Welcome to Western Saddle Fit
From People Who Understand Western Saddles
Rod and Denise Nikkel spent over twenty years hand making custom saddle trees for individual saddle makers. Now, they are sharing what they have learned about fitting Western saddles so others can benefit from their extensive experience and hard won knowledge.
How do you know if your western saddle fits your horse correctly?
While the principles of saddle fit are common between all saddles, how they actually apply varies between different types of saddles. There is very little information about how western saddles should fit and function originating from people whose background and experience is primarily with western saddles. Coming from Rod and Denise Nikkel, experienced and well respected western saddle tree makers, Western Saddle Fit - The Basics will answer that question.
For those who want to learn more, Western Saddle Fit – Well Beyond the Basics will cover all the material in The Basics video in more depth, plus include additional information. There are sections on rigging types and positions, troubleshooting saddle fit problems, anatomy and biomechanics as it relates to saddle fit, myth busting, and much more.
For a full index of what is in each video, click the links to the right.
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The Basics
This 67 minute video gives a rider the knowledge they need to evaluate if this saddle will work on this horse based on an understanding of how the factors in the tree, the saddle, the horse, the rider and the padding affect the fit.
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Well Beyond the Basics
Coming later in 2017 (we hope!), this 4 -5 hour video goes deeper into the information explained in The Basic video, and includes many additional sections.
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Additional Resources
Possibly a book is the future? Who knows. In the meantime, check out the Saddle Fitting Articles section for lots more information!
Learn from people who know Western saddles...
Having built thousands of saddle trees over more than two decades, Rod and Denise Nikkel share their expertise with you in their first 67 minute video that will teach you The Basics of Western Saddle Fitting. Whether you are a recreational rider or you ride for a living, whether you are a saddle maker, trainer or other equine professional, or you just want to learn more to benefit your own horses, this video will give you the information and confidence you need to assess whether this saddle will work on this horse - plus a whole lot more!
Western Saddle Fit - The Basics (DVD)
Watch the intro to the left!
Introductory price:
$34.95 US plus shipping
$44.95 Canadian plus shipping
Own a retail store or website? Contact us for bulk pricing and a shipping quote.
There's more on this site than just the videos...
The Nikkels have published a blog on their saddle tree site, www.rodnikkel.com, since 2011. They put up many posts about saddle fitting along with the ones about trees. Now they have compiled and organized the fitting posts (there's over 100 of them!) into seven categories. Click on the links and prepare to spend some time reading...