am i being a numpty?

Pharphar!

Pharphar!

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I'm trading in my jumping saddle hopefully this week as it restricts my lads shoulders too much. just called local saddler to get her out and when she asked what size i needed i told her 'i'm currently in a 16 or 16.5 inch dressage saddle' she sounded really shocked as my horse is 16hh. am I being a numpty? the girl who has leant me the saddle told me its size so i've not measured it myself! I am tall but have no arse (not a blessing!) which is why its so small. Also, anyone able to recommend a make of saddle which gives good shoulder room? my boy has big shoulders and prefers straight cut of dressage saddle to normal gps and jumping saddles! thanks
 
I don't know anything about saddle fitting, but my 12.2 pony had a 16 inch saddle so maybe that's why she's shocked, who fitted the dressage saddle ?
 
If the saddle fits your horse's back and it fits you, then it does not really matter that it is so small. The more surprising issue, is that there is a huge difference from the riders point of view, of the position of a jumping saddle, vs a dressage saddle. They will put you in a very different position. I would suggest you go for a GP, maybe a VSD type GP, that will have slightly straighter cut flaps. But if you had a jumping saddle because you did a lot of jumping, you might find it unpleasant to sit on.
 
I have been useing a 16 1/2 dressage saddle and a 17 jumping saddle on my 16hh horse. Both were fitted by a saddlefitter, I am 5ft 2 and need a small saddle for my short legs, it does make the horses back look a little long so I use a large saddlecloth!
 
BigRed said:
If the saddle fits your horse's back and it fits you, then it does not really matter that it is so small. The more surprising issue, is that there is a huge difference from the riders point of view, of the position of a jumping saddle, vs a dressage saddle. They will put you in a very different position. I would suggest you go for a GP, maybe a VSD type GP, that will have slightly straighter cut flaps. But if you had a jumping saddle because you did a lot of jumping, you might find it unpleasant to sit on.
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thanks BigRed. Not being funny to ppl but i do have a small arse so i fit the smaller saddle and my boy is short backed too! the only reason i had a jumping saddle was it came with him! i've been working in a dressage saddle for a few months and my position has changed for the better. plus he is very downhill and since the swap to the dressage saddle he has more shoulder movement (has massive shoulders!) and is working better on through his bum rather than dragging himself along by his fronts! as you say, the jumping saddle although very comfy pushes me forwards and he (and i!) need me to be in a more upright position! will look at VSDs. thanks
 
My horse is the same in regards to being particularly wide but having massive shoulders, I bought an Ideal VSD and it fits him and his shoulders perfectly :)

It's rather comfy for me too! :D
 
klara said:
My horse is the same in regards to being particularly wide but having massive shoulders, I bought an Ideal VSD and it fits him and his shoulders perfectly :)

It's rather comfy for me too! :D
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thanks klara, got fitter coming on sat so fingers crossed she can find something! why is nothing straight forward with horses eh? you say 'oh he's a TB' they presume skinny-minni with no shoulders, my lad is a full TB but built like a tank with mega shoulders and a broad back! tcha!
 
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