Finding the perfect English saddle for your Quarter Horse is a bit different from just grabbing the first comfortable seat you see at the tack store. Thanks to their unique build – broad backs, low withers, and powerful hindquarters – Quarter Horses need saddles that really fit their frame.
If you’re new to the world of English riding with these amazing horses, or you’ve had frustrating moments with saddle fit in the past, you’re not alone. I’ll walk through my top tips and picks to help you get a saddle that your Quarter Horse (and your own backside) will appreciate.
Just a friendly disclaimer for transparency sake. This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
Why English Saddles Are Tricky for Quarter Horses
Quarter Horses, famous for their strength and versatility, are built differently from most breeds that English saddles were originally designed for. Their backs tend to be flatter and broader, and their withers – those bony bumps between the shoulders – are usually lower.
That combo makes finding a well-fitting English saddle a little challenging. An off-the-shelf model built for a high withered Thoroughbred just won’t sit right on a typical Quarter Horse.
Sometimes, riders try to “fix” the fit with extra pads or creative rigging, but that can actually cause more discomfort for your horse. When a saddle pinches or perches awkwardly, horses might seem cranky, short-striding, or outright grumpy under saddle.
That’s why picking a saddle built with Quarter Horse shapes in mind is really important.
The right saddle will help keep your horse comfortable and performing at their best. Poor saddle fit is a top reason why many Quarter Horses become resistant, hollow their back, or simply lose interest in work. Keeping their unique anatomy in mind from the start helps prevent a lot of training and health issues.
Top English Saddle Brands for Quarter Horses
Some brands do a great job of catering to the unique shape of Quarter Horses with wide tree options or innovative adjustment systems. Over the years, I’ve seen a handful of brands get lots of love from Quarter Horse owners and riders:
- Arena Saddles: Arena offers models with Easy Change Gullet systems, making it simple to tweak the fit as your horse’s shape changes. The wide tree options are well matched for flat backed Quarter Horses, and their comfort for riders is also a major plus.
- Bates Saddles: Bates is known for their adjustable gullet systems and generous panel shapes that help prevent pressure points on flatter backs. Their leather is also buttery soft. Many Quarter Horse show riders swear by them, especially for all purpose or jumping work.
- Wintec Saddles: Wintec, a synthetic brand from the makers of Bates, delivers awesome adjustability and affordability. They offer wide trees and a flexible system, plus they’re easy to clean if your horse is a mud magnet.
- M. Toulouse Saddles: While a little less famous for adjustability, the M. Toulouse line (especially those with the Genesis adjustable tree) can do quite well for broader horses. Their deep seat and grippy leather make them comfy for longer rides, too.
Brands like Pessoa and Stubben can sometimes be modified to fit a Quarter Horse, but in my experience, starting with widely adjustable brands tends to save a lot of headaches, and your horse’s back, from day one.
If you’re interested in learning more about these saddle makers, a forum like Chronicle of the Horse is a great place to read real rider stories and reviews.
How to Measure Your Quarter Horse for an English Saddle
Measuring your horse for an English saddle can feel intimidating at first, but it usually boils down to a few key steps. This will help you zero in on the right fit before you even hit the tack shop:
- Check the Withers and Back: Stand behind your horse, looking down over their back. Quarter Horses tend to look wide and flat, with less dip behind the withers than many other breeds. If you see a flat, tabletop like shape, you’ll want a saddle with a wide or extrawide tree.
- Use a Wither Tracing: Grab a flexible curve (or a heavy wire coat hanger), mold it to your horse’s withers about 2 inches behind the shoulder blade, and trace that curve onto stiff paper. Bring this tracing to a reputable saddle fitter or tack store to compare with different saddle trees.
- Measure Saddle Seat Size for You: Sit on a hard chair with your feet flat and measure the distance from the back of your bottom to the inside of your knee. Add about 1.5 inches and that’s the general seat size you’ll want (usually between 16.5 and 18 inches for adult riders).
- Test Several Saddles: Whenever possible, try saddles directly on your horse without pads so you can spot bridging (a gap in the middle) or rocking. The saddle should rest level without pinching and clear the wither by about 2 to 3 fingers once you’re in the seat.
If this process sounds daunting, a professional saddle fitter is super useful, especially the first time around. Even just doing a fitting once helps you understand your horse’s unique shape for years to come.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions or ask for recommendations at your local tack shop, as many staff have hands-on experience with Quarter Horses.
