In recent years, saddles with an interchangeable gullet plate have appeared in the offers of many equestrian equipment manufacturers. Thanks to this solution the saddle becomes more universal. There is also a high probability that this type of saddle will serve us longer and in many situations will prevent the need to replace the saddle with another model.
If you are considering buying a saddle with an interchangeable gullet plate, in this article you will learn what the interchangeable gullet plate system involves, and what advantages such a solution has.
Who is a saddle with an interchangeable gullet plate for?
The saddle is one of the most important and, consequently, usually the most expensive element of equestrian equipment. That is why, when buying a good-quality saddle, we hope that it will serve us for many years.
Sometimes, however, as a result of the horse maturing, training or a change of discipline, the horse’s build changes radically and the saddle, which previously fitted perfectly, stops fitting our mount. Investing in a saddle with an interchangeable gullet plate will be a particularly good solution for riders who:
- Ride young, still developing horses.
- Work with their horses, more or less intensively depending on the season.
- Lease horses for riding.
- Frequently change the horses they ride (e.g. take horses in for training for a specified time).
The role of the front gullet plate.
The front gullet plate is a boomerang-shaped plate made of metal or another artificial material, attached to the saddle tree. The gullet plate can have various widths, to fit the horse’s withers as well as possible and, consequently, protect it from injuries and keep the saddle in an optimal position on the horse’s back.
With a well-chosen gullet plate, the space between the horse’s withers and the saddle is appropriately large (it is generally accepted that three or four vertically placed fingers should fit there).
The requirements regarding the width of the front gullet plate may, however, change. If the horse gains muscle mass in the withers area, the front gullet plate may become too narrow for it and press excessively on the shoulder. In the opposite situation, i.e. when the horse loses muscle mass e.g. as a result of a break in training or sometimes with age, the gullet plate may become too wide, due to which the saddle will sit too heavily on the withers and press on it.
Balotade® Tank Endurance Saddle (Interchangeable Gullets)
What is gullet width?
By the size or width of the gullet we mean the distance between the edges of the gullet plate on both sides of the saddle. The edge of the gullet plate is easily palpable. It is enough to look with a finger for the last, immobile spot on the front edge of the saddle. This is precisely the end of the front gullet plate. The distance between this point and its counterpart on the other side of the saddle is what we call the gullet width.
There is no standardised way of marking gullet width. The markings may differ depending on the manufacturer. Sometimes it is the width in centimetres, sometimes they are letter markings (e.g. XW – extra width, M – medium).
However, to give you an idea of gullet sizing, we can assume that:
- Sizes between 25 and 28 are a narrow gullet. Intended for horses with very prominent withers and a narrow back.
- Sizes 29-30 are a medium gullet. It will fit most horses with a balanced build.
- Sizes from 31 to 34 are a wide gullet. Intended for horses with a wide back, rounded and with little-marked withers.
How does the interchangeable gullet plate system work?
In most saddles with interchangeable gullet plates, changing them is very simple. It is possible to open the saddle yourself, non-invasively, unscrew the old gullet plate and screw in the new one. For example, in this type of model produced by Balotade, it is enough to unscrew two screws with an ordinary screwdriver. The system has been designed so that the change is fast, simple and can take place without the use of specialist tools.
Interchangeable gullet plates, depending on the manufacturer, are sold individually or in a set that contains all the offered widths.
It should be remembered that changing the gullet plate will only affect the space between the saddle and the withers. Sometimes the problem is the general width of the saddle, or of the channel between the panels, running along the horse’s spine. Then changing the gullet plate will not help us adjust them.
The most important advantages of an interchangeable gullet plate.
- Savings – Gullet plates in traditional saddles can sometimes also be widened or narrowed, but this involves the need to fully open the saddle and use the appropriate tools. It is also not recommended to repeat this procedure more than once or twice, so as not to permanently damage the saddle. Such adjustment of the gullet plate by a specialist carries additional costs.
So often, when the horse’s build changes once again, using a saddle with a non-interchangeable gullet plate, you face the need to buy new equipment or use one that is not appropriately fitted. Finding one saddle that will provide comfort to both the rider and the horse is already costly and time-consuming. Add to that another saddle, and our expenses will increase significantly. - The possibility of changing the gullet plate yourself – Non-interchangeable gullet plates must be adjusted by a qualified saddler. In addition to the costs, this usually also involves the need to hand over the saddle to the workshop for some time.
Saddles with interchangeable gullet plates are constructed in such a way that anyone can change the gullet plate themselves, with the help of widely available tools. Most manufacturers include detailed instructions with the saddles. Their task is to explain the saddle-fitting process itself and make it easier to choose the right size.
This does not, however, replace the help of a professional saddle fitter. Therefore, in case of even the smallest doubts about choosing the gullet width for our horse, we should use the services of such a professional. - You do not have to choose between comfort and quality – Until recently the interchangeable gullet plate system could be associated more with usability than with high quality of products. Now, however, you can find a saddle with an interchangeable gullet plate adapted to every taste and riding style. And made of the highest quality materials. You will find the interchangeable gullet plate option, among others, in the offer of the Balotade endurance saddle.
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