Would I fit in a 16.5" saddle?

[surreygirl17]

As above. I'm 5'6 with short legs (height is in my back), approx 31" inside leg and size 8-10 (approx 9 stone or just under).
I've been offered a 16.5" GP saddle but not sure if I'll fit in it and if it will look silly on my 15.2h welsh D (he takes max 17.5" size). Any ideas?

 

[fatponee]

I'm a bit shorter than you, 5' 2", but am a size 8-10 also, and a 16.5" saddle is my perfect fit so I would have thought you'll be fine.

As for looking silly on your horse, it depends on his build. I rode my 15.2hh TB in a 16.5" and it looked fine.

Hope this helps!

 

[cob&onion]

Am in a 16, 5" at moment for backing welshie, we need a 17, amtall at 5ft9.5 and size 10 and I find it too small.

 

[YorksG]

The current Appy really doesn't do well in anything bigger than a 16.5 inch saddle. I am 5'6" tall, with most of my height in my legs, also size 10, I would prefer a bigger saddle (according to the working out by measuring thingy, I should have at the very least 18", and bigger whould be better because of the length of my femurs) but we manage.

 

[Polos Mum]

Can you have a sit on it to try. My new one is 16'5 I'm 5'4 9 ish stone and it fits perfectly!! I suspect different makes fit dierently so a sit on is best

 

[Mithras]

I would think you would, because you're about the same size as me. Everyone tries to get you into a 17" or bigger saddle and says it doesn't matter, but theres nothing worse than swimming about in a saddle. And I'm sue horses like shorter saddles too!

 

[lucindakay]

i'm 5ft8 and a slim build and one of the ex-racehorses at work that i ride has a 16"5 saddle and it really does affect your riding, the trainer today said it could cause back problems for the horse because it can cause a rocking motion on the panels.. if that makes sense? so now because i am the sole rider of all the horses there we have to get all the horses in 16"5 saddles into bigger ones, i wouldl be lying if i didnt feel guilty but they shouldnt have 16hh+ in such small saddles anyways!

 

[EmmaB]

You should be fine! My current saddle is 16.5 and I'm a size 12, my fat butt fits in it haha.

 

[L&M]

I am a similiar height/weight but found the 16.5'' I tried too small for anything heavy duty such as hunting, and find a 17'' a lot more comfortable, although fine for short bouts of school work.

What does your saddler think?

 

[SecretAgentBilly]

I'm the same height and weight and my saddle is 16'', so i would think a 16.5'' would be okay. Although a 17'' might be more comfy!

 

[albeg]

I'd recommend riding in it before you decide. I'm 5'4" (ish), similar inside leg height (maybe slightly shorter), similar weight, and my saddle is a 17" as it was the most comfortable and recommended by the saddler, and I'm definitely not swimming in it. (was looking for a photo side on of me in the saddle, but can't find any suitable)

 

[Pigeon]

Me too, I'm 5'9, 9 stone and size 10, horse has very short back but a 16.5 fits me well!

 

[mollichop]

Try it first. My new tb is short coupled and couldn't take bigger than a 16.5" which his previous owner had made for him.

My saddle didn't fit him and thought there was no way I would be comfy in it as 5'8" and medium build but it's the lovliest saddle i've ever sat on so don't rule it out!