Saddle & Saddle Tree Fitting

It seems that there is much confusion as to how to measure a western saddle. As a western saddle tree and saddle maker i hope to clear this up for my customers and anyone who might be interested. I measure the tree length from the front of the cantle to the bottom of face of the fork also known as the handhold. This is how i lay the tree fork and bar dimensions out for the proper seat length specified by my customer. Seat length is measured in the wood before the rawhide and leather is applied. Generally I add 1/2" leather thickness to the final seat length when the saddle is finished.





Measurement A - Seat Length
Measurement B - Thigh Length