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w Link: Ortho-Flex: Horse & Rider - How To Measure For Correct Tack Fit.

Saddle Fitting By Appointment

Any Type Saddle

Though I'm certified as a saddle fitter by Ortho-Flex and prefer Ortho-Flex for my horses because Ortho-Flex offers a variety of saddles with flex systems in widths and lengths that will fit most horses without correction in the form of shims or pads, I am also a Port Lewis Saddle Workshop Fitter.

Certainly, I recognize that people have a right to prefer different styles and saddles for their own reasons. Ortho-flex and flex system saddles are not the only option for people who want a saddle that fits their horses.

I have worked with saddles and saddle fitting for years and have traveled all over the country (and abroad) to fit a variety of different horses - all with unique challenges.

Function (sport/discipline) follows form (conformation) and tack must follow both function and form while taking the rider into consideration. We all (should) know that no saddle truly fits even a single horse, much less all horses and changes in conformation often occur twice a year as a result of changes in musculature, weight, and age. I've even seen the condition and angle of the hoof affect saddle fit.

Why is it important that saddles fit correctly?

Horses are a-symmetrical. They have no collar bone that connects the shoulders which are floating in muscle and cartilage and severe painful pressure on those shoulders can certainly affect performance, attitude, and rider safety. Riding in a saddle that doesn't fit properly will affect the useful life of your horse. It will affect his balance and his ability to concentrate. Riding in a saddle that causes a horse pain is animal abuse and is no less significant or bitter than any other form of animal abuse. If your horse's back is sore from the saddle, quit using it immediately. Period! If that means you quit riding, then quit riding. If he had a sprained leg would you ride him? If he turns his head and bites at you when you saddle up, he's doing his best to beg you not to put the saddle on him. His language skills are not vocal and he won't moan or groan. He is begging you in the only way he knows how. If you continue to ride him, he will attempt to make his language more clear for you and may resist moving forward, buck, or even lie down. These signs are not signs that your horse is being difficult, they are signs that you are not listening, or worse, don't care that he is in pain.

How do I evaluate saddle fit?

The first thing I do is to look at your horse's conformation - head to tail and from the top of his head to the bottom of his four hooves. I look in his mouth to evaluate his bite (over- under -normal). Are his teeth a problem? I evaluate his wither size and the length of his back. I examine his feet, as well as, his back, shoulders, and loin. I palpate for sore muscles, feel for scar tissue, and look for hairs on the back, wither and shoulder that show damage. I examine the spine hair and search for lumps and anomalies. I'll determine which is his stronger side. I'll evaluate his feet with respect to balance with shoulders and loin.

Next, I'll examine your bit. This might be the problem or one of the problems. Is his bite normal and does his mouth it allow for comfort in the bit?

Next, I will watch him move on a halter and lunge line without a saddle in both directions at a variety of speeds and in differing sizes of circles. I'll be looking at rhythm, extension, flexion, attitude, and concentration. I'll evaluate how he moves backward, forward and latterly without a saddle. The next time I lunge him, he'll be saddled and I'll look for differences.

But before we saddle him, I'll examine your saddle, girth (cinch), and pad carefully. I'll watch you tack up the horse (no bit) and I'll watch the horse's reaction. I'll check the general placement of the saddle. I'll check the rigging to determine if the girth is interfering with movement or applying pressure incorrectly. I'll check the saddle to determine if it is obviously to narrow, too wide, or too long.

Next, I'll lunge the horse with the saddle to see if there are changes in movement. Again, I will watch him move on a halter and lunge line with the saddle in both directions at a variety of speeds and in differing sizes of circles. I'll be looking at rhythm, extension, flexion, and concentration. I'll evaluate how he moves backward, forward and latterly with the saddle. I determine whether the balance point of the seat is in line with rear hoof propulsion. (Does he place his rear hoof under your seat bone?) I'll evaluate the saddle construction to determine if it interferes with his front or hind movement.

Next, we'll take the saddle and pad off and re-saddle using an impression pad. After tacking up completely, you'll mount and ride for a while. Again moving backward, forward, and latterly under saddle.

When we take the saddle off, with the assistance of the Impression Pad, made from clear flexible vinyl that contains a moldable putty, I can tell you (and show you) with absolute certainty whether trouble spots, such as pressure points and bridging, that will affect your horse's comfort exist.

Why don't I just skip all part up front and just go to the Impression Pad? I don't skip steps. It is important to get everything right. If one hoof is higher than the other causing a raised a shoulder, that could cause an anomaly in the Impression Pad.

What Are Your Options?

