Rider size/build and saddle length..

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Moomin1

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Am thinking of replacing my saddle, which came with my mare three years ago. It still fits her well enough, but it's 19" and I feel like a am drowned by it!

Not quite sure what size I should be looking at though (obviously will get a fitter out, but am just wondering because I am browsing through Saddles Direct this evening).

Would appreciate any input as to what size saddles other posters have, and what build they are themselves! :)
 
I'm 5"6, about 10 stone (I say 'about' as I fluctuate between 9 stone and 10 stone 8 pounds).
Horse is TB. She takes 6"6 rugs.
I have a 17.5 in saddle but I am in the process of buying a 17 inch saddle as I am still comfortable in a 17 in. Reason I'm going down a size is because I'm splashing out (for me anyway!) on this new saddle and I want to make sure it isn't going to be too long for any horse I'm likely to own. :)
 
I'm 5'8ish with a copious backside and I ride in a 17 vsd or 17.5 dressage, or a 16.5 gp-cut type thing.

And I don't have any daisy issues in any of them either :cool: :D
 
I think it depends on the length of your thigh. Sit down with your knee bent to a right angle and the top of your thigh level and measure from the back of your knee to your backside. Think that's the seat size. Providing you're not too 'broad in the beam'.
 
I'm 5'6" and weight between 9 and 9 and a half stone. I do have long legs and would prefer a longer seated saddle than the 16 1/2" saddle which is the longest that my 15.3 mare can manage. I have to compromise my riding position to accomodate my thigh on/in the shorter seat.

According to the measuring thingy, I should be riding on at least an 18" saddle, but no way could the mare manage that.
 
I'm 5ft 3" and weight 8.5 stone. I have long legs knee to hip thou so my saddle is an 18". If I sit on a 17" my knees just go over the front of the saddle unless its very forward cut. Saddle was made on a 17" panel for horse thou.
 
I am 5'10 also with plenty of bum, I ride in a 17.5 straight cut GP on a 15hh short backed haffy (it magically is not too long when her prev. owner said she had to have 16.5 max :-O) It is the first saddle I have ridden in that feels at all roomy. I conclude this is A) because it has a generous quite flat seat, B) because it has a square cantle and C) because its the first saddle I have ever bought myself and the others were realistically more like 17inch!
 
5'2 and about 8 stone, my saddles are both 17'' I'd like a slightly shorter one after spending lots of time in 15'' saddles but mine are fine for me really.

No daisy issues here either :cool:
 
I am 5ft 7 and around 11 stone currently (though going to lose a few pounds!). I have 33 inch legs.

I feel as if I don't have any security or deep seat in this saddle - just like I am perched in a bathtub or something! :eek:
 
I'm 5'10 & mostly legs. As a poor doer coming out of winter, I currently resemble an upside down mop. And in peak condition I am still on the beanpole side. I ride very long in what is basically a bareback position, & I'm quite happy in anything from 15-17.5". Larger saddles I can manage if the back is raised so I don't slide miles to the back, or if I'm jumping. Only problem I have is the flaps on anything under 17.5" cause overhanging knees if I jump. Legs are 36", so even on a 17.5" gp don't fit well, it has to be a jumping saddle. My mare has the 16.5" jeffries gp I had on her as a kid. Knees overhang when we jump, but only do it for fun on her now. Used to compete in a 17.5" albion dressage saddle & jumping saddle. Had the same on my 17.2, he was mega long & could have easily managed a 19", tbh 17.5 looked like a racing saddle on him.
Just a thought, but when my daughter rides mine, the 16.5" drowns her, she's another beanpole & ends up slipping inches behind the stirrup bars. So when she rides her, or even any other ponies with too big saddles, we just put a back raiser on to lift it up & stop her sliding back. If your saddle fits the horse, it might be cheaper to try that first. For a 4 stone or so kid, a raiser is fine, however if you are concerned it could effect fit or you don't want the appearance, you could perhaps just get a saddler to put extra padding in the back to lift it.
 
