Free Tool — WesternSaddles.ai

Saddle Tree Width
Guide

Select your horse's wither shape, answer two quick questions, and get a recommended gullet width. The most important measurement in a remote saddle purchase.

Step 1 — Which best describes your horse's withers?
narrow
High & Narrow
Sharp, blade-like wither. Common in Thoroughbred crosses, some warmbloods.
medium
Medium
Moderate height and width. Most stock horses, Quarter Horse, Paint.
broad
Broad & Flat
Wide, mutton-type withers. Draft crosses, some heavier stock horses.
very narrow
Prominent
Very high, very sharp. Some Arabians, finer Thoroughbreds, lean horses.
rounded
Low & Round
Low, rounded withers with broad top. Heavier breeds, some ranch horses.
well-muscled
Well Muscled
Broad shoulder muscle fills out past the wither. Heavily-built performance horses.

Recommended Gullet Width

Semi-Quarter Horse
Approximately 6.25" gullet width

Send Wither Tracing to David Shop Certified Used Saddles

Buying Remotely? Send a Wither Tracing

A tool recommendation is a starting point. The most reliable way to confirm tree width for a remote saddle purchase is a wither tracing. Bend a flexible wire to follow the exact shape of your horse's withers 2.5 finger-widths behind the shoulder blade, trace it onto paper, and send a photo to David Solum. He can compare it against any saddle in his inventory before the saddle ships.

Contact David Solum →

How to Take a Wither Tracing

gullet width 2–3 finger widths behind shoulder blade trace here
  1. Find the measurement point: Place two fingers behind your horse's shoulder blade. That point — approximately 2.5 finger-widths back from the scapula — is where saddle trees are measured.
  2. Bend your wire: Take a flexible wire (a coat hanger works) and gently bend it over the horse's wither at that measurement point until it matches the contour exactly.
  3. Trace it: Lay the bent wire flat on a piece of paper and trace around it with a pen. Label the tracing with your horse's breed, age, and current condition.
  4. Photograph and send: Take a clear photo of the tracing and send it to David Solum at davidsolumsales@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at (417) 793-1403. He can assess tree compatibility against any saddle in his inventory before you purchase.

A wither tracing eliminates the single greatest risk in buying a saddle remotely — tree mismatch. It takes less than five minutes and costs nothing.

This guide provides general recommendations based on common wither type and breed correlations. Tree width must always be confirmed on the individual horse — breed and wither description alone do not guarantee fit. Always test saddle fit in person when possible. For remote purchases, a wither tracing is the most reliable tool available. Contact David Solum at (417) 793-1403 for personalized guidance.