Quick Saddle Question

Persephone

Persephone

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Just to get things straight in my head :p

Which is more important? That the seat size suits the rider, or that the seat size makes the saddle cover a large enough weight bearing area for the horse?

Eg I am little, easily fit into a 16 1/2 or 17" saddle. Horse is not backed yet but 16.2 rising 3 y/o BIG ID/TB with a longer back than my last horse who fitted a 17".

Obviously I am going to be getting a saddle fitted, but am just wondering if any of my saddles may be a candidate for her.

As I say, sorry for the stupid question!
 
I believe make the horse comfy in its saddle before the rider! But saying that, an uncomfy rider can ride heavy like a novice,...so debatable. But horse comfort is top, as it can of course lead to issues later if it's badly fitted as you will know.

I have a 17" on my welsh d of 15hh. This is both comfy for her and me, so both wins! She may be happy also in a 16" but doubt there would be much difference to her and my bum probably wouldnt fit or would be tight!!
 
Always understood the width must be right for the horse but after ensuring the saddle isn't too long for the horse the length should be fitted to the rider. Think you should phone a decent saddler and ask them though.
 
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Thanks Business! That's how I see it too, but not being a saddle fitter...lol!

I am finding myself going in circles, I want the filly to be comfortable, so I am having to get a saddle fitter to fit a saddle, but as she isn't backed they will not be able to see her ridden in the saddle! It's really tricky. I am even thinking I back her bareback, then get the saddle fitter.

As you can see, I am chasing my tail here!
 
I can't imagine ever putting a rider in a saddle that is too big for them just to spread weight better - you will swim and move around and that is not good for getting a good fit for the horse! Occasionally show horses will be fitted with larger saddles than the main rider needs, but that is purely because the judge may well be bigger, and owners often want an 18" saddle for that reason.

If you really want to spread weight then look to a different design saddle - I fit ReactorPanels which do exactly that, but there are others.

If you want the saddle to look a little bigger then just buy a big fluffy roll back wool numnah!
 
Persephone said:
Thanks Business! That's how I see it too, but not being a saddle fitter...lol!

I am finding myself going in circles, I want the filly to be comfortable, so I am having to get a saddle fitter to fit a saddle, but as she isn't backed they will not be able to see her ridden in the saddle! It's really tricky. I am even thinking I back her bareback, then get the saddle fitter.

As you can see, I am chasing my tail here!
Click to expand...

I backed my AES mare bareback but only to the point where I could walk around in the school on her with basic steering and breaks. I didn't lunge in a roller either, or side reins first, and didn't long rein. Given I am getting old and plan to keep her till one of us pops our clogs I wanted her to have a really soft mouth so I could still stop her in a snaffle in my dotage (assuming I get to dotage). So I taught walk, trot, canter, and woah in a round pen then taught the stearing and breaks by walking beside her holding the reins as normal but from the ground under her neck. I followed all the principles laid down by Andrew McLean

http://www.aebc.com.au/AndrewMcLean

with a few of my own ideas, namely the walking as if holding the reins. With long reining it really increases the leverage and so force and I didn't want that. I didn't want to do anything that might jepordise feather light breaks.

Then I got Master Saddler Julia Garrett out from Somerset who I think is brilliant and very honest. I had other saddlers out too, (well -that guy had come for someone else and I jumped on the wagon). I had a saddle I thought fitted my mare but wanted a quailified opinion. The first guy said it didn't fit but he had something that would! Not being a complete idiot I didn't believe it was that far off so asked Julia to come out and she said it was fine. You can rely on Julia, she really knows what she is doing and will be totally honest. If it needed adjustment she would have said and if it was never going to fit she would have said but Julia would never say it dosen't fit so she could make a sale. Saddle still fits mare, I have never had a problem with it but I expect to have to change it soon as she is getting fully mature.
 
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