Horse’s backs have curved anatomy with a peak and a trough. This anatomy is why most saddles are also curved; they are configured to fit the horse’s contours. However, in some rare cases, horses have flat backs, making it difficult to find the right saddle for them. A different kind of phenomenon is a case where a horse’s back is wider than usual. Again, most saddles are configured to fit the wide variety of horses with relatively normal backs. Horses with wide backs would require special considerations. In this post, we’ll be going over those special considerations. In essence, we’ll be guiding you on how to get the best saddle for wide flat backed horse.
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Contents
- 1 Guide to Choosing the Best Saddle for Wide Flat Backed Horse
- 2 15 of the Best Saddle for Wide Flat Backed Horse
- 2.1 Acerugs New Western Horse Barrel Racer Show Saddle
- 2.2 Mustang Soft Ride Saddle
- 2.3 Acerugs Western Parade Show Pleasure Trail
- 2.4 Acerugs Western Leather Tooled Ranching Pleasure Horse Saddle
- 2.5 Acerugs Barrel Racer Western Cordura Horse Saddle
- 2.6 All Purpose Black Leather English Riding Horse Saddle
- 2.7 Tahoe Synthetic Basket Weave Leather Western Saddle
- 2.8 Wintec Semi-quarter Western Saddle
- 2.9 Wintec Western New Generation Contact Saddle
- 2.10 Y&Z Enterprises Premium Leather Western Barrel Racing Horse Saddle
- 2.11 Wintec Full Quarter Western Saddle
- 2.12 Acerugs Premium Eventing Brown Leather Show Jumping Horse Saddle
- 2.13 King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle
- 2.14 Acerugs Black Hand Carved Western Leather Barrel Racing Horse Saddle
- 2.15 Acerugs Premium Brown Leather English All Purpose Close Contact Horse Saddle
- 3 Our Final thoughts on getting the Best Saddle for Wide Backed Horse
Guide to Choosing the Best Saddle for Wide Flat Backed Horse
The best way to select a saddle for your wide flat backed horse is to have one custom made. Even though no two horses have the same dimensions, some measurements are consistent with all of them. There are usually three parts of a saddle that determine whether or not it will fit a horse. They are:
- The Gullet Width
- The Bar Angle
- The Approximate Degrees
The Gullet Width
The Gullet Width is sometimes referred to as the bar spread, and it’s the measurement taken 2 inches below the narrowest part of the gullet. It’s one of the most common measurements because it can be easily taken.
A normal gullet measures about 6.5”. A wide gullet, on the other hand, is 7” wide. Some horses can have a gullet width as wide as 7.5”, but that’s in rare cases.
The Bar Angle
Very often, people don’t measure the bar angle. But, it does need to be as close to the horse’s back as possible. If it’s too tight, it can cause discomfort for the horse. On the other hand, a loose bar angle will throw off the riding experience.
Approximate Degrees
There’s a guideline for determining whether the angles of a saddle are normal, wide, or extra wide. Normal is at 86 degrees, wide is at 90 degrees, and extra-wide is at 94 degrees.
All three parameters are necessary for fitting your horse properly. As we mentioned earlier, most horses have a general range on these things, and they can usually fit into one of a few categories. However, a flat backed horse will have different dimensions altogether. You need to have your horse measured and then request for a custom-made saddle.
Alternatively, you can look at any one of the 15 horse saddles on this list. They are all suitable for wide backed horses, and they may be what need.
15 of the Best Saddle for Wide Flat Backed Horse
The products on this list range from the wide backed variety, with 6” gullets, to very wide varieties, with gullets of about 7”. Again, if your horse requires a saddle with a wider gullet, you’ll have to get one custom made.
Acerugs New Western Horse Barrel Racer Show Saddle
You’re going to see a lot of saddles by Acerugs on this list, and this is the first of them. However, like the rest, this has a lot of fine qualities; things you can expect from a reliable and durable horse saddle. It is made of 100% cowhide leather and it has a hand-painted turquoise inlay.
