length of saddle in comparison with horse's back??

[Morgan123]

hello,

just wondering if there's a rule about how long a saddle should be or anything that i've missed out on? I have a 15hh welsh cob, and a 17" saddle (though am looking for a new one). he's not particularly long in the back, but someone said to me the other day that they thought his saddle was too short for him. It sits maybe a hand or so away form the loins, which I would think is about right?! I guess maximum weight distribution is better, but her 11h pony's saddle sits actually on his loins, and looks totally wrong to me!

just wodnering if there's an actual rule to this?!

Thank you!
x

 

[NeedNewHorse]

Hi, when fitting a saddle to a horses back, you do not want the length of the saddle to go past his last rib. So feel for his last rib and this is where the saddle should not pass.

As such my mare is pretty shortbacked and could take nothing more than a 17inch, as anything bigger wouldn't sit right.

x

 

[Louby]

Agree with above. My horse is 16.2 and cant take any bigger than a 17 inch saddle. I couldnt imagine your horse taking anything bigger if hes short coupled. My friend has a 16.3 WB and luckily my friends tiny as her horse cant go much bigger than 16.5 inches. No good if he had a bigger rider.

 

[unicornleather]

russoheidi has already answered this one!
Oz

 

[Kallibear]

Last rib rule. Remember the last rib curves forwards as it joins the spine, so you can't just run a straight line up towards the spine!

You can have a saddle that's too small simply because it doesn't spread the weight enough, but a 17" on a 15hh welsh cob is unlikely to fall into that category!

HOWEVER, if your saddle appears to be too 'short' then it's higly likely it's sitting far too far forwards and needs to be brought back a good couple of inches!