What size saddle do I need - i.e. 17" etc

[hannah_lek]

I want to buy my first dressage saddle. What does the size in inches refer to - e.g. 17", 17.5", 18" ?

[Wally]

It's not a case of what size to I need, more a case of what size do WE need. If the saddle doesn't fit both horse and rider you will be storing up huge problems for both of you.

The difference riding a horse in a well fitted saddle and one that doesn't fit is enormous.

The saddle will be measured in size and width fittings as a general rule. The 17,18, 18.5 inches refers to the length or seat size, then there is the fit, this is usually refered to as narrow medium and wide or Extra wide. I have never met a truly narrow fit horse by the way. However it is no use trying to put an 18 inch saddle on a pony it will be too long for him even if 18 inch seat is what you need!

In dressage more than anything if the fit is not really good the horse will not produce his best work, some sensetive horses will buck you off if they are unhappy with the sadddle fit. Every horse should have his own saddle.

[Jay.o]

the size in inches refers to the lebgth from the skirt at the front, back in a diagonal to the midlle of the cantle !

like wally said its really the horse comes first then the rider really !
any way that is what i think !

i rode a horse on holiday and it had a narrow fit saddle and he was truely narrow - it was most unconfortable for me but he probally thought it was confortable !

[Wally]

Narrow fit horses are usually ones which have muscle atropy from ill fitting saddles in the first place!

As I say a truly narrow fit horse is a rare thing!

[galadriel]

My TB is pretty darn narrow, but I'd caller more of a narrow/medium than true narrow. She's got this SPINE and those WITHERS...and she's built like a 2x4. It's sometimes hard to tell that there's actually a horse between my legs ;)

Doing lots of dressage recently; rode bareback this morning and it was MUCH more comfortable than it ever has been before. (happy sigh) Nice dressage topline muscles.

[Tina J]

With a dressage saddle, there is not just the length of the seat to accomodate your backside (as a guide, I find a UK size 10/12 behind needs a 16.5 or 17 inch saddle) but also your length of leg. If you are a shorty like me, then you have to look very carefully at how the saddle is made, as some saddle flaps are so long that my ankles barely come below them. Make sure that you get any saddle on trial, so that you can assess thoroughly how it feels for you and your horse. If possible, watch someone else of roughly your height and build ride your horse in the saddle as well. Look for if the saddle sits easily on the horse, not perched too high above the withers or restricting the horse's shoulders. Look at the horse trotting away from you - does the back of the saddle move (I have actually seen this happen in an elementary dressage test - judge's comments "your horse moves remarkably well considering the saddle doesn't fit him").

Have fun - I much prefer a dressage saddle, even for hacking out. By the way, my first mare when I got her was definitely narrow. But after 6 months of feeding and correct work I had to get a new saddle a size wider!

[Wally]

Go to www.saddlecheck.co.uk

[Tina J]

What an excellent site Wally!

[hannah_lek]

Thanks for the great replies - they've helped a lot!

[Emma_G_NZ]

Well to give you an idea..
I'm 14, 47kg (about 110lbs) and around 5ft1 but most of my height is in my legs! I have a 16.5" dressage saddle (wintec 500) but would probably be better off in a 16". My pony is only 14.1hh so he probably couldnt have one bigger than 16.5" anyway, because of the length of his back!

[Waikato Valuta]

i'm 16, 80kg 5'7" and have a 17in dressage saddle. Fits like a glove.