Today I would like to clarify saddle position on a horse, assuming the saddle fits properly. When I was younger, way back in 4-H, I was taught that you do not want the saddle to sit on the kidneys. This is true, however it's also important to keep in mind how the shoulder blade of the horse moves, which is an upward motion when the horse puts weight on the leg. I often see saddles that are too far forward on the horse's shoulders, which restricts their movement and can cause discomfort or even damage to the horse's muscle (not to mention slow the horse down, for those who enjoy faster disciplines such as Barrel Racing or Cowboy Mounted Shooting). Put simply, the ideal position for a saddle is right in the middle of the horse's back, even lengths between the highest point of the horse's withers and the point of their hip. Essentially the tip of the bars of the saddle should be right behind the shoulder blade of the horse, (not 2 inches behind or in front of the shoulder blade), and you want your butt right in the middle of the horse's back. Sometimes you can get lucky in finding the sweet spot on the horse's back by placing the saddle forward and pulling it back until the saddle stops sliding, but please note this does not guarantee the proper position. Please feel free to ask questions or request clarification on another topic.
Cheers!
Rockin' Gyp Horsemanship