I can show you whether the saddle is too long, too short, too narrow, or too wide. I can measure bridging with absolute accuracy. I can also tell you whether the saddle can be made to fit. Sometimes you need to buy a new saddle, but not always. One customer just needed to move the billets and buy a new girth that was more narrow at the elbow! Many times fit can be corrected using shims or a corrector pad which we can have made up for you. Using the measurements taken from the impression pad, we have a correction pad made that will fill the areas that bridge to provide relief, comfortable equalized pressure over the bar.

Using measurements from the impression pad, we can create a corrector pad that will alleviate bridging and pressure points in many saddles. As far as I'm concerned, there is no saddle that can't be helped to fit better by using a correctly made corrector pad. The impression pad provides an exact image of pressure points and fit. The impression pad can be used again and again allowing riders to retest fit when changes to conformation occur as they do with weight gain, age, illness, growth, and exercise. Corrector pads can be easily re-fitted to accommodate changes in weight, musculature, and age.

Saddle fitting assessments are $30 per hour. We do rent Impression Pads. Rental is $30 (per use) plus shipping and handling. The impression pad must be returned within a specific time-frame and in the same condition as shipped, of course. Impression pads are offered for sale, as well. The cost for your own impression pad is $199.

Impression pad before use.

Impression pad after saddle is removed. Dark spot is the horse's coat. The putty has been forced away leaving just the clear pad through which you can see horse hair. Notice how the putty is clumped up due to under the saddle.

After use. Clear spots are saddle pressure points that moved putty.

Measuring horse, rider, and saddle for correct fitting of Ortho-Flex Saddles:

w How to measure horse for correct fit w How to Measure the rider

w Measuring Breast Collars, Girths, Booties and Pads

w How it works! How the panels should fit the withers.

The Ortho-Flex Flexible Saddle System will fit a much wider variety of horse's because our patented flexible panel system flexes in all directions and conforms to the shape of the horse's back. This system also moves with your horse while riding, providing a fit and comfort for your horse equaled by no other saddle.

Sizing for your horse...

No matter which model you choose, Ortho-Flex saddles will fit your horse better than any traditional saddle, due to the flexible panels. Traditional saddles place a non-conforming rigid saddle tree directly on the horse's back, which does not allow the horse to move under the saddle. Even traditional saddles which have been custom fitted to your horse perfectly, still will not move with your horse while riding and the custom fit will no longer be custom as your horse gains or loses weight or ages. A non-fitting traditional saddle is basically a splint that limits your horses movement. Your horse will quickly learn that it cannot extend fully or turn as freely under a traditional saddle. This situation, over time, will only cause pressure points, saddle soreing and a non-cooperative horse. Orthoflex Saddles eliminate this problem, adapting to your horse's shape automatically, though the use of specially designed flexible panels. The Orthoflex Flex Panels bend and flex in all directions with your horses movements. The panels also have a much larger surface area than traditional saddle bars, which spreads the weight of the rider over a larger area and reduces the pounds per square inch transferred to the horse's back. Because the panels adapt to the specific shape of each horse, tracings of your horse's back are not necessary to ensure your Custom Ortho-Flex Saddle will fit great on your horse. Our standard tree with System 2 regular flex panels will fit most standard size horses. The exceptions to our standard tree and regular flex panels are breeds of horse which have extremely short backs, extremely high withers or very wide bodies. If your horse falls into one of these categories, we would recommend a wide tree (1-1/2" wider) for wider horses, System 3 improved flex panels for higher withered horsed and/or a System 6 flex panel system with short tree for shorter backed horses. Tree widths of models are not the same. Some models have wider regular trees than others. However, if the model you select has a more narrow regular tree and if your horse has a very wide and short back you may need a wider (full or wide) tree and shorter flex system. The System 6 flex or System 8XS panel system are both short systems. The Systems 6 & 8XS are 4 inches shorter than our System 2 or 3 and were designed specifically for shorter backed breeds.

For more information on how the flexible panels should look when they fit....

Patented Ortho-Flex Panel Systems:

All systems are an engineered man made material. The shapes are computer aided designs and the different style components are designed to interact differently to accomplish the desired combination of support and flexibility on a variety of back shapes.

Systems designed for regular and long back lengths

System 2 Standard Flex- Multiple layered skirt panels with interacting levels of material. Good for most applications and a normal length back horse except those with severe drop behind the withers. Flexes BI-directionally.

System 3 Improved Flex- Multiple layered panels with interacting levels of material. Good for most applications and a normal length backed horse, except those with severe drop behind the withers. The first and second layer of the system include specially designed "fingers", rather than solid shapes, which allow it to flex tri-directionally to accommodate the shoulder/wither area.

System 8X Extreme Flex- Single layer system panel for closer contact. The system includes specially computer aided designed "fingers", rather than solid shapes, which allow it to flex tri-directionally to accommodate the shoulder/wither area. Use with regular back length, those with severe drop behind the withers, and sway backed.

