What’s A Gusset?

I mention the word gusset and it throws many customers for a loop! What is a gusset and what purpose does it,(they), serve? There are different types of gussets and hopefully, this post will answer some of your questions!

 

There are wither gussets, also referred to as half or front gussets.There are also  full front gussets. Both of those are located at the front of  the saddle. In our used saddle descriptions you will see them in the saddle titles as WG, (wither gusset), or FFG, (full front gusset).

wither gusset

 

full front gusset

 

There are rear gussets, also referred to as gusseted panels which are located at  the rear of the saddle and non-gusseted panels..

 

rear gusseted panels

 

non-gusseted panels

 

Wither gussets, those little  teardrop shaped additions to the front panel are helpful in many ways. Horses with hollows by the wither often need a bit more support to lift the saddle so that the saddle can remain the correct width yet not collapse on the wither. They are often used in conjunction with a deeper front panel such as a trapezius panel or K panel, although not exclusively. Most are placed flush with the front panel but some, protrude a bit in front as well.

It is important  that the wither gussets match up with the hollows or they could cause the same issue as when the arch support in a shoe hits one’s arch in the incorrect place.

 

A horse with a rounder conformation such as an Irish Sport Horse, with more of the Draft influence, that requires a hoop tree, may still need the bit of support that the wither gusset provides, even with the hoop tree.

 

Some horses with a very large shoulder might find the wither gusset a help because sometimes it can help anchor the saddle behind the shoulder. It is important that the tree point remain behind the scapula.

 

Full front gussets are another way to give lift to the saddle and can be used with or without a deeper front panel. They run the entire length of  the front panel and should be flush with the panel. They work well for a horse that is narrower in front and widens toward the back or for a horse whose conformation isn’t suited to a wither gusset but needs the added benefit of more lift. Again, the full front gusset, like the wither gusset can help anchor the saddle behind the shoulder but is less spot specific in fit as opposed to the wither gusset.

A gusseted panel or rear gusset is what the rear bottom panel is called when it has a seam across the back. This allows for more depth of  the rear panel if needed. They come in many shapes and depending on the horse’s conformation could be square, thin, full, upswept, shortened and so on. Non-gusseted panels are ones that do not have the rear seam and tend to be thinner and most often foam. Many French saddles have non-gusseted panels. The shape of the rear gussets should match the slope and length of the horse’s back. One that is too squared and thick when placed on a horse with an upsloping back, such as a Thoroughbred, would be unsuitable. This type horse might benefit from an upswept or thinner rear gusset or even a non-gusseted panel. A very short backed horse also sometimes benefits from an upswept panel as some of the bearing surface is shortened. A very uphill horse with a croup that is lower might do well with a thicker rear gusset.

 

The length and shape of the rear panel, or gusset is also important in that we don’t want it to protrude into the horse’s loins. Not only would it create pressure, but for a horse with big gaits, the movement might move the saddle forward onto the shoulder.

 

Working with a good fitter is helpful but you can start to educate your eye as to what types of panels and shapes are good for your horse!

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