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A saddle that sat well on a horse just a few months ago may require adjustment over time. The horse may have developed muscle, lost weight, returned to work after a break, or simply changed along with its training. In such a situation, one of the parameters worth checking is the gullet width.
In Prestige Italia and Renaissance saddles, the ability to adjust the front part of the tree is an important design feature. However, this does not mean that every change in how the saddle performs is solved by widening or narrowing it. The gullet width is only one element of the fit, alongside the tree shape, panels, saddle balance, and how the entire system behaves under the rider.
In the stable, the term "gullet exchange" is often used. However, with Prestige Italia and Renaissance saddles, we do not replace a separate component with a narrower or wider one, as is the case in systems with interchangeable gullets. The tree is thermoactive, so changes are made on a special machine by widening or narrowing the front part of the existing tree. Therefore, the correct term is a change in gullet width.
When does such an adjustment make sense? How do you distinguish a problem with the gullet width from a problem with the panels? What do sizes 31–37 mean, and how often should you check the saddle? We explain this step by step below.
Table of contents
- What is a gullet and what does the 31–37 gullet size mean in Prestige saddles?
- What role does the tree play in fitting the saddle to the horse's back?
- How can you tell if the gullet width might be too narrow or too wide?
- Can the gullet width be changed in Prestige saddles?
- When is it worth changing the gullet width, and when should you look for another solution?
- Is changing the gullet width alone enough, or do the panels also need correction?
- The horse has lost weight or built muscle – does the gullet width need to change?
- How often should you check the saddle fit?
- Can every Prestige saddle be adjusted?
- What does the gullet width adjustment process look like in the service center, and how long does it take?
- What else can be corrected during a saddle service?
- Can one saddle fit two horses thanks to a gullet change?
- Summary – key information
- Frequently asked questions
What is a gullet and what does the 31–37 gullet size mean in Prestige saddles?
The gullet is the front part of the tree and has a significant impact on how the front of the saddle sits in the withers area and behind the shoulder blade. Its width must correspond to the horse's current build. Being too narrow or too wide can change the balance of the entire saddle and the way the panels contact the back.
In many Prestige Italia models, the manufacturer uses sizes from 31 to 37. These are designations for the width of the front part of the tree intended for a specific horse build. These numbers should not be treated as measurements in centimeters.
The larger the size, the wider the setting of the front part of the tree. However, the number alone is not enough to select a saddle. Two horses that require a similar gullet width may have completely different back shapes, withers, shoulder blades, or musculature.
It is also worth distinguishing the gullet size from the seat size. Designations such as 16, 17, or 18 inches refer to the seat size and are selected primarily for the rider. The gullet width refers to fitting the front part of the saddle to the horse. These are two completely different parameters.
What role does the tree play in fitting the saddle to the horse's back?
The tree is the skeleton of the saddle. It gives it shape and provides the base upon which the other components are built. Its geometry influences how the saddle sits on the horse, but the rider's weight contacts the back through the panels.
This is why the gullet width is important, but it doesn't tell the whole story about the fit. The saddle must also match the shape of the back, have the appropriate bearing surface length, properly positioned panels, and remain in the correct balance.
This is precisely why changing the gullet width should not be treated as a universal solution for every poorly fitting saddle. If the problem stems from the overall geometry of the model or the construction of the panels, simply widening or narrowing the front will not change the other parameters.
Prestige Italia trees are made from a mixture of synthetic fibers. The manufacturer indicates that their width can be adjusted along with changes in the horse's musculature. The construction does not require the metal reinforcements used in traditional wooden trees and is resistant to deformations resulting from humidity.
Most importantly, however, the tree is only one part of the entire horse-saddle-rider system. The horse changes its silhouette and way of moving, the rider influences the load distribution, and the saddle itself works and wears out during subsequent hours of riding.
How can you tell if the gullet width might be too narrow or too wide?
There is no single symptom that can prove a gullet is too narrow or too wide without seeing the horse. However, there are signs that should prompt you to check the fit.
If the front part of the tree has become too narrow relative to the horse's current build, the saddle may sit too high in front, lose its proper balance, or exert excessive pressure in the area behind the shoulder blade. The rider may then have the impression that they are being pushed further back.
