Why are horses measured to the withers?

What are the withers of a horse made of?

The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the 3rd through 11th thoracic vertebrae, which are unusually long in this area. Most horses have 18 thoracic vertebrae. The processes at the withers can be more than 30 centimetres (12 in) long.

Where does the word “wither” come from?

Dictionaries suggest that the word may be derived from “widar,” twelfth-century Old High German for “against” or “back.” The Old English dialect, with its close ties to the German language, included the term “wither” more than four centuries ago when horses were commonly used as draft animals.

What does it mean when a horse has no Withers?

Sometimes, a horse may have no withers at all. Low withers are common among American Quarter horses, ponies, and Arabians. Due to its conformation, your horse may have a decreased range of motion compared to those with normal or higher withers. The horse may also have choppy strides, but it can still perform just as well.

What does a mutton withered horse look like?

Also known as mutton-withered horses, this kind of horse has a gradual slope towards its rear and lacks shoulder definition. It may also have a rounder and/or flatter back. Sometimes, a horse may have no withers at all.

How do I measure my bridle?

Measure from E to F under the throat, loose enough to get four fingers under the tape. This is your Throatlash Measurement. Please call the office for assistance or if you are booking a saddle fit we can fit your bridle while we are with you.

How do I order a bridle?

To order a bridle from us please do the following: Remember to take into account any changes needed for the new bridle i.e adding or subtracting 1″ where needed The aim is for the buckles of the cheekpieces, noseband and throatlash to line up with the corner of the horse’s eye

How do I measure my horse’s head?

Before you start measuring your horses head, we recommend using small stickers, pieces of tape, or chalk marks on your horse’s face at the listed Key Measurement Points to insure that you are measuring from the exact same spot each time you take a measurement herunterladen preis.

What is a wither tracing?

A wither tracing is taken by moulding or shaping a piece of soft wire around the horses wither where the front forks of the saddle would fit. With horses that have been ridden for some time, a saddle pouch has normally formed and the tracing should be in the front of that area.

How do you trace a horse’s wither?

A wither tracing is taken by moulding or shaping a piece of soft wire around the horses wither where the front forks of the saddle would fit. With horses that have been ridden for some time, a saddle pouch has normally formed and the tracing should be in the front of that area. This can be drawn on to a piece of A4 paper and faxed or emailed to us.

Can I use a wither tracing to buy a saddle?

A wither tracing of your horse’s wither and back area can help you with saddle fitting. Here’s how to make a wither tracing that you can take with you to buy a saddle. While a tracing won’t ensure that a saddle will fit, it does help you make the first decision: is the saddle worth taking home and trying on the horse.

What do I do if my saddle does not fit?

If your new saddle does not fit, it is money down the drain. A wither tracing is taken by moulding or shaping a piece of soft wire around the horses wither where the front forks of the saddle would fit. With horses that have been ridden for some time, a saddle pouch has normally formed and the tracing should be in the front of that area.

What causes a horse to have a stiff back?

A low back may make a horse more prone to a stiff head and neck carriage and usually causes stiffness in the back and difficulty collecting. A horse with a long back and loin, while often considered a trait associated with smooth gaits, is prone to developing a swayback sooner than average.

Why are the vertebrae of the withers important?

They are an important attachment point for the muscles of the torso. The shoulder rotates freely backward, using the muscles attached to the withers. If the vertebrae of the withers are long, the shoulders have more room to rotate and the stride of the horse is long.

What does it mean for a plant to withered?

Wither (of plants and flowers) is to dry up, shrink, wilt, fade, whether as a natural process or as the result of exposure to excessive heat or drought: Plants withered in the hot sun.

What is a mutton withered saddle pad?

The “mutton withered saddle pad” is a term used by horse trainers to describe the condition of a horse’s back. The horse has lost its natural fat and muscle mass, which leaves the skin very thin and fragile. You have a mutton-withered horse if your horse has a gentle slope toward the back without any shoulder definition.

Why is wither tracing important when buying a saddle?

A wither tracing is very important when buying a new saddle. If your new saddle does not fit, it is money down the drain. A wither tracing is taken by moulding or shaping a piece of soft wire around the horses wither where the front forks of the saddle would fit.

Do all horses have Withers on their backs?

All horses’ backs are not created equal, ranging from the prominent withers of the Thoroughbred to the rounded, mutton withers often seen in Arabians and Quarter Horses. If the saddle you choose has a gullet that is too wide, the saddle will press down on the withers.

Will a Thoroughbred saddle press my Withers?

All horses’ backs are not created equal, ranging from the prominent withers of the Thoroughbred to the rounded, mutton withers often seen in Arabians and Quarter Horses. If the saddle you choose has a gullet that is too wide, the saddle will press down on the withers. If the gullet is too narrow, the saddle will pinch.

How do you trace a horse’s back?

The wire is placed to conform to the horse’s back, then on a piece of paper where it is traced with a black marker. The wire is placed across the withers where each of the gauge arms are positioned in the picture. The final wire is placed along the spine. TRACING THE WITHERS OF THE HORSE IS BOTH EASY — AND NECESSARY.

How do you trace Withers on paper?

For the first tracing of the withers, position the left end of the flexible curve on the side of the paper marked “LEFT.” The top of the curve should be centered, about 1/3 of the way down from the top edge of the paper. Trace the inside edge of the curve onto the paper using the marker.

How do saddle fitters use wither tracings?

Saddle fitters use wither tracings to keep a visual record of your horse’s changes in shape over time. A qualified saddle fitter will keep a file for your horse and use these tracings as a reference for ongoing fitting or flocking adjustments.

How to take a wither tracing on a horse?

How to take a wither tracing 1 Begin by writing the date, your name, and your horse’s name on the tracing paper. … 2 Stand your horse up as square as possible on flat, firm, level ground. … 3 Next, use the masking tape to mark BOTH left and right sides of your horse for the first three tracing areas. … More items…

Do Thoroughbreds need a high wither saddle?

Many Thoroughbreds and other athletic riding types sport high withers that make saddle fitting difficult and require a high wither saddle. On an initial inspection you may assess the withers of a horse and immediately consider a narrow saddle but this is generally a misconception.

What is the size of the wither strap?

Wither Strap = 18″ to 14″ (including snap in measurement) Mini Size: 17” to 14” from center to end of tug strap & the center connecting strap that attaches to your girth is 12” to 18 ½” (not including snap in measurement)

How to choose a saddle for a horse with a wither?

Whether your horse has a shark fin of a wither, a long wither that runs into the saddle area, or just has a bit of shape to its back. Here are some points to consider: The saddle tree (wooden or plastic) must reflect the shape of the horse’s back, higher withers usually require a deeper tree to achieve a good saddle balance.

What does it mean when a horse is called a withered?

This phrase has been around since the 18th century and means a horse that is thin, emaciated or weak. Horse meat with less fat than mutton can be called mutton withered horse when it is still edible but not as succulent The “mutton withered saddle pad” is a term used by horse trainers to describe the condition of a horse’s back.

What determines the shape of a horse’s Withers?

Nevertheless, it is the individual conformation differences in the neck, back, and shoulder areas of each horse that gives rise–or possibly no rise–to the shape of his withers. And because of the various sizes and shapes withers can take, they have always been one of the biggest challenges in fitting the saddle to the horse.