Measuring a Saddle

[wanabe]

Everybody says to measure from the brad on the side of the pommel to the middle of the cantle. But they never say whether you follow the contour of the saddle or run a straight line thru the air. It makes a difference.

My saddle, which was sold to me as an 18 1/2" (and the billet cover has 18 1/2" stamped on it) measures a little OVER 18 1/2" when following the saddle contour and only 18" when running a steel tape straight across thru the air. So I guess the "follow the contour" is the correct method. (?) Or is it not that exact -- each manufacturer has their own method?

[Wally]

Most folk just measure in a straight line fomr the head nail at the pommel to the centre of the cantle.

[wanabe]

Thanks.

I guess I'm not going to worry about mine being off, then. I suspect it's not an exact science, anyway since you could measure from the front/middle/back of the brad AND the cantle.

[star*]

The proper way to messure is from the stud to the cantle a saddler and saddle fitter told me they are mesured like this. I am sure they come up smaller than they are ment to be if you messure from the pommel straight across to the cantle.

http://www.mini-horse-pony-tack-guide.com/images/measureenglishsaddle.jpg

http://www.equusite.com/articles/basics/images/basicsEnglishSaddle2.jpg

http://www.yourredwagon.com/seat_size2.jpg

[wanabe]

Hi star*,

Even your 3 photos show different measurement techniques. The middle one shows measuring to a spot on the cantle that is about half-way from the side to the center. I've seen that before, but it can't be right, I think.

Anyway, my Ovation, which is a nominal 18 1/2", measures 18 1/4" from the FRONT of the brad to the REAR of the center of the cantle. It measures only 17 3/4" from the middle of the brad to the middle of the center of the cantle.

However, with a soft-tape that follows the contours, these measurements are 18 1/2" and 19 1/4", respectively.