The other qualities of this saddle include a well-balanced wood and fiberglass tree, a well-padded fleece underside, as well as a very comfortable leather seat. Its gullet is 6.5” wide and 7 ¼” high. The saddle weighs approximately 24 pounds, a relatively average weight for a saddle of this quality.
Mustang Soft Ride Saddle
Furthermore, the Mustang Soft Ride Saddle is very easy to clean. You can simply hose it off and air dry. The saddle is very versatile, and it can fit many horse breeds and dimensions. Additionally, because it’s made of malleable closed-cell foam, it can even fit on side backed horses without pinching or causing the animal pain.
Acerugs Western Parade Show Pleasure Trail
With this saddle, you’re a hat and a pair of boots away from being a classic cowboy. It is made of genuine 100% cowhide leather and it comes in a single color: dark oil. The saddle has a padded seat and its tree is made of fiberglass, making it strong and sturdy.
The Acerugs Western Parade Show Pleasure Trail is a truly beautiful saddle. It will cost you a pretty penny, but it will be worth it! If you’re not already sold on its design and quality makeup, it might interest you to know that it has padded ergonomic stirrups that provide optimum comfort. The saddle has a gullet of 6.5” and a weight of about 24 pounds.
Acerugs Western Leather Tooled Ranching Pleasure Horse Saddle
Here is another classic leather saddle designed by Acerugs. This saddle comes in medium oil, and it has a wood base. It also sports a hard seat, with the headstall, reins, and breast collar included. Like all classic saddles, this one is hand-made and cosmetically fitted for perfection.
Acerugs Western Leather Tooled Ranching Pleasure Horse Saddle has a 7” Gullet, and at 35 pounds, it weighs slightly more than many of the other saddles we’ve considered. The saddle is very durable, and you’ll be glad to know that it has gotten lots and lots of positive customer reviews.
Acerugs Barrel Racer Western Cordura Horse Saddle
Double reinforced fiberglass tree; soft padded suede seat; synthetic; lightweight build. This saddle has got it all. At just 17 pounds, the Acerugs Barrel Racer Western Cordura Horse Saddle is one of the lightest saddles on this list. It is made of a synthetic Cordura material that’s lightweight and easy to fashion into comfortable positions.
Speaking of comfortable positions, this saddle has a thick padded seat for maximum rider comfort. It also has a well-padded synthetic fleece underside for maximum horse comfort. Its gullet is about 7”, making it suitable for some wide back horses.
All Purpose Black Leather English Riding Horse Saddle
The All Purpose Black Leather English Riding Horse Saddle is made of 100% premium leather, and it comes in a single color – black. Like all quality saddles, it is handstitched and made with a high level of precision and attention to detail. It has a stainless-steel finish, adding to its attractive allure.
This horse saddle has a deep glove leather seat and a medium-sized tree (6 ½” Gullet). It was designed for beginner riders, but it is just as suitable for experienced individuals.
Tahoe Synthetic Basket Weave Leather Western Saddle
The Tahoe Synthetic Basket Weave has the narrowest gullet on this list. It measures at 6”, and will only be suitable for a very small range of horses. It sports a beautiful basketweave leather design on its pommel, cantle, fender, skirt, and stirrups.
The seat is made of a comfortable combination of leather and lightweight synthetic material. This saddle weighs about 22 pounds, and it comes in the color brown. Even though it has a relatively narrow gullet, it still fits a wide variety of horse builds.
Wintec Semi-quarter Western Saddle
The Wintec Semi-Quarter Western Saddle is a favorite among equestrians for its simple, minimal and lightweight design. It may not look it, but this saddle is definitely something to be cherished. It has stainless steel Dees, 2” bell stirrups and quick-change stirrup buckles.
The Wintec Semi-Quarter Western Saddle’s body is made out of high-impact plastic, while the seat is made of a microfiber suede that provides extra grip and comfort. It is available in black-brown, and the saddle has a 6 ½” gullet.
Wintec Western New Generation Contact Saddle
This saddle really stays true to the idea of being new generation. Unlike the classic leather saddles, this one is made of a lightweight synthetic material. It also swaps numerous leather straps for fewer, more efficient ones.
