does 1/2 inch make a big difference? saddles

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swampdonkey

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My friend is selling her Isabelle Werth dressage saddle and I have chance to get it a lot cheaper than I would find one second hand.
Until tonight I had never ridden in a dressage saddle and I loved it! My legs were in a much better position and stayed where I told them, for once!
Question is, it is a 17 1/2 and another friend who is a saddle fitter said that it fits my boy well and he was really comfortable in it, but it is a little large for my bum. She said that my boy would be comfortable with with either a 17 or 17 1/2.
Obviously I haven't ridden in one before but would that extra 1/2 inch for my seat make a big difference to my security in the saddle and position. My position felt great tonight and I did feel more secure than my gp saddle but just wondering if it would be worth paying quite a lot more to have the smaller seat?
Hope everyone understands what I am asking, I seemed to have waffled. Apologies.
 
They are very deep saddles and you might even find that you need the extra half inch to be comfortable. I suggest making sure that the saddle fits both you and your horse before buying. Isabels tend to be a love or hate sort of thing. So if you can have a decent ride in it, that would be even better. Hope it works out for you. Cheers.
 
I haven't got any advice for you, but just wanted to say thank goodness you added the word 'saddles' to the end of that title!!! ;)
 
I dunno. I'll ride in anything pretty much and don't really find it affects me that much. If you liked it and felt comfy in it then it probably fits you I guess?

Or else I'm totally unpicky! :D
 
Depends where it sit in relation to your horses ribs. My horse has a 17.5 Ideal show saddle but her Albion jump was 17 inch as the 17.5 was to long in the panels. Ask your saddler is your best bet.
 
Moomin1 said:
I haven't got any advice for you, but just wanted to say thank goodness you added the word 'saddles' to the end of that title!!! ;)
Click to expand...

LOL! :D

I would say if you like the saddle and feel comfy in it, then go for it, especially if it's a good price ;)
 
I actually found myself having this conversation with a saddler the other day:

I think the 17" looks wrong, so I'd like to drop down to a 16.5" for length, but if you lose that half inch then the flaps look too short.

Saddler agrees flaps do indeed look too short but sees what I mean about length....

Show horses :rolleyes: I'm a massive fusspot when it comes to tack - AND other people larger than me have to be able to ride my horses in it!
 
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