Systems designed for short back lengths

System 6 Ultra Flex "Short"- Multiple layer material with interacting levels of material. Good for most applications and a short back horse, those with exceptional gait/shoulder movement, and all but severe drop behind the withers. The system includes specially computer aided designed "fingers" on the front and rear end, rather than solid shapes, which allow it to flex tri-directionally to accommodate the shoulder/wither area.

System 8XS Extreme Flex "Short"- A single layer system for closer contact. The system includes specially computer aided design "fingers", rather than solid shapes, which allow it to flex tri-directionally to accommodate the shoulder/wither area better. Use with short back horses and those with severe drops behind the withers.

BI-directional systems flex right-left and front back.

TRI-directional systems flex right-left, front-back, and angular (X, Y, & Z axis)

Sizing the Rider...

Rider Saddle Fit

The Orthoflex panels will ensure your Orthoflex saddle fits your horse. However, in order to provide you with a properly fitting saddle we will need a few of your measurements. These include your Hip size (largest diameter), your inseam length to your ankle bone (inside of leg, not your pants size) and the largest diameter of one of your thighs. We will also need to know if you want a regular, stitchdown, plush or ultra plush seat. The different styles of seat have various amounts of padding which will in effect, increase or decrease a normal seat size. The sizing will also vary depending on the saddle model. We will take your measurements and build you a saddle that fits you as well as it fits your horse.

Measuring The Rider

Directions:
Saddle size will be referenced to hip and thigh measurements. Different saddles will fit the rider differently because of the way the tree is made and the seat construction.

Directions:

Measure your hips, around the largest area. no fudging please ;-)
Measure one thigh, around the largest area.
Select the style of seat you prefer (regular, stitchdown, plush or ultra plush)
Select the Model of Orthoflex saddle. Use the section of the chart directly under the model chosen.
Match your hip and thigh measurements to the chart for the style of seat you selected.
Your matching seat size for the saddle model and seat style you selected will be in the far left column.

Note: If your hips or thighs are in two different seat size groupings, choose the larger of the two seat sizes