The saddle features an Equisuede memory foam padded seat, with a lightweight washable DuraFabric. Not only does it offer comfort for you, but it offers comfort for your horse as well. With a wide 7” Gullet and a comfortable fitting body, and a total weight of approximately 20 pounds, it’s designed for both equine and equestrian.
Y&Z Enterprises Premium Leather Western Barrel Racing Horse Saddle
The Y&Z Enterprises Racing Saddle is made of premium leather, as you might have gathered from the name. But, that’s not what makes this horse saddle worth buying. Everyone who owns a wide backed horse will be glad to know that its gullet measures 7”, the widest available on the market.
This saddle has a hand-carved, soft fleece underside with a beautiful basketweave leather design. The saddle comes with a leather headstall, breast and collar, and reins. The Y&Z Enterprises Racing Saddle is available in brown and it weights about 26 pounds.
Wintec Full Quarter Western Saddle
The manufacturers claim that the Wintec Full Quarter Western Saddle can be ridden in all weather conditions. While this is true, you should still watch the weather before you ride, for the sake of your horse. Besides being weatherproof, this saddle also has hard-wearing equileather fenders and quick-change buckles.
The Wintec Full Quarter Western Saddle also has an equisuede seat that provides comfortable seating and the perfect level of grip. It is very easy to clean, and all you need is soap and water. It is lightweight, with a gullet of 7”.
Acerugs Premium Eventing Brown Leather Show Jumping Horse Saddle
Unlike many of the other Acerugs saddles on this list, this product is not made from 100% leather. However, it is still durable, sturdy and comfortable. It has a nylon girth with heavy-duty buckles and stainless-steel hardware. The saddle has concealed knee rolls, padded flaps, and a medium-deep padded seat.
With a 7” Gullet, it is suitable for horses with wide backs. Additionally, it only weighs about 15 pounds, which is more than comfortable for any horse to carry.
King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle
The only thing better than the simplicity of this saddle is its lightweight build and shock absorption construction. The King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle is so comfortable it is fit for a king. The seat is made of padded and comfortable suede. The stirrups are also padded to ease joint stress.
This saddle’s skirts and fenders are made of scratch-resistant synthetic material, which makes it extra durable. It has a 7” Gullet and only weighs about 14 pounds. Talk about lightweight!
Acerugs Black Hand Carved Western Leather Barrel Racing Horse Saddle
Here is another finely crafted saddle by Acerugs. This one is also made of 100% premium leather. True to the Acerugs reputation, this saddle only comes in one color – black. Besides the leather, its other parts are made of premium materials, like the hand-carved tooling, the well-padded fleece underside, and the well-balanced fiberglass and wood tree.
The seat is padded, providing support to not just your buttocks but your lower back as well. The skirt has a rounded design that is meant to fit most horses. If that isn’t convincing enough, you’ll be glad to know that the Gullet has a 7” dimension, making it suitable for many wide back horses.
Acerugs Premium Brown Leather English All Purpose Close Contact Horse Saddle
This Acerugs saddle has everything you can expect from the Acerugs brand, including a deep padded leather seat, stirrups leather, and fine craftsmanship. In fact, the only thing missing from this saddle is the 100% premium leather tag that accompanies most saddles by this manufacturer.
With a gullet of 6”, it may not be suitable for many wide back horses. However, it still has many of the things you will need from a saddle, like comfort for you and your horse.
Our Final thoughts on getting the Best Saddle for Wide Backed Horse
Being an equestrian is no easy task. There are a lot of things you have to consider, from ensuring your horse has an adequate diet, to looking out for common diseases like thrush and ulcers. Finding the best saddle for wide flat backed horse may only add to the complication for you. However, it doesn’t have to. If your horse’s back has relatively standard wide girth, you will find many of the saddles on this list suitable. For example, the Mustang Soft Ride Saddle is made of very versatile and malleable material. It can fit many kinds of horses. On the other hand, you can also get the Acerugs Western Parade Show Pleasure Trail, or any of the other 7” gullet saddles, if those will fit your horse.