Addressing the Unique Challenges: Why Quarter Horses Can Be Tough to Saddle
Quarter Horses were bred for power, not just looks. Their broader rib cages and flatter toplines make it easy for standard English saddles to slip side to side or tip back.
Even wide-tree saddles from older generations often don’t have enough panel surface or adjustability to work well for these horses.
Another sneaky issue is bridging. When the middle of the saddle hovers above the horse’s back and only the front and back touch, this can create sore spots pretty quickly. Quarter Horses with low or short withers are more likely to bridge in a regular English fit.
Bridging means that instead of weight being spread out smoothly, pressure is concentrated in small areas, leading to discomfort and sometimes even white hairs or scarring in extreme cases.
Finding a good fit can sometimes mean looking for a saddle labeled “Cob” or “Wide” instead of “Horse” or “Medium.” These usually start with a broader, flatter shape. Some brands now offer panels custom-filled with wool, allowing a saddle fitter to fine tune pressure points just for your specific horse.
Wool flocking can be refitted as your horse changes shape, keeping things comfortable in the long run. Adjustable gullets also give you the ability to make changes seasonally or as your horse gains muscle during training.
Spotlight: Are These Popular English Saddle Brands Good for Quarter Horses?
Arena Saddles
Arena saddles keep popping up in recommendations for Quarter Horses because of their wide gullets, roomy panels, and an easy to swap gullet system. If you want one saddle for multiple horses, or if your horse changes shape over time with work or season, Arena is a solid choice.
The synthetic wool flocking adjusts pretty easily for custom finetuning. I’ve had good luck using their general purpose models for light jumping, flatwork, and trail rides. Arena also focuses on rider comfort, providing balanced seats that keep you secure while allowing for freedom of movement.
Bates Saddles
Bates makes great use of adjustable tree technology, and their Cair air cushion panels are loved by many. Wide or adjustable trees are a staple in the Bates lineup, and for my Quarter Horse gelding, the extra shoulder room made a huge difference in his comfort and freedom of movement.
They’re pricier, but the comfort for both horse and rider is pretty noticeable.
Their attention to quality leather and ergonomic design means they hold up well over the years, making them a worthwhile investment for competitive riders or those putting in lots of saddle time.
Wintec Saddles
Wintec saddles are a favorite for schooling, show, and general riding, especially if you want less hassle with cleaning or trail conditions. Their synthetic build makes them light and lowmaintenance, and the adjustable gullets help them fit most Quarter Horses well.
I also appreciate how much detail Wintec puts into their fit guides and instructions, making the process straightforward even for newer equestrians.
Wide, extrawide, and adjustable options make these saddles a dependable choice if you’re not ready to invest in leather just yet, or if you need an affordable backup saddle for lessons and friends.
M. Toulouse Saddles
M. Toulouse offers several models with a more European flavored seat and stylish finishing. Their Genesis adjustable tree models can work for Quarter Horses, especially if you like a deeper, snugger seat.
While they don’t have as wide a range of fit options as Arena or Wintec, the brand still attracts a loyal following among casual competitors and leisure riders with Quarter Horses.
If you get a fitter to check the fit, you should be in good shape with this brand. Their grippy leather appeals to riders who value security, and the attention to detail in styling is a nice bonus for those who like good looks with their function.
Tips for Getting the Best Fit and Value
- Use a Saddle Fitter: Even if it’s just for your first purchase, a pro can help you avoid fit errors that lead to sore backs or fussy horses. A saddle fitter offers expertise that can save you a lot of trial and error.
- Buy Adjustable When Possible: Horses’ backs change with age, fitness, and diet. Saddles with adjustable gullets, like Arena, Wintec, and Bates, really help keep things comfy long term. Adjustability is especially helpful if you own more than one Quarter Horse or anticipate changes in your horse’s musculature from training or turnout changes.
- Watch the Used Market: Quarter Horses are popular, so there’s a good sized used market for appropriate saddles. Check forums like Chronicle of the Horse or Facebook groups focused on English riding for deals. Jjust always try to do a fitting before buying. Used saddles are an excellent way to get higher quality brands without breaking the bank, as long as you double check for soundness and a good fit.
Common Questions About English Saddles for Quarter Horses
Which brands are the best for Quarter Horses?
From what I’ve found, Arena, Bates, Wintec, and M. Toulouse consistently come up as top options because they offer wide tree or adjustable fit systems. Each also has solid reputations for rider comfort and durability.
How do I pick the right size and fit?
