05/12/2026
Why the "Tape Measure & Gullet Measurement" is Failing Your Horse 🐴📏
We get asked all the time: "What is the measurement across the gullet in inches?"
It’s a fair question, but here’s the honest truth: Measuring straight across the gullet is actually somewhat meaningless.
If you’ve been struggling to find a saddle that fits, here is why that single number isn't giving you the full story:
1. It’s about Intersection, not just Width
A measurement in inches doesn't account for where your horse’s body actually intersects with the saddle. Different horses meet the tree at different heights and levels. A "7-inch" gullet on one brand can feel completely different from a "7-inch" on another because of the tree's depth and arch.
2. Angles & Inches
Our saddles are designed with unique gullet angles and flatter bars that we perfected after testing countless prototypes. While other saddles might have a narrow "V" shape that pinches, our design offers a U-shaped room specifically evolved for broad-backed horses—from Icelandics to Shires.
3. The Custom Fit Solution: VersaFit™
Because every horse is unique (and changes shape throughout the year!), we don’t rely on a static measurement. Instead, our saddles are part of a system. Our saddles + VersaFit™ Saddle Pads and Shims ensure a customized fit every time you tack up.
Adaptive Support: The VersaFit™ system allows the saddle to accommodate the horse in motion, flex with bulging muscles, and lift the front off the working shoulder.
Precision Balancing: Using TaperShim™, you can instantly adjust the balance for asymmetries or topline changes, providing the "squish and support" needed for maximum comfort.
The Bottom Line: A saddle should be a dynamic interface, not a rigid measurement. By combining our specialized U-shaped gullets with the VersaFit™ Pad & Shim System, you get a tailor-made fit that respects your horse's movement.
Stop guessing with a tape measure and start fitting for freedom! Visit the link in our bio to explore the VersaFit™ range and take our FREE SADDLE FIT EVALUATION on our website 🔗 www.contoursaddlery.com
Or, explore our basic 4 B's principles here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of24RaQ5BMk