changing saddle size

Janette

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 January 2002
Messages
2,294
Location
West Yorks
Visit site
I have had my saddle checked, and lo and behold, I need a new one
shocked.gif
.

I can understand the width changing from Med wide to either a generous wide, or a skimpy Xwide, depending on how you look at it. But why might we need an 18" when before it was 17.5"?

btw - Star is 9, not exactly a youngster.
 

Bosworth

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 February 2006
Messages
5,268
Location
devon
www.ballhillequestrian.co.uk
Horses change width on a regular basis so I agree that he could go wider or narrower - getting longer is not normal

Horses can increase the length of their back - ie a racing TB will never have worked in an outline so will have shortened his back muscles - working him round and up will increase the length of his back muscle and allow you to put a longer saddle on but to be honest half an inch will make no difference if your horse can take an 18inch he will be fine in a 17.5. Slightly different if you were riding in a 16 inch on him, then the argument would be you need to spread the riders weight over a larger area hence the biffer saddle.

The only other reason could be post Christmas you have increased the size of your bottom - so diet madly and save money!!!

Is it the same saddler who sold you the last saddle? Do you think he could possibly just see another saddle sale.
 

Toby_Zaphod

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 August 2005
Messages
9,292
Location
Midlands
Visit site
Width, as you say is understandable & is for the horse. Length of saddle is more for the rider, a larger rider needs a larger saddle whereas a rider who's a size 8-10 obviously needs one of the shorter saddles. The difference between 17 1/2 & 18 is negligible though.
 

piebaldsparkle

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 July 2006
Messages
13,017
Visit site
Thought the seat size related more to the rider (provided that horses back was long enough to accomidate it). So sorry but have to ask.......Has your bum got bigger?!!!
shocked.gif
LOL*runs and hides*
 

Janette

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 January 2002
Messages
2,294
Location
West Yorks
Visit site
Actually..........My bum's got smaller, by about 3 stone (well that was before Christmas...
frown.gif
. Now it's more like 2 1/2 stone smaller)

Some of the comments are really interesting and made me think.

I think she probably looks longer, because she used to be very hollow, and tight (like the racehorses), but now she is working over her back she seems to be lengthening. that was a good thought.

she has also chunked out a bit, so possibly looks 'bigger'
 

Bosworth

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 February 2006
Messages
5,268
Location
devon
www.ballhillequestrian.co.uk
But even if she is "longer" there really is no need to move from a 17.5 to an 18 if it is the correct width for her. half an inch makes little difference to her and if you have got smaller you will only swim around in it more. ASk your saddler why you need to go larger - find out what his reason is and then let me know because I can as a saddler see no reason for the increased length except financial gain for the saddler.
 

CrazyMare

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 December 2005
Messages
12,324
Visit site
Janette, it could depend on the saddle itself, my old GP measures 16" stud to centre of cantle, but my new Ideal worker measures 17" stud to cantle, but my Ideal rides smaller.
 

piebaldsparkle

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 July 2006
Messages
13,017
Visit site
I echo bosworth if you have got smaller, then can see no reason to go up a seat size. Does he happen to have an 18" that he wants to sell? Have you sat in the saddle yet? I suppose it may depend on the make/style of the saddle.

P.S. Well done loosing that weight, got any tips?
 
Top