Start by tracing the withers and measuring your own seat size. Always aim to test saddles on your horse, checking for rocking, bridging, and enough wither clearance, even after adding a rider. Bring extra patience to the process; finding the right balance between saddle length and tree width can take some experimentation.
Is a used saddle okay?
If the tree is undamaged and the panels aren’t lumpy, a used saddle can be a really smart value. Just be sure to have a saddle fitter check the fit, since every horse is a little different. Used saddles are especially valuable for growing horses or riders still figuring out their preferences in seat depth and panel shape.
Can English saddles be custom made for Quarter Horses?
Plenty of brands do custom or semicustom setups. If you have a very hard to fit horse, or you want to invest for long term riding, custom can pay off in happier rides and fewer bodywork bills for your horse.
Many saddle makers will take a tracing or mold to build a tree and flaps to your horse’s exact needs, ensuring an ideal fit and long lasting comfort. Custom doesn’t have to mean outrageously expensive—a good semi custom through a reputable shop can sometimes cost only a little more than a top end off the rack saddle.
Wrapping Up
Comfort, adjustability, and a good fit are what matter most when buying an English saddle for your Quarter Horse. Whether you’re sticking to the basics with an affordable Wintec, going premium with a Bates or Arena, or exploring other options, making sure the saddle works with your horse’s back is the real key.
You and your Quarter Horse both deserve a smooth, comfortable ride, and with these options and tips, you’re already miles ahead. Remember, a well-fitted saddle means a happy horse and a happier rider.
So take your time, ask the experts, and look for the features that will stand the test of time and many miles together!
Did you find this post helpful? I’d love to hear your comments or questions below.
And if you’re thinking about switching riding disciplines and exploring Western riding, be sure to visit my site Horse Saddle Comparison for honest, in-depth reviews of Western saddles to help you choose the right fit.
Hey Shalisha,
Helpful guide. With Quarter Horses, fit usually wins over brand: broad shoulders, flatter backs, and lower withers often do better with a genuinely wide or hoop tree, generous gullet clearance, and panels that make full, even contact without tipping. I have had the best luck checking shoulder freedom at the walk and canter, watching for bridging on those shorter backs, and using shims sparingly so the saddle does the real work. Forward girth grooves can pull saddles onto the shoulder, so billet options and a good anatomic girth make a difference.
Which of your picks offers a true hoop tree or cob fit rather than just a wider standard tree? And do any include adjustable billet configurations or upswept panels that help on shorter, broader backs?
Marios
Hi Marios. Thanks for your questions. If you want something that behaves closest to a real cob or wider fit on a broad Quarter Horse, go for the Arena cob models with the widest Easy-Change gullet bars — these are designed with broader horses in mind.
The adjustable tree in some M. Toulouse saddles is the most versatile among these brands and can adapt to a surprising range of back shapes even if it’s not a “hoop tree.”
Standard Bates/Wintec/Arena with only gullet change can help with clearance but won’t really change the inherent tree shape if that’s the limiter. I hope this was helpful. If you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask.
This guide is incredibly useful for demystifying saddle fit. I had no idea that a horse’s breed could make such a difference in equipment needs. Your explanations of terms like ‘bridging’ and the purpose of an ‘adjustable gullet’ are very clear for a newcomer. The brand spotlights are helpful, especially noting which ones are good for changing shapes or easier maintenance. It makes me appreciate the nuance involved! Do you find that most fitting issues arise from the tree width or the panel shape?
In my experience, both matter—but panel shape is where most fitting issues for Quarter Horses actually show up, even more than tree width.
Tree width gets most of the attention because it’s easy to measure and label (narrow, medium, wide, etc.). And yes, if the tree is clearly too narrow or too wide, the saddle won’t work at all. That said, many saddles that are technically the right width still fit Quarter Horses poorly.
That’s because Quarter Horses tend to have: broader backs with more muscle mass, flatter toplines, and wider, less prominent withers
Many English saddles are built with curvier trees and panels designed for higher-withered, narrower horses. On a Quarter Horse, those curved panels often create bridging, pressure points at the front and rear, or instability, even when the tree width seems correct.
So while tree width determines whether a saddle is even in the ballpark, panel shape determines whether it’s actually comfortable and stable on a Quarter Horse’s back. For Quarter Horses, I usually recommend looking for saddles with: Flatter panel profiles, broader bearing surfaces, or less aggressive front panel drop.
In short: tree width gets you in the door, but panel shape is what makes or breaks the fit—especially for Quarter Horses.