Tutorial: How to Order a Saddle at Bad Dog Ranch Saddles

Ordering a saddle ensures the perfect fit for both you and your horse. Follow these steps to gather the necessary information and place your order with Bad Dog Ranch Saddles.

Step 1: Gather Rider Measurements

Accurate body measurements are essential for a comfortable seat. Please prepare the following data:

  • Inseam: Measure from your crotch to the floor.
  • Full Height: Your total standing height.
  • Pant Size: Your usual waist/inseam clothing size.
  • Weight: Your current body weight in pounds.

Step 2: Gather Horse Measurements & Photos

Proper horse fit requires specific tracings and photos.

  • Wither and Back Tracing:
    • Watch the Bad Dog Ranch Saddles YouTube tutorial to learn the correct method for creating a wither and back tracing.
    • Draw this tracing onto paper. Make sure to add the width measurements as shown in the video for the wither tracing.
    • Submit: Send the tracing to Bad Dog Ranch via email or text.
  • Girth Size:
    • We need the approximate weight of your horse, or a precise measurement of the heart girth.
    • How to measure: Wrap a string or horse measuring tape completely around the horse’s heart girth. Start by wrapping it over the top of the withers, then behind both elbows until the string meets.
    • Measure the length of the string in inches and report this number to us.
  • Required Photos:
    • Side View: Take a full-body photo of your horse standing on fairly level ground. Ensure the horse’s head is straight forward and legs are positioned evenly.
    • Top-Down View: Stand at your horse’s hips and take a photo looking directly down on the spine.
  • Health & Condition:
    • Provide your horse’s age and current condition (e.g., weight gain/loss, muscle tone) if known.
Saddle fitting conformation photo of horse standing
horse's back for saddle fitting
The wither of a horse for saddle fitting and evaluating the horse's conformation

Step 3: Consultation & Needs Assessment

Before finalizing the build, discuss your specific situation with us:

  • Style of Riding: Let us know your primary discipline. Even if you have a specific saddle model in mind, we may recommend a better option based on your riding style.
  • Specific Preferences: If you have a particular saddle model you love, tell us.
  • Rider Limitations: Disclose any injuries, physical limitations, or saddle-fitting concerns you have. This is critical for deciding on the best saddle model that accommodates your body safely.
  • Horse Concerns: Mention any known fitting issues your horse has had in the past.

Step 4: Customize Your Build

Select the specific features for your new saddle:

  • Horn Preference: Clearly state whether you want a horn or a no-horn saddle.
  • Leather & Color: Choose your preferred leather type and color.
  • Tack: Choose from saddle pads to breastplates & tack that will work with your saddle.
  • Seat Size: Based on your rider measurements from Step 1.

Step 5: Place Your Order

Once all measurements, photos, and preferences are submitted:

  1. You can purchase directly on line, or have an invoice sent to you.
  2. You’ll then receive a confirmation via email. As well, we will let you know how long it will take to get your order ready.

Step 6: Production & Delivery

  • Saddles are inspected, adjusted, etc in order of saddles on our purchase list.
  • Upon completion, we will send you a tracking number once it is ready to be shipped.
  • We usually ship via courier: UPS or Fed Ex. Occasionally for rural locations, we will ship USPS or Canada Post.
  • Final Check: Inspect the saddle immediately upon receipt to ensure it matches your specifications.

Step 7: Confirming Saddle Fit

  • If you’d like us to check the saddle fit once you have received the saddle, you can do this by sending us photos of the saddle on your horse.
  • Girth the saddle up on your horse. Have your horse stand on level ground, with legs fairly even and head straight forward.
  • Take a photo of your entire horse. As well, you can take a photo standing at your horse’s head and aimed at the shoulder and saddle panel angle.
  • Make sure we can see the clearance of the gullet over the wither.
Side view of a horse under saddle for saddle fitting when purchasing a saddle

Tip: Double-check that your YouTube tracing video is clear and your photos are taken on level ground, as these are the most critical factors for a successful custom fit!

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