How to take a template of my horse's back

Q. How to do a template of the horse's back? 

Q. How can I measure how wide my horse is?

A. Please be aware that this is a very simple and basic guide to taking a template.  Your SMS saddle fitter will take a comprehensive version of this process and include templates of T-18 and true drop.  This is a basic guide for a horse owner to be able to give us a rough idea of the width of your horse.

You will need:

• A3 Paper with a vertical line down the centre of the page and a cm scale along the bottom edge.
• Pen
• Flexi curve or metal coat hanger
• Link to purchase a 60cm flexi curve from Amazon  Click Here

1. Example of A3 paper and set up.  Write your horses name and age on the top.

2. Stand the horse on even ground, weight on four legs and square, head facing forwards (see example)

3. Put the A3 paper weighted down near the horse so it doesn’t blow away.

4. Find the point of the scapular or shoulder blade (see example photo)

5. Place 3 fingers (about 2”) behind the point of the shoulder and place your flexi curve or metal coat hanger over the withers at this point, making sure your keep it upright (see example).

6. Gently mould the flexi curve of hanger with your fingers, so that it replicates the shape of the horses back on this side.

7. Ask a friend to hold the flexi curve or coat hanger steady, so that you can walk around to the other side and mould the other side.

8. Once you’re happy that you have a true likeness, lift the flexi curve or coat hanger off the horses back and lay it down on the A3 paper.  Try and place it down so that the vertical line is in the centre of your template (see example).
9. Add measurements at 10cm and 15cm from the top of the template you have drawn. This will allow our saddle fitters to re-create the template if they need to. 
10. 

You can either scan the template into an A3 scanner and email it to sales@daviddyersaddles.co.uk or put it in the post to David Dyer Saddles, Jenda House, Cray Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 5DP.