Saddle question

[ever_hopeful]

Would a 17in saddle look silly on a 17.0hh TBxWB?
I'm small and this is the largest saddle I would feel comfortable in. I normally ride in a 16in!

 

[zoon]

Think sometimes it doesn't so much depend on the seat as the size of the rest of the saddle. I have a custom made saddle with 18" panels for long backed horse, a 17" seat for my normal bum and very short jumping flaps for me as I like my leg against the horse, not the saddle! The saddle is very bizarre to look at and looks tiny on 16.2 WBxTB as the flaps are short despite long panels. Bu I don't care as it is super comfy and my horse goes so well in it and is very responsive to my leg as he can actually feel it! Once I'm on no one notices the sizing anyway.

As long as you and the horse are comfy and going well it shouldn't matter. Just be aware that at that size the horse could probably accommodate an 18" saddle and by putting a 17 on him you'll be spreading saddle pressure over a smaller area which isn't ideal (hence my different sized panels and seat)

 

[ever_hopeful]

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As long as you and the horse are comfy and going well it shouldn't matter.

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I'll have the saddle fitted professionally.

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Just be aware that at that size the horse could probably accommodate an 18" saddle and by putting a 17 on him you'll be spreading saddle pressure over a smaller area which isn't ideal (hence my different sized panels and seat)

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I hadn't really considered this. Do you think it will make a huge difference? I'm 8.5 stone and always use a comfort pad under my saddles. The horse is 3 and being backed next year.

 

[Tiger2]

A seat saver will also help to fill up the space on a larger saddle especially the thicker ones such as the Heather Moffat.