Saddle seat size?

Bertolie

Bertolie

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 August 2011
Messages
1,600
Location
Gloucestershire
Visit site
What size saddle would people suggest?

I am 5'3", dress size 14/16 and weigh 12 stones (I am working on the weight).

My horse is a 14.3 middleweight cob, 19 years old and has a long back. I like a saddle to feel 'snug' but I am wondering about the weight distribution with a smaller seat size and a long backed horse.

Any thoughts on what size seat I should be looking at?
 
Your best bet would be to get a saddle fitter out as they will be able to judge better from seeing you both than anyone will be able to on a forum.:)
 
Spiritedly said:
Your best bet would be to get a saddle fitter out as they will be able to judge better from seeing you both than anyone will be able to on a forum.:)
Click to expand...

That is the plan but horse is very hard to fit a saddle to so looking for an independant fitter, but the only one I can find that comes recommended doesn't sell saddles so I need to beg, steal or borrow various makes to see which fit him, so wanted a rough idea of seat size (if that makes sense!)
 
I think the Thorowgood website has a guide to measuring yourself for a saddle, might be worth a google?

You can measure the length of your thigh from knee to hip down the outside of your leg to get a rough idea of seat size you need.
 
Thank you both - will have a look now.

I think the main thing I would like to know is about the weight distribution of a smaller saddle with a long backed horse. Would this make a difference to the ideal saddle size?
 
Scarlett said:
I think the Thorowgood website has a guide to measuring yourself for a saddle, might be worth a google?

You can measure the length of your thigh from knee to hip down the outside of your leg to get a rough idea of seat size you need.
Click to expand...

This is how I measure up a rider for a saddle seat size, but there's a lot of other variables that need to be taken into consideration too, try to get your saddle fitter/saddler to come out template the horse and measure you and horse up, you will stand a much better chance of narrowing it down to find the right saddle.
Oz
 
Unfortunately "long backed" means little when it comes to saddle fitting. You HAVE to fit to the last rib, not beyond - I fitted a saddle to an Icelandic who I reckon took about a 6' rug, but could only take a 15" saddle! It isn't hard to find the last rib, go to the flank behind the ribcage where it is soft, bring your fingers forwards until you find the firmer last rib, then track it up and forwards diagonally, then follow the same line until it disappears under the back muscle. The part of the saddle that contacts the back with the rider in the plate must NOT extend beyond this line. Try a a few saddles, they don't have to be a decent fit at all, and see whether they end on the last rib, this will give you an idea of seat size and allow you to check any saddles before having the fitter out.

If the saddle is a little too small for you then you will probably need a decent rear gusset to keep the back of the saddle up (ie a deeper rear panel under the cantle) to keep you in the middle of the saddle and stop all the weight being on the back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top