Saddle sizing (17.5 / 18")

grhands

grhands

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Hi there. I was wondering if anyone could tell me please if there is any significant difference between the 17.5" tree and 18" tree on a saddle (in this case an international event).

My 16.3hh Irish Sports Horse is usually a MW, I have a size 10 / 12 bottom!! I was in the mindset that the extra 1/2" would not make too much difference however I'd be interested in some better informed opinions regarding this. I've had a new international event become available to me at a very good price, needless to say though it is a 18" and his current international event is a 17.5".

Thanks
 
An extra half inch can make a saddle quite a lot bigger, however I have a 17" WOW saddle that fits me like a glove yet the 18" thorowgood fits very well too and I don't feel "lost" in it
 
I take a 17.5 inch saddle because I have a size 14/16 bum, ladies who are bigger need a bigger saddle in order to fit their dimension.
However, my boy had a 17.5 Wintec, and it was too big for him, that is to say it sat too far back [angle taken from the last rib upwards to his spine]
He now has a 17 inch saddle [a Jeffries] which fits him but is pretty neat on me.
He used to buck a bit with the Wintec, and it did not sit level because it extended as far as that area along his back where it went up [are you with me?] so it had to go.

So YOU can take a 17 inch saddle and this will probably be fine for your horse too.
If you had an 18 inch saddle there is a danger it might be too big for him, but even more likely it will not help your seat.
Cobs in particular can be difficult as they may need a small saddle [being short backed] but often are purchased by larger ladies due to their weight carrying capacity.
The width of the saddle is absolutely related to the shape of the horse.
Jeffries seem only to make two widths, but most modern saddle with changeable gullets come in 3 to 5 widths.
 
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grhands said:
Oh dear I think I'm more confused than ever. What is the overall principle behind tree sizes?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean? The horse's rib cage determines how long a panel the horse can take, but different models have different length panels compared to the tree length - ours are all compact because we fit so many adults on natives - the opposite might be Wintec or Albion where the panels stick out beyond the cantle (the end of the tree). The panel but not extend beyond the 18th rib and of course you must start out making sure you place the saddle back behind the shoulder blade of you may up with a saddle which is too long when in the right place!

Seat length is related to seat depth - an 18" deep seated dressage saddle will feel a lot smaller than a flat seated 18 show saddle. Then when you consider that the nail head (you measure from the nail head in a straight line through the air to the middle of the top of the cantle) can vary slightly in where it is placed...

Some taller riders will need a larger seat, but often as not a more forward cut and/or longer flap may be more suitable, with a smaller seat size, seat size is more related to your hip measurement in my opinion.

Hope that helps. The best thing is to work with a good fitter who can bring a selection of saddles - trying to guess about saddle on ebay etc makes things much harder.
 
My K2 SJ saddle is an 18" and my Albion dressage is 17.5" so suppose it varies with manufacturers as well. No one who has ridden in the K2 has ever commented on it feeling bigger either but these were the saddles that fitted my horse
 
For the rider it is the length of leg between the hip and the knee that decides the length required. Sometimes rider needs a saddle that would be too long on the horse

Saddles are measured diagonally from the button to the middle of the cantle. some saddles however have large panels that stick out way behind this, making them fit longer on the horse

http://www.thorowgood.com/fitting_guide_01.html

http://www.thorowgood.com/types.html
 
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