silverstar
Well-Known Member
Im tall and currently horse hunting but I need an 18" saddle. So am wondering could you put an 18" saddle on a 16hh?
Could you put an 18" saddle on a 16hh?
- Thread starter silverstar
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tasteofchristmaschaos
Well-Known Member
It would depend on the horse. Some could take it, some couldn't.
If an 18" saddle is a must have, you can't ride in anything else, then I would speak to the seller when you enquire about the horse and ask what size saddle it is currently in, and if you decide to go possibly go ahead and buy, you would need to get a saddle fitter out to check to see if they could take one.
My 18.1hh shire is only in a 17.5", but I know a 15.2 who is in the same size saddle, so it really is absolutely dependant on the individual horse.
If an 18" saddle is a must have, you can't ride in anything else, then I would speak to the seller when you enquire about the horse and ask what size saddle it is currently in, and if you decide to go possibly go ahead and buy, you would need to get a saddle fitter out to check to see if they could take one.
My 18.1hh shire is only in a 17.5", but I know a 15.2 who is in the same size saddle, so it really is absolutely dependant on the individual horse.
rhino
Well-Known Member
I think it really depends on the horse - my boy is only 15.3hh but would carry an 18 inch saddle fine; unfortunately I am a short @rse and wallow in anything bigger than a 17"! Other 16hh horses I know that are really compact and short backed would maybe not..
Hoofprints in the Snow
Well-Known Member
Its not how tall you are but how big is your bottom. Also the saddle has to fit the horse, this is very important as so much damage can be done if the saddle doesn' fit properly. A 16hh can vary in what size is needed for instance a big cob will need a different fitting saddle than a thoroughbred. If you are horse hunting and the horse you chose doesn't come with a properly fitted saddle please please get a qualified saddler to fit one.
Balibee
Well-Known Member
My 17hh horse is ridden in a 17 1/12 saddle. This is verging on too big for him as he is very short coupled. You have to gage where his ribs finish as the saddle shouldn't go over that area if I remember correctly.
Petalpoos
Well-Known Member
I used to ride my 14:3 Anglo Arab in an 18" Stubben and it was fine.
silverstar
Well-Known Member
Right I will ask when ringing up and would definitely get the saddle fitter out.
Kallibear
Well-Known Member
Not entirely. I'm a small size 12 but really need an 18" saddle as I have long legs: I need the seat lenght to take up my thigh length.\
Ditto what other said about the horse: depends entirely on the horse. Mare generally have longer backs and can take a longer saddle. I have a 15.2 who can only just take a 17" saddle, yet my last 15.2 had plenty of room for a 18" saddle.
If the horse is very short-backed you can look at having longer flaps put on, and even shorted panels for the seat size.
Angelbones
Well-Known Member
I'm 5'9 and ride in an 18" as I like a fairly forward cut GP style with good knee rolls and its hard to get my thigh length suited, if that makes sense. Some saddles fit me, others don't. I have an Albion K2 now, and it fits me and my groom who is only about 5'4 but obviously rides shorter than I do. My horse is 16h1, fairly short coupled, Irish TB / ISH type and this Albion suits him, as did a Kieffer Garmische 18". Here are some pics, not great sideways ones, but you can see neither is too big for the horse (or the 5'4 rider). I also used an 18" Albion on my 15h1 Appy mare who was quite solid.
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
My 15.3 Appy, who has a lot of arab and TB in her pedigree wears a 16 1/2". The 14hh native type wears an 18". The 16.3 Grey IDx we were told, could take a 20" saddle. When the old cob girl was in work she wore an 18", she is 14.3hh. So it all depends on the build and the length of the back. I am 5' 6" and most of my height is in my legs, I find the Appy's saddle fine, although I could perhaps do with the stirrup bars being an inch or two further back.
Spit That Out
Well-Known Member
Hi, depends on the horse. I had a 15.3hh clydesdale x cob and he could take an 18" but i also had a 15.2hh cob that was quite compact and 16.5" was the biggest he could take.
If you don't yet own this horse then i would ask the owner what size he takes and if the saddle is included in the sale. After you have bought him i would recommend getting a saddle fitter out to check out the fit and also to take in to account of the riding you want to do. The saddle that comes with the horse could be a jumping saddle and you want to do dressage or xc?
The saddle shouldn't go past the horses last rib.
I managed to get a 18" on a 15.2hh who should have only been a 17" but i bought a Throwogood and they slightly lift at the back. As recommended by my Master saddle fitter.
If you don't yet own this horse then i would ask the owner what size he takes and if the saddle is included in the sale. After you have bought him i would recommend getting a saddle fitter out to check out the fit and also to take in to account of the riding you want to do. The saddle that comes with the horse could be a jumping saddle and you want to do dressage or xc?
The saddle shouldn't go past the horses last rib.
I managed to get a 18" on a 15.2hh who should have only been a 17" but i bought a Throwogood and they slightly lift at the back. As recommended by my Master saddle fitter.