With a setting that is too wide, the situation can be the opposite. The front of the saddle may sit too low, reduce the clearance over the withers under load, and shift the seat balance forward.
In practice, it is also worth paying attention to whether the saddle has started to shift during riding, changed its position compared to the previous fit, or if the horse has started to react differently during saddling and work.
Sweat marks after training, ruffled hair, or local abrasions can be additional information, but should not be treated as a stand-alone test of the fit. Many factors influence the appearance of the back after training, which is why it must always be compared with an assessment of the saddle itself, the horse, and its behavior during movement.
The same applies to the horse's reactions. Tension in the back, shortened movement, reluctance to work, or tail swishing may accompany saddle problems, but they may also have orthopedic, dental, physiotherapeutic, or training-related causes. Saddle fitting is part of the assessment, but it does not replace veterinary diagnostics.
Can the gullet width be changed in Prestige and Renaissance saddles?
Yes. One of the characteristic features of the Prestige and Renaissance tree construction is the ability to adjust its width.
However, it is worth emphasizing the difference between adjustment and a system of interchangeable gullets. At Prestige, we do not remove a gullet marked with a color or size from the saddle and replace it with another. The width of the front part of the same tree is changed.
The manufacturer designs the trees so that their width can be increased or decreased along with changes in the horse's musculature. The adjustment itself is performed using the appropriate service equipment.
The current Equishop Service offer allows for a width change of one, two, or three sizes in the direction of widening or narrowing, calculated from the size in which the saddle was originally manufactured. This means that the reference point for the adjustment range is the factory gullet size of a given saddle, not its current setting after previous corrections. The final range, however, should depend on the condition of the specific saddle and the needs of the horse.
Prestige Italia provides a lifetime warranty on the tree and stirrup bars, with exclusions specified in the warranty conditions, including accidents, improper use, or unauthorized modifications. Therefore, it is worth having the width changed at an authorized service center.
When is it worth changing the gullet width, and when should you look for another solution?
Changing the gullet width makes sense when the horse's width in the front part of the back has changed significantly, and the construction of the specific saddle still matches its build.
The clearest example is a horse that, after several months of regular work, has significantly built up muscles in the area of the withers and behind the shoulder blade. A saddle that previously had the appropriate width may become too tight in the front. The opposite situation occurs after a loss of mass and muscle. In that case, the previously correct setting may prove to be too wide.
In such cases, adjusting the width can restore the proper balance and fit of the front part of the saddle without the need to replace the entire piece of equipment.
However, there is no point in changing the gullet just because "something is wrong with the saddle." If the model does not match the shape of the back, the saddle is too long, the panels do not fit the horse, or the problem stems from another element of the fit, changing the width of the front will not solve the underlying cause.
The same applies to a horse exhibiting clear pain. First, you need to determine its source. Saddle correction is the correct solution when the problem really does concern the fit.
Is changing the gullet width alone enough, or do the panels also need correction?
It depends on what has changed in the horse and how the entire saddle sits after the width adjustment.
The gullet is responsible for the setting of the front part of the tree. The panels are located between the saddle construction and the back and are responsible for the saddle's contact with the horse over a much larger surface.
If the horse has changed primarily in the area of the withers and behind the shoulder blade, and the shape of the panels still matches its back, a gullet width correction might be sufficient.
If, however, along with the change in musculature, the shape of the entire top line has also changed, asymmetry has appeared, or the filling of the panels has settled over time, it is also worth evaluating the panels.
In panels with wool filling, its correction is possible. The filling works and settles under load over time, so it may require refilling, leveling, or correction in a specific area. Latex panels have a different construction and are not adjusted in the same way by adding or removing filling.
It is not assumed from the outset that a change in gullet width always entails work on the panels, nor that it never requires it. It depends on the specific horse and the condition of the saddle. Often, however, one goes hand in hand with the other. If the wool filling has had time to pack down or has settled under the horse's asymmetry, the panels also require service, and then the work is performed comprehensively, combining a change in gullet width with a correction of the panel filling.
The horse has lost weight or built muscle – does the gullet width need to change?
Not always, but this is one of the moments when it is definitely worth checking the saddle.
A horse in regular training can significantly build up its back and the area behind the shoulder blade over several months. Especially in young horses, changes can happen very dynamically. In that case, the front part of the saddle may need to be widened.