Littlelegs said:
I'm 5'10 & mostly legs. As a poor doer coming out of winter, I currently resemble an upside down mop. And in peak condition I am still on the beanpole side. I ride very long in what is basically a bareback position, & I'm quite happy in anything from 15-17.5". Larger saddles I can manage if the back is raised so I don't slide miles to the back, or if I'm jumping. Only problem I have is the flaps on anything under 17.5" cause overhanging knees if I jump. Legs are 36", so even on a 17.5" gp don't fit well, it has to be a jumping saddle. My mare has the 16.5" jeffries gp I had on her as a kid. Knees overhang when we jump, but only do it for fun on her now. Used to compete in a 17.5" albion dressage saddle & jumping saddle. Had the same on my 17.2, he was mega long & could have easily managed a 19", tbh 17.5 looked like a racing saddle on him.
Just a thought, but when my daughter rides mine, the 16.5" drowns her, she's another beanpole & ends up slipping inches behind the stirrup bars. So when she rides her, or even any other ponies with too big saddles, we just put a back raiser on to lift it up & stop her sliding back. If your saddle fits the horse, it might be cheaper to try that first. For a 4 stone or so kid, a raiser is fine, however if you are concerned it could effect fit or you don't want the appearance, you could perhaps just get a saddler to put extra padding in the back to lift it.
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Ahh so that is why you are called Littlelegs! Lol! ;)

I definately want to go down the new saddle route, as looking at pics it looks like I am sat in a bathtub! But I must admit, she is very long backed and perhaps won't be as flattering to her. I just don't feel secure in the saddle at all, and I feel as if I am being pulled forwards in it whenever I am schooling.

Plus, I am looking at VSD's (just realised that sounds like some horrible affliction :eek:) as more into showing and dressage nowadays than jumping!

And, also, it's bloomin exciting the thought of getting a new saddle!! :o
 
Vsd just sounds like an affliction cos of the daisy thread, you are going to get a Very Sore Daisy saddle! Littlelegs is actually nickname for daughters pony, but did seem ironic for me too.
 
I'm 5ft 3.5 ( half inch very important) with an average sized bum! Lol. Ride in a 17" albion. With huge knee rolls! Lol wouldn't feel secure in anything else and as saddle was custom made it fits us both perfectly.
 
Floxie said:
Which part of your bum do you measure to?!
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To the back. Don't curve round, just a straight line, back of knee to back of bum. Keep the top of your thigh level (I put my foot on a box to bring my leg up) and sit up straight. Bit like you're riding, but in a bit of a chair seat.

I just measured me. 17.5", which, happily enough is my current saddle size. I do also ride in a 17" with no bother, but 16.5" is a bit of a squeeze. Dreading getting a saddle for baby cob-back lengthening vibes for him!

I'm 5' 5", 10st 2lbs and a size 12. 29" inside leg.
 
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I'm 5'8" and have long legs, especially my thigh. The horse I ride has a 17" saddle but neither me or his owner fit in it! Both our knees go over the front despite it being a jumping saddle! Could really do with a 17.5" or maybe even an 18" but I don't know if the horse could take that.
 
I'm 5'6 and ride in a 17" saddle that's all ours can take anyway even the 16:2 tb can't go any longer but it fits us fine.

Old pony had a 15" and I felt fine in that to:o
 
Beausmate said:
To the back. Don't curve round, just a straight line, back of knee to back of bum. Keep the top of your thigh level (I put my foot on a box to bring my leg up) and sit up straight. Bit like you're riding, but in a bit of a chair seat.

I just measured me. 17.5", which, happily enough is my current saddle size. I do also ride in a 17" with no bother, but 16.5" is a bit of a squeeze. Dreading getting a saddle for baby cob-back lengthening vibes for him!

I'm 5' 5", 10st 2lbs and a size 12. 29" inside leg.
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That is how you measure yourself for a side saddle and I measure 21" but don't take a 21" astride saddle! :S

I'm 5'9", 13.4 stone and take 36" length jeans and find 17 1/2" most comfy for me although 18" is better if it's a very deep seated saddle. My current astride saddle is a 17 1/2" Stubben Artus that doesn't give me "daisy trouble" and fits my bum and leg well! I can get a hand's width behind and in front of me as well.

Here's us in my 17 1/2" Stubben and you can see that it's a good fit my my height and build (although ignore my horrible baggy hoody, it makes me look pregnant but is oh so warm!! :D ).

pinkhats.jpg
 
I'm 5"4 and 9.5 stone. My horse came with a 14.5" saddle (tiny considering he's 15.1hh.) It doesn't feel too small, though I do sometimes find myself sitting on the back of the saddle! Probably feel most comfortable in a 15.5-16" saddle :)
My previous horse was a long backed tb with a 17.5" saddle that was farrrr to big for me! :D
 
5'6" and 11st with long legs.

