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While a horse's back can be measured for size and shape, the saddle must be tried on the individual animal to assure proper fit
- Saddle blankets or pads can provide assistance to correct dependent fit problems, but no amount of padding can compensate for a poor-fitting saddle.
Strap parts of the saddle, such as the stirrup leathers, billets (on an English saddle) and latigo (on a western saddle) also need conditioning, but it varies by climate. In a barren climate, bankruptcy to oil straps may consequence in cracking and weakening of the leather, and they can snap or break. In a more humid climate, too much oil may weaken the leather. Properly conditioned leather is neither Western Saddles brittle nor floppy in texture and flexibility.