The opposite is true for the loss of musculature. After a long break, reduced training, illness, or rehabilitation, the horse may lose some of the muscle to which the saddle was previously fitted. In such a case, the previous width may become too wide.
A larger change in body mass can have a similar effect. Therefore, it is not worth thinking of the gullet size as a permanent trait of the horse. It is a parameter selected for its current silhouette.
We do not change the width just because the horse has lost weight or built muscle. Such a change is a reason to check the fit, and only its result shows whether an adjustment of the gullet, panels, or the use of a pad is needed.
How often should you check the saddle fit?
For a mature horse with a stable build, we recommend checking the saddle at least once a year, and optimally twice a year.
The situation is different for young horses, up to about 8 years of age. Their silhouette and musculature can change very quickly, so with dynamic development, checks may be needed every 2–3 months, or even more often.
Regardless of the horse's age, it is not worth waiting until the scheduled date if previously:
- the horse has clearly lost or gained weight,
- it has built up or lost muscle,
- it is returning to training after a long break,
- it has finished rehabilitation,
- the intensity or nature of its work has changed,
- the saddle has started to behave differently than before.
Regular checks allow small changes to be caught before they begin to significantly affect the comfort of the horse or rider.
Can every Prestige saddle be adjusted?
The manufacturer designs Prestige Italia and Renaissance trees in a way that allows their width to be changed. However, this does not mean that every used piece can be widened and narrowed as desired without an assessment.
The range of adjustment refers to the size in which a given tree was originally manufactured. It is the factory size that serves as the reference point when determining how many sizes it can be widened or narrowed by.
Before adjustment, the condition of the saddle and the scope of the required change must also be taken into account. For this reason, the Equishop Service reserves the right to refuse to perform the service for technical reasons, and damaged saddles are not accepted for width adjustment.
The gullet width adjustment service at Equishop covers Prestige Italia and Renaissance saddles, with the exception of Trekker models. Renaissance belongs to Prestige Italia and also has trees made from a mixture of synthetic fibers that can be widened or narrowed along with the horse's muscle changes. In both brands, the reference point for the adjustment range remains the factory size of the given saddle.
The most important thing, therefore, is not whether the construction theoretically allows for adjustment, but whether such a correction is technically possible and actually needed in a given piece.
What does the gullet width adjustment process look like in the service center, and how long does it take?
Here it is worth separating two services: saddle fitting and gullet width adjustment in the service center.
If it is unknown why the saddle has stopped fitting well, the best starting point is to assess the fit on the horse. During saddle fitting, a specialist can check the horse's build, the placement of the saddle while standing, its behavior during riding, and the rider's position. On this basis, one can determine whether the problem actually concerns the gullet width.
It is best if such a decision is confirmed by a specialist, because they are the one who assesses whether the problem truly lies in the gullet width. However, this is not a mandatory condition. If you already know what you need, you can order the service yourself: just order the service on the website, send the saddle for service, and fill out the application form. The saddle is delivered to the Ruda Śląska location in person or by courier, according to the rules provided on the service page.
When ordering, you choose the range of change - one, two, or three sizes in the direction of widening or narrowing, always relative to the size in which the saddle was factory manufactured - as well as the method of delivery of the saddle.
The gullet width adjustment itself is currently carried out within 2 business days, calculated from the day after the saddle is delivered to the service center. This is the deadline regarding this specific service. With a wider scope of work, the time may be different.
If the saddle's fit has changed after adjustment or if work was simultaneously performed on the panels, it is worth re-evaluating the fit on the horse.
What else can be adjusted during a saddle service?
Changing the tree width is just one of the possibilities. The type of work required depends on the condition of the saddle and its current fit.
One of the most common areas requiring adjustment are the wool-flocked panels. The filling gradually settles during use, which is why it can be replenished or adjusted in appropriate designs. Correcting the wool panel filling allows for work on the shape and symmetry of the panels and their contact with the horse's back.
Service may also be needed due to normal wear and tear of the saddle. Billets, seat leather, flaps, panels, stirrup bars, or other components work during every ride and may require repair or replacement after years of use.
Through Equishop, it is possible to commission the manufacturer to replace specific saddle parts. The scope depends on the model and the condition of the specific piece.