Seat Sizing (Length) Chart

Models: Traditional, American Outback, Caliente, Express Lite, Brazos, Cattle Baron, California Slick Fork, Mo Bedda, Patriot, Rancher, Renegade
*Seat Style*	*Regular*		*Stitchdown*		*Plush*		*Ultra Plush*
Seat Size	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh
15"	Up to 42"	Up to 22"	Up to 40"	Up to 22"	Up to 39"	Up to 20"	Up to 38"	Up to 19"
16"	43-45"	23-24"	41-43"	22-23"	40-42"	21-22"	39-41"	20-21"
17"	46-48"	25-26"	44-46"	24-25"	43-45"	23-24"	42-44"	22-23"
18"	49-51"	27-28"	47-49"	26-27"	46-48"	25-26"	45-47"	24-25"
19"	52"& Up	29" & Up	50" & Up	28" & Up	49" & Up	27" & Up	48" & Up	26" & Up
Models: , Lite Lite, Patriot Officer�s Model
*Seat Style*	*Regular*		*Stitchdown*		*Plush*		*Ultra Plush*
Seat Size	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh
15"	Up to 42"		Up to 41.5"		Up to 39.5"		Up to 38.5"
16"	42-45"		41-44"		40-43"		39-42"
17"	46-48"		45-47"		44-46"		43-45"
18"	49-50"		48-49"		47-48"		46-47"
19"	51"& Up		50" & Up		49" & Up		48" & Up
Models: Cyclone, Turn N Burn, Trail Pardner
*Seat Style*	*Regular*		*Stitchdown*		*Plush*		*Ultra Plush*
Seat Size	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh
13"	Up to 35"	Up to 19"	Up to 34"	Up to 18"	Up to 33"	Up to 17"	Up to 32"	Up to 16"
14"	36-39"	20-21"	35-38"	19-20"	34-37"	18-19"	33-36"	17-18"
15"	40-42"	22-23"	39-41"	21-22"	38-40"	20-21"	37-39"	19-20"
16"	43-45"	24-25"	42-44"	23"-24"	41-43"	22-23"	40-42"	21-22"
17"	46-48"	26-27"	45-47"	25"-26"	44-46"	24-25"	43-45"	23-24"
18"	49-51"	28-29"	48-50"	27"-28"	47-49"	26-27"	46-48"	25-26"
19"	52"& Up	30" & Up	51" & Up	29" & Up	50" & Up	28" & Up	49" & Up	27" & Up
Models: Low Dally Roper
*Seat Style*	*Regular*		*Stitchdown*		*Plush*		*Ultra Plush*
Seat Size	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh
14"	Up to 41"	Up to 21"	Up to 40"	Up to 21"	Up to 39"	Up to 20"	Up to 38"	Up to 20"
15"	42-45"	22-26"	41-44"	22-26"	40-43"	21-25"	39-42"	21-25"
16"	46-49"	27-31"	45-48"	27-31"	44-47"	26-30"	43-46"	26-30"
17"	50" & Up	32" & Up	49" & Up	32" & Up	48" & Up	31" & Up	47" & Up	31" & Up
Models: Futurity Cutter, Pro Cutter
*Seat Style*	*Regular*		*Stitchdown*		*Plush*		*Ultra Plush*
Seat Size	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh
15"	Up to 39"	Up to 22"	Up to 39"	Up to 22"	Up to 38"	Up to 21"	Up to 38"	Up to 21"
16"	40-43"	23-24"	40-43"	23-24"	39-42"	22-23"	39-42"	22-23"
17"	44" & Up	25" & Up	44" & Up	25" & Up	43" & Up	24" & Up	43" & Up	24" & Up
Models: Down Under, Equitation, Endurance Cutback. All breeds. If you don't post use size chart below for these models: English Plantation Amigo, Premier, Stitchdown by those who post the trot. Gaited horse owners see size chart for high rise English below.
*Seat Style*	*Regular*		*Stitchdown*		*Plush*		*Ultra Plush*
Seat Size	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh
16-1/2"	Up to 39"	Up to 22"	Up to 38"	Up to 21"	Up to 38"	Up to 20"	Up to 37"	Up to 19"
17-1/2"	40-43"	23-24"	39-43"	22-23"	39-42"	21-22"	38-41"	20-21"
18-1/2"	44-48"	25-26"	44-49"	24-25"	43-46"	23-24"	42-45"	22-23"
19-1/2"	49-52"	27-28"	50-53"	26-27"	47-50"	25-26"	26-49"	24-25"
20-1/2"	53" & Up	29" & Up	54" & Up	28" & Up	51" & Up	27" & Up	50" & Up	26" & Up
Models: Size chart for high rise English on gaited horse. No posting. If you post, use size chart above. Plantation Amigo, Premier, Stitchdown, Spanish Dressage.
*Seat Style*	*Regular*		*Stitchdown*		*Plush*		*Ultra Plush*
Seat Size	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh	Hip	Thigh
16-1/2"	36" & <		Up to 35"	Up to 21"	Up to 34"		Up to 34"
17-1/2"	37-41"		36-40"	22-23"	35-39"		35-39"
18-1/2"	42-48"		41-47"	24-25"	40-46"		40-46"
19-1/2"	49-52"		48-51"	26-27"	47-50"		47-50"
20-1/2"	53" & Up		52" & Up	28" & Up	51" & Up		51" & Up

Girth Measurements:

Western Girths: From about 3" behind the elbow, measure the full circumference of the horse�s chest (over the back of the withers & under the chest). Multiply this length by 40% and round up to the next even size for the "dropped" yoke. For a "Short" Yoke, add 6-8" to this total. Example: Horse measurement is 80" circumference X 40%= sz 32" for "Dropped" or 38-40" for "Short".

English Girths: From about 3" behind the elbow, measure the full circumference of the horse�s chest, over the back of the withers & under the chest. Multiply this length X 40% & round up to the next even size for the "Dropped" Yoke. For a "Short" Yoke, add 6-8" to this total. Example: Measurement is 80" circumference X 40%= sz 32" for "Dropped" Yoke or 38-40" for "Short".

Breast Collar Measurements:

Breast Collars: Measure from front center of horse chest (where the hairlines intersect) to the D Ring on the front of the saddle. If the measurement is 25-32" use a Small; if 27-34" use a Regular. Adjustable straps allow some overlap.

Bridle Measurements:

Bridles: Measure from the corner of the horse�s mouth, up the side of the head and behind the ears, to the nod (center of the top of the head). If distance measured is 19-24" use small; if 21-26" use Medium; if 23-28" use Large. Adjustable features allow some size overlap. If the brow band length (measured side to side over the eyes & below the ears) is 14-15 �" use Small, if 16-17 �" use Medium, if 18-19 �" use Large. If measure for side to nod and brow size conflict, use larger size.

Saddle Pad & Bootie Measurements:

Saddle Pads & Booties: Select a Pad size 2" longer (minimum) than the overall saddle length. See length chart at top of form. Patented Load Leveler has 2 moveable Velcro attached pockets w/3 shims for leveling anywhere on pad. The Booties slip over each skirt, like a sock, and replace the pad. Allows circulation on spine. For the Booties, choose the same length of the skirt (overall length) for the system type you choose.

Contact: Many Blessings
Updated: July 01, 2007
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