Saddle seat sizes

[horsy]

How much difference does 1/2 " actually make? I've been looking for a 17 1/2" saddle as that is what I had before, and I was comfortable in it. However I've seen alot more 17" saddles in my search. Would going half an inch shorter make me uncomfortable? Is it actually noticeable? I'm really skinny so don't fill the saddle as such :p but I am very tall with very long legs, and was just wondering if I would feel cramped or if it might make it more difficult to achieve a good position?

[sammylee]

hi! any luck with your saddle?
just thought i would let you know, that saddle length has nothing to do with "how big your bum is" which is what people often mistakingly think, its about your height as you said. so if you are tall and slim, maybe the 17.5inch would be better for you. are you buying it new? if so why not get a saddle fitter to fit it for you, which will ensure you get the right one, also you will just have to make sure that that extrra or less 1/2 inch wouldnt hurt your horses back in anyway x good luck x

[CurlyWurlyRach]

im over 5ft10 and id be best in an 18' saddle but my mare cant take one so we compromise on a 17.5'.

[Wally]

if we'd run out of 17.5 inch saddle trees, we'd be given an 18 inch and told to rasp a bit off the cantle and place the head nail creatively! ;) :D :D

[newforest]

when sitting in the saddle you should be able to fit a hand's width behind you.

[tophat]

hi! any luck with your saddle?
just thought i would let you know, that saddle length has nothing to do with "how big your bum is" which is what people often mistakingly think, its about your height as you said. so if you are tall and slim, maybe the 17.5inch would be better for you. are you buying it new? if so why not get a saddle fitter to fit it for you, which will ensure you get the right one, also you will just have to make sure that that extrra or less 1/2 inch wouldnt hurt your horses back in anyway x good luck x


Not sure what you mean by that, i am slim and have 16" saddle which suits me and horse. I have ridden other horses in bigger saddles which were fine, however, i have seen short girls with big bums which hang over 17.5" saddles, surely if they were to ride in my saddle that would be even worse.
Hope you don't mind me asking

[Joyscarer]

Of course how big your bum is plays a part!

I am 5ft 7 and have a 17.5 inch on Joy. I don't have exceptionally long legs but my bottom is a size 18-20 (top is still a 16 :rolleyes: ) and for that reason I could have done with a bigger saddle but Joy's bacl won't take it.

[unicornleather]

Of course it does Joyscarer,thank you for correcting that person who said that, don't know where these people get their info from!
I have fitted ALOT of the "larger" ladies in the past to saddles, the saddle fits the horse beautifully, the lady is perhaps short in her femur so her leg is accomodated on the flap easily and in the correct position, BUT as they have rather large "derriers",so large that they hang over the back of the saddle like saddle bags then I have to say NO, sorry, it doesn't fit and because I am a gentleman and would never say "because your bottoms too big" ( and the possibility I would end up in casualty when they punched my lights out) I have to be very diplomatic.
1/2" on the seat can make a lot of difference, the panel of the saddle(part underneath that makes contact with the horse's back) must not go past the last rib or the weight of the rider will be on unsupported muscle.It has to sit on the ribcage. As Newforest said, you should be able to fit a hand's width between the end on the cantle and your bottom.
Oz

[Wally]

you should be able to fit a hand's width between the end on the cantle and your bottom.


it must be noted that I have VERY tiny hands! ;) ;)

[unicornleather]

lol, me too wally and you know what they say about men with small hands, all I can say is , it's true!
Oz ;)

[elaine@dow-evan]

Ooh no, I have never heard that saying....do enlighten me!!!:D

[palmerlover52]

.....psssssssssst. Wally is female ;)

[unicornleather]

yes, we know wally is female, a very nice one at that!

[Wally]

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