Tall People - What size saddle do you ride in??

[3Beasties]

I am about 6'1" and my current saddles are 18". I have been having major schooling problems (see my earlier post - http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4462389/an/0/page/1#4462389 ) and am thinking of getting a new saddle to see if that helps.

I rode my friends coblet tonight and his saddle was only 17" which I though I would feel huge on but I actually found it very comfortable and felt very secure in my seat, my leg position was also much better!

Now I am not sure what size saddle I should go for.

What size do you use and how tall are you?

 

[Bowen4Horses]

i'm not tall, i'm 5'4" (but have long legs), i ride in a 16.5inch. and it fits me well. i tried a 17.5 earlier. i hated it. i slid around everywhere in it. i never realised what an enormous difference an inch can make!

 

[Chico Mio]

I had an 18" that came on loan when I bought FB. When I bought a 17.5" (because he is short backed, I always felt the 18" was too big for him and it was for me) it made a huge difference. I'm only 5'2" but ride long. I think it's more a question of 'width' than height with saddles though. OH is 5'11" and has an 18" saddle on our mare but TBH he can use my saddle quite happily because he is pretty lightweight and has less bum than I do!

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

I'm 5'9" and usually I take 18" in saddles (I'm a size 14) but in some brands such as Stubben, I find 18" too big. It really depends on the brand and style of saddle.

 

[CrazyMare]

I am 5ft7, so not as tall as you, but my inside leg is 34". I ride in a 17" saddle, I had an Ideal and now a Barnsby. OH's Stubben 18" is HUGE, and I slide around.

 

[kerilli]

tbh it depends more on the size of your bum than the length of your legs, imho! length of legs determines how far forward you need the knee rolls etc etc, but not much else. for flatwork i'm in a 17" saddle (i'm 5'10") and for jumping a 17.5" iirc. different makes fit differently too, it's a case of trying quite a few, i think. the right saddle just feels perfect and makes it easy for your legs to just stay in the right place...

 

[3Beasties]

Umm, I buy 36" leg in trousers but they are a bit to long so I am probably about a 35".

Would you lot mind looking at the pictures I posted earlier and see what you think.

The saddle I will be getting is a Thorowgood T6 or a kent and master so it will be very similar to the one I am riding on in the pictures.

I'm thinking I may be better with a 17.5" saddle.....

 

[3Beasties]

[ QUOTE ]
tbh it depends more on the size of your bum than the length of your legs, imho! length of legs determines how far forward you need the knee rolls etc etc, but not much else. for flatwork i'm in a 17" saddle (i'm 5'10") and for jumping a 17.5" iirc. different makes fit differently too, it's a case of trying quite a few, i think. the right saddle just feels perfect and makes it easy for your legs to just stay in the right place...

[/ QUOTE ]

Not really sure about the size of my bum! I am a size 10 on top but a size 14 below (I have big hips!)

 

[Pixxie]

im 5ft 6 with reasonably long legs and i have a 17.5" which i feel very comfortable and secure in, it is an albion K2 GP so the knee rolls are quite big but im comfortable in that seat size

x

 

[Nudibranch]

I'm 5'11 with 34" inside leg and ride in a 17"... I also happen to think my bum is quite big but 17" seems to be just right

 

[Vizslak]

Im 5'5'' (AND a half!!!) lol and I ride in 16.5 inch saddles on my neddies.

 

[ali87uk]

I'll go against the trend, im only 5ft4 and ride in a 17.5, apparently i have long thighs (!) when i tried the 17 inch, my knees went over the knee rolls so my position was much better in 17.5, then again different makes of saddle come up differently!

 

[cokelly]

I'm 5ft9...ride in a 17 and half inch general purpose saddle!

My saddler told me length of your thighs determines how big a seat you need...

 

[hellybelly6]

I am a bottom heavy tall girl and find my 17.2" fits my horse and me to perfection.

Its not always the size which can make a difference, but also the shape and cut of the saddle as you have found out from trying the cob's saddle.

Its a matter of trial and error to find a saddle which you and your horse are comfortable with.

My horse is a 16.3 clydesdale x gelding and I am a size 16 5'7" lass.

Good luck in finding the right sized saddle.

 

[Lobelia_Overhill]

6'2", 36" inside leg. I think the size of the saddle depends on the horse, I'm currently borrowing the saddle I used to ride in - it felt fine on the school horse, but seems a bit roomy on Don, I've ordered a 17.5" Thorowgood saddle which I should hopefully get next week ...

 

[3Beasties]

I would be interested to know how you find it When it arrives. I went to my local Saddlery today and he said I definitely need an 18", I was thinking I should go for a 17.5". I am also looking at getting a Thorowgood.

 

[skewby]

I am 5'9 with a 36" inside leg. I have just gone up to an 18" GP with extra front flaps and for the first time in 20 years my knees don't stick out over the front of it when I put my stirrups up to jumping length! I am over the moon! (And the jumps - it has enormously improved my confidence!)