Big bum, small saddle

JenJ

JenJ

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Just wondering if anyone that's not a svelte size-8 type rides in a smaller saddle?

I've been using a 17.5 on my ex racer, but was never completely convinced of the fit, have now had a 16.5 fitted to her and she's much freer in her paces. I haven't ridden in it yet myself, but am worried that it may be too small for me - I'm a solid size 14 - so before I embarrass myself at the yard this weekend, can anyone tell me if they've fitted comfortably with similar sizes please?
 
I tried my mare in a 17" and i felt fine. I rode in my friends 16.5" it was not comfy at all, but then the saddle was too narrow and i am larger than you. You'll be fine lol
 
Unless you are huge (and being size 14 you are not) or tall, then you should be fine. I am a size 10 but very tall (5'10") and I am fine in most 17 inch GP saddles. I think I would struggle in a 16.5 inch though because of my height, I would be sitting on the cantel.
 
My sister who had a similar issue, had her saddle slightly altered. I think she had the cantle made less sloping so she was able to sit on more of the surface area. Does that make sense? Also my RI says it is less to do with ample botties than length of thigh. But then she might just be being kind, as I have an ample bottie!
 
It totally depends on your body shape - I'm a 12/14 and only 5'6, however I have a long thigh and struggle to fit in anything under 17.5.
 
My welsh x tb is just under 16hh and only takes a 16.5" saddle. I am a similar size to you and 5'5" tall. The saddle is a wintec ap pro and many have remarked on what a comfortable saddle it is! I don't have any issues fitting my butt in it!
 
For those with longer legs going to a bigger seat size was a fashionable way to do it in recent years, but IMHO it's not the best way to go for most people, you swim in the seat, and are often sat in the wrong part of it. For longer legs go for a more forward cut design, and/or higher placed smaller blocks.

For a 16.5" dress size 14 could be an issue, I have one very wide flat tree that I fit to XXW upwards and that could take a slightly larger rider, but in many 16.5" trees it would be less than ideal, sorry. The deeper the seat the less room you will FEEL like you have too.
 
sbloom said:
For those with longer legs going to a bigger seat size was a fashionable way to do it in recent years, but IMHO it's not the best way to go for most people, you swim in the seat, and are often sat in the wrong part of it. For longer legs go for a more forward cut design, and/or higher placed smaller blocks.

For a 16.5" dress size 14 could be an issue, I have one very wide flat tree that I fit to XXW upwards and that could take a slightly larger rider, but in many 16.5" trees it would be less than ideal, sorry. The deeper the seat the less room you will FEEL like you have too.
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I am shortly needing to fit a saddle to my small WB. She is currently just under 15hh and 3 years old. I am wanting to fit a saddle to her next Spring. I am worried that she may only take a 16.5 inch saddle and I am 5'10 and a size 10 - 12 (28 jodhpurs). She is a TBxWB and looks to be a medium wide. Are there any saddles that might accommodate me? I want to do dressage but as I am so tall I was thinking I may be better getting a GP saddle on her.
 
I struggle with this also, I'm a size 12, 5ft 8in tall and a 16.5in was just too small as I have a 33in inside leg, my 15hh (wide) mare is short coupled but had success with a 17in Farrington WH saddle which had a shorter panel. Definitely look for a flatter tree if you can as it will allow your rear end a bit more room.
 
Hi,

Being a person with an ample bottom I would have said I would never have fitted a 16.5" but have found that it really does depend on the saddle. My saddler put me in an 18" and I was swimming in it, this was causing issues with my horses back because I was having to hitch myself up all the time. All my moving about caused extra strain that the saddler was try to spread out. ( My horse was a huge cob,) Also because i am only 5ft and on top of that my legs are short, my feet barely came off the saddle flaps. In the end I fell out with the saddler and did some experimenting with saddles and sizes. I found I was very comfortable in a 16.5 Isabel werth and I now have a 17" Heather Moffett which is a stunning saddle. It is very important that the saddle fits you as well as the horse. Sadly to say my feet still barely clear the flaps! :P
 
