddlers will not replace them either. Not only is it a very labor-intensive process — figure $800-$900 for the repair) but you would need to have the exact same tree, so if it’s an older saddle you might not be able to even find the right tree.
Is my saddle too narrow?
Look at the angle of the point of the saddle, and look at the angle of the horses shoulder. You should be able to see if the point is following the shape of the horse, or if it is sticking inwards (too narrow), or if it is sticking outwards (too wide). You should be looking at the angle of the POINT, not the panel.
What happens if a saddle is too wide?
When a saddle is too wide in the front, it can sink down over the withers. This takes the saddle out of balance by making the pommel lower than the cantle, which in turn carries more pressure over the front of the tree (at the withers/shoulders) than a saddle with a properly sized tree.
How do you fix a saddle that is too wide?
When a saddle is just a bit too wide all over, using a thick saddle pad can improve the fit. A thicker pad will help to fill in the space between your horse’s back and the saddle, resulting in a snugger, and usually more even fit.
How wide should a saddle gullet be?
A standard gullet measures 7 inches and is the most common measurement found in saddles described as having “full quarter horse bars”. Any gullet that measures larger than 7 inches is considered to be wide.
What does a broken saddle tree look like?
Visualize a line running down the gullet, connecting the center of the pommel or horn with the center of the cantle. If the centerline of the saddle deviates from the straight line, the tree is twisted or broken.
How much does it cost to replace a saddle tree?
If your saddle tree is broken, it can easily cost upwards of $800-$900 to replace it. And that’s if you can cajole the manufacturer into sending your repairperson another saddle tree, or get the manufacturer to replace the saddle tree for you.
What happens if saddle is too narrow?
If the saddle is too narrow, the pommel will be too high at the front throwing the rider’s weight to the rear and putting weight and pressure through the loin area of the horse. The rider will also be unbalanced tipping forward in consequence. The panels (the soft pads under the saddle) will probably also ‘bridge.