A separate area is leather care. Sweat, salt, dust, and moisture affect its condition, as does the use of improperly selected products. Professional cleaning and care help maintain the leather's elasticity while also providing an opportunity to closely inspect elements that are easy to overlook during daily cleaning.
Can one saddle fit two horses by changing the tree width?
It can, but the mere ability to change the tree width is not enough to assume this from the start.
Two horses may have a similar width in the withers area while having completely different back shapes, different bearing surface lengths, shoulder placement, or musculature. Tree adjustment changes one parameter. It does not change the entire geometry of the saddle.
If both horses are similar in build and the saddle fits correctly on both in the same setting, its use on two horses may be possible. However, each of them must be evaluated separately.
On the other hand, Prestige's adjustment should not be treated as a system intended for daily width changes depending on which horse the saddle is being put on. Changing the tree width is a service, not an adjustment performed before every ride.
If a saddle is to be moved to another horse permanently, the ability to adjust the tree width is a major advantage. However, the entire fit must still be checked, not just the tree number.
Summary - key information
The tree width is one of the parameters that determines how the front part of the saddle sits on the horse. In many Prestige models, we find sizes 31-37, but the tree number is not the same as the seat size and in itself is not enough to select a saddle.
The most common reason for re-evaluating the width is a change in the horse's silhouette. A horse can build muscle during training, lose it after a break, lose weight, or gain weight. In such cases, a saddle fitted a few months earlier may begin to sit differently.
Prestige Italia trees are designed so that their width can be adjusted. The range of this adjustment refers to the factory size in which the tree was originally produced. However, the ability to change the tree width does not mean it is the right solution to every fit problem. Sometimes a panel correction is needed, sometimes the problem concerns another part of the saddle, and sometimes a given model simply does not suit the build of a specific horse.
Therefore, the most important thing remains the assessment of the entire horse-saddle-rider system. We change the tree width when the horse's current build truly requires it, not as a preventive measure or based on a single symptom.
For an adult horse, it is worth checking the fit at least once a year, optimally twice. For young horses, roughly up to the age of 8, with dynamic changes in silhouette, a check may be needed every 2-3 months or even more often. Otherwise, we always check the saddle whenever the horse has significantly changed mass or musculature, is returning after a long break, or the equipment has started to behave differently than before.
If you are not sure whether your saddle needs a tree width change, it is worth starting with a fit assessment. The team of authorized Prestige Italia and Renaissance saddlefitters works throughout Poland and can assess the horse, saddle, and rider in real working conditions.
If, however, the scope of the required adjustment is already known, the tree width change can be ordered directly at the authorized Equishop Service in Ruda Śląska.
A full selection of Prestige Italia saddles, AS-X models, as well as jumping, dressage, and all-purpose saddles can be found in the relevant Equishop categories.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a tree width change and a "tree replacement"?
In Prestige Italia and Renaissance saddles, the tree is not replaced with another component. The tree is thermo-active, and its front part width is changed on a special machine. "Tree replacement" is a colloquial name for the same service, i.e., changing the tree width.
How much can the tree width be changed?
By one, two, or three sizes toward widening or narrowing, always relative to the size in which the saddle was factory-produced. The final range depends on the condition of the specific saddle and the needs of the horse.
How long does a tree width change take?
The service itself is completed within 2 working days, starting from the day after the saddle is delivered to the service center. With a wider range of work, the time may be different.
Can the tree width be changed in every Prestige saddle?
No. Most Prestige Italia and Renaissance models have trees with adjustable width, but the exception are Trekker saddles, which come in one size and are not subject to tree width changes. Adjustments are also not performed on damaged saddles. In other cases, the scope and sense of the change for a specific piece are determined by the service after an evaluation.
Is a saddle fitter visit required to change the tree?
It is not a mandatory condition. It is best to consult the decision with a specialist, but if you already know what you need, you can send the saddle for service yourself and fill out the application form.
Is changing the tree width enough, or do the panels also need adjustment?
Sometimes just changing the width is enough. However, if the wool filling has already packed down or settled according to the horse's asymmetry, the panels also require service, and then the work is performed comprehensively.
Can one saddle fit two horses?
Sometimes yes, if the horses differ mainly in width in the front section, and the seat suits the rider. However, the tree width is only one of the parameters, which is why every horse and the entire fit must be evaluated separately.
