There are two very important considerations for fitting the saddle to the withers: width and shape. You need to choose the correct tree width to correspond to your horse's wither width and the correct panel length to correspond to your horse's wither shape. Withers are generally classified as Narrow, Medium, Wide, and X-Wide. Narrow for high very narrow withers, e.g.; narrow thoroughbred. Medium for most thoroughbreds. Wide for average European Warmblood, Arabian, Quarter Horse or on any withers on which a medium fit sits too high. X-Wide for flat round withers on which most saddles sit too high, including the wide tree.

Type A is the most common shape. The line from the withers to the shoulder is relatively straight.

Type B is the second most common shape and is characterized by a substantial depression on either side of the wither. Type C withers are similar to Type B, but the depression extends even further down the side of the withers. This type of withers is generally very prominent and extends further rearward than most withers and then turns sharply downward.Long panels such as those in the Competitor¨ dressage saddles are best suited for A type withers. Short panels such as those in the WB¨ dressage saddles are best suited for B type withers.

Type C withers may require custom 3/4 length panels. Short panels will fit A, B or C type withers. Jumping saddles, because of the position of the flap are all, in effect, short panels. The depression on either side of the withers characterizing B or C type withers is only significant if the depression is directly under the front of the panels where they lie on either side of the withers. If the depressions are in front of and not directly under the panels, it is not relevant to fit.