I need an 18 inch but can fit in a 17 its just not very comfy. Same as another poster, I've been as small as a size 8 and as large as an 18 but always needed an 18 inch saddle.
 
Elsiecat said:
I'm 5"6, about 10 stone (I say 'about' as I fluctuate between 9 stone and 10 stone 8 pounds).
Horse is TB. She takes 6"6 rugs.
I have a 17.5 in saddle but I am in the process of buying a 17 inch saddle as I am still comfortable in a 17 in. Reason I'm going down a size is because I'm splashing out (for me anyway!) on this new saddle and I want to make sure it isn't going to be too long for any horse I'm likely to own. :)
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But you would also have to buy a horse that is the same width and shape to your current horse, surely?
 
I'm 5'6" and about 11 stone, average length legs (I think!). I use a 16.5 inch saddle as horse is short backed. Fits us both fine.
 
I am 5' 10", ten stone exactly, and usually ride in 17.5 inch saddles. I have recently bought an 18 inch saddle for my mare though and it feels a bit big. So I am going to put my sheepskin seat saver on it.
 
I'm 5'6 (and a half, very important!) and roughly 11 stone.

I've ridden a variety of horses, mainly in 17.5'' saddles which I am happy with.

I've ridden Moomin1's mare in her 19'' saddle which to me feels very insecure.

I am now looking at 16.5/17'' saddles for my boy as he is smaller than my usual mount. I don't think I'll have a problem!

(I also like to show off that I can fit in a cub saddle and still remain comfy! :p )
 
When I had my horsey fitted for a saddle the saddler said "well, I would normally try this horse in a 16" saddle, but I don't think your backside will fit in that. So lets try a 16.5" and see how we get on"
He's a very good saddler but not the most tactful of people!!!
 
Okay, I think the recent "it's all about femur length" thing is really overplayed. I think seat size is much more about hip measurement and weight and the flap cut then deals with femut length. Did you know that women's femurs are proportionately lolnger than men's, so don't think that a saddle designed for someone like WFP will work for you :)

It also depends on the horse's ribcage - not in the OP's case if the mare can take a 19", but sometimes we are restricted in what the horse can take TO it's last rib and not beyond.

So, if you like a deep seated dressage saddle then you may take a size larger than in a flat seated jumping saddle as the former will ride smaller in the seat itself, as well as the straight flap being more restrictive. Going for a larger seat size to give room for the legs can leave you feeling like you're swimming and insecure, so better to then look to flap design.

A more forward cut can help, even dressage saddles vary, plus look to the placement of the knee blocks. For a taller rider I like a higher placed thigh block that is out of the way of the knee. If your knee ends up going slightly over the flap at least it's not pushed away from the horse by the block.

To answer the OP question I'm 5'9", 32" inside leg and 11stone, I ride in a GP-seated dressage saddle (ie not deep) and it's 17.5, my flat seated CC jump was a 17".

Moomin1 said:
Ahh so that is why you are called Littlelegs! Lol! ;)

I definately want to go down the new saddle route, as looking at pics it looks like I am sat in a bathtub! But I must admit, she is very long backed and perhaps won't be as flattering to her. I just don't feel secure in the saddle at all, and I feel as if I am being pulled forwards in it whenever I am schooling.

Plus, I am looking at VSD's (just realised that sounds like some horrible affliction :eek:) as more into showing and dressage nowadays than jumping!

And, also, it's bloomin exciting the thought of getting a new saddle!! :o
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If you have a GP with a shallow seat, then a deeper seated saddle will feel smaller. I would recommend you look at deep seated WH saddles if you want to show - they are a nicer shape for showing than most VSDs and many of them still sit you very well. I have one popular model that sits between a WH and a dressage saddle and many people absolutely love it if they do mostly flat work and some showing.

You will need to take the fact the judge may ride into account - I generally recommend a 17.5 or so if you aren't too tiny, and as long as you feel okay in it. If it looks small on her then you may consider a longer flap to fill up her depth, and if you don't want to go for a larger seat size then a sheepskin numnah with a roll back trim can help visually take up her back length.

You need to try lots of saddle and see what gives you the best feel.

RLS said:
When I had my horsey fitted for a saddle the saddler said "well, I would normally try this horse in a 16" saddle, but I don't think your backside will fit in that. So lets try a 16.5" and see how we get on"
He's a very good saddler but not the most tactful of people!!!
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As long as the horse can take a 16.5 that's fine but I'd be worried that's not the case from his initial thought...
 
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