What size english saddle?

Question

i've always ridden western, and my saddle is about 16". I'm 5'9" and 140lb, will the size of my dressage saddle be different?

thanks!

Answer 1

Unfortunately, western and english saddles are measured differently. While I agree that you'll most likely be a 17 or 17.5 inch in a saddle, you still need to account for proper flap length which is VERY important in a dressage saddle.

Since you're on the taller side I'm assuming you have longer legs - I'm about your height and had the hardest time trying to find a dressage saddle that fit my leg! If your knee is coming over the front of the flap, it is an incorrect fit and will not have a good effect on your position. Although your seat may be a 17", you might even need an 18" saddle to account for your leg unless you go the custom route.

If you don't have a well stocked tack shop in your area, a great option is to test ride saddles through Dover Saddlery. Flaps and cuts of saddles run so differently from brand to brand that it's hard to figure out what works for you.

Happy saddle shopping!

Answer 2

Okay the inch measurements are just the length of the seat, and they do not change with the different saddle styles so if you use a 16" seat in a western saddle, you will still need about a 16" seat in an english saddle. The western pommel may look bigger with a horn and the cantle is higher, but you generally stop measuring a saddle before you go over the cantle. The saddles are different shapes but your butt stays the same size no matter what dicipline you ride. The only time that you add inches to a seat measurement when picking a saddle is when fitting a cutback (saddleseat) saddle because the pommel is cut away for gated withers and is standardly cut 4" so if you were a 16" seat in western and hunter, then you would be a 20" in a cutback. You will need about a 16" dressage saddle, you are not heavy so you probably do not need a deep seat but you should always sit in it before you buy it. Good Luck.

Answer 3

The best idea would be to go to a tack store and try sitting in a few and get assistance with fitting. The general rule is that you should be able to fit a hand in front of and behind yourself on an english saddle if it fits properly. You'll probably be somewhere around 17.5". I am 140lbs and 5'5 and ride in about a 17" saddle. It really depends on how you're built. Don't forget that english saddles must be much more carefully fitted to the horse than western saddles as well. Find someone experienced to help you check the fit of the saddle for you and your horse. Good luck!

Answer 4

Most adults need a 17" or 18" saddle. I don't know about western saddles, but english saddles also come in different widths for the horse so you need a qualified saddle fitter, who is used to doing english saddles, to come with lots of saddles for you and your horse to try together as one saddle may fit you or your horse, but not the other. As well as the different widths and seat size, different saddle makes and models are different shapes and so a wide 18 inch saddle by one company might fit, while a different companies saddle of the same size would not.

Find a good saddle fitter and explain what you want, what type your horse is, and what you want from the saddle. You should then be able to make an appointment and they will bring a good selection of appropriate saddles for you to try.

Answer 5

Yes, english and western saddles are measured differently. Try a 17 1/2" or 18" english. If you have a local tack shop available, get over there and try out a few : )

Answer 6

besides the indisputable fact which you will probably slot in a fifteen" saddle, a sixteen" would probably be the extra acceptable determination for you. the final element to do is circulate sit down on some at a tack save, or different persons's you realize. while sitting interior the saddle, you will desire to have sufficient room for the width of your hand in the back of your butt interior the saddle. no longer plenty extra, no longer much less. English saddle sizes are measured from the metallic tack on the front to the middle of the cantle.

Answer 7

The best idea would be go to a English store or something like that. But my Western saddle is about 16'' and I'm about 5'3'' and about 150lb. [ i don't really know if this helps ] I think that my English saddle is about 15'' . So I really think you should go to an English store and ask them to help you.

Answer 8

All of the above are great tips... If you are willing to spend the money you can get custom builts that are specifically designed to fit your seat exactly and the horse. They use this interesting tool to 'cast' an exact measurement on the back of the horse. Kinda cool. My mom did it and she was VERY happy with that sadde.... though it was very expensive. I suggest this for someone who is planning LONG term english riding and is VERY serious about it.

Answer 9

get a 16" or 16 1/2" inch