I'm a shortie and size 10 but have to admit I find my 16.5s ok, but prefer a 17. I feel pretty borderline too big for a 16.5 tbh. (but my ponies are tiny- no choice :p )
 
Wagtail said:
I am shortly needing to fit a saddle to my small WB. She is currently just under 15hh and 3 years old. I am wanting to fit a saddle to her next Spring. I am worried that she may only take a 16.5 inch saddle and I am 5'10 and a size 10 - 12 (28 jodhpurs). She is a TBxWB and looks to be a medium wide. Are there any saddles that might accommodate me? I want to do dressage but as I am so tall I was thinking I may be better getting a GP saddle on her.
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I only fit the brands that my company do, I'm not a general fitter, so I can't really comment. We commonly use a flocked upswept panel to keep the footprint short, the continental style saddles with foam panels do the same, otherwise you need to focus especially on leg room and think about block placement, having your knee sit under a high placed thigh block rather than knee block is the key.
 
To the OP, it really depends on your height and how the saddle is built. I'm 5'9" with a 34" inseam and on the 14.1 Arab I used to loan, I had a 16.5" close contact saddle with a VERY VERY flat seat that fit me ok (I was a size 14 at the time, now I'm a 16). 18" saddles normally fit me well though
 
I'm 5ft5 and size 12. I fit in my pony's 15 inch saddle with no issues. Not particularly comfortable for riding longer than an hour in but it's the only size she can take for her short back but I never ride for longer than 45 minutes or so unless hacking.
 
Thanks all. Bit of a mixed bag then. I'm 5'9" but haven't got particularly long legs. Guess I'll just have to try it tomorrow and see. If it fits me badly I guess I can try and find a 17 that fits us both?
 
You can but try.

I am abundant with booty (ahem) - and I always figure those who say "fit it to the length of your thigh bone" have never wept at the thought of never being about to get a pair of Pikeurs over the knee! ;-) What's the point in having an appropriate length saddle flap if your arse is hanging over the back of the cantle? Muffin-tops are bad enough in the high-street, on your horse's spine? Not so funny.

I have a dressage saddle 17.5 (fairly deep-seated) which isn't going anywhere near the nag until I lose 3 stone... pointless exercise, I just don't fit it.
 
I'm a 14 and long in the thigh, I have 17s and wouldn't like to squeeze myself into anything smaller - I could probably get away with a 16.5 flat seated scottie-type but no way could I squeeze into a 16.5 deep seated dressage...
 
If really does depend on hip to thigh measurement. My sister and I are the same height but I have a longer body and she has longer legs. She is a size 6-8 and I am an 8-10 and I fit into our 16.5" dressage saddle better than her.

Flatter seat and a square cantle and forward cut saddle would be the best way forward.
 
I am 5ft 11 ins and find a monoflap to be fine, mine are Ken Taur eventer and are the less forward cut model, loads of room in it and easily fit in it. they also seem to fit people with long and short legs as the knee block is very long. Must admit can't ride in a saddle witha bigger seat as someone else said seem to swim about in it. Find most close contact jumping saddle are far too small in the flaps but dressage are usually fine too.
 
Just a thought had an Albion K2 jump in a 16.6" the seat area was bigger on that. Had it for a 16.3hh horse with a long wither so no room for a longer saddle, had two fitters tell me that he would fit an 18 " though. found the Albion at a car boot sale and got it stuffed to fit him , he never looked back and I was very comfy too could get my whole hand behind me in it. think the pommel shape allowed more room.
 
I am certainly not a size 8, my mare is a 16.5" which is what I have for her and I do find the saddle a bit small - not so much bum-wise but where my knee sits, its just too far forward. I have a WOW for my other horse who is very short coupled so he has 16" panels with a 17" seat for me! You'd think it'd look weird but it doesn't at all and is so comfy. I'm desperately hoping it will soon fit my mare after she changes shape a bit more so I can use it on her.
 
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