I visited Dover yesterday in search of a saddle for my new horse, and the woman who helped me basically said I needed both a long and forward flap. I am a little under 5’5 maybe 138 lbs. I thought this flap size was mostly for the taller rider…I don’t consider myself to be very tall and I think my legs are pretty average lengthwise. I decided to measure myself, 32.5 inseam and 19 inches from hip to knee. Is this what is considered “long” in the saddle industry?
at 5’5" a 32.5 inseam is quite long. I’m almost 5’7" and I have a 32" inseam and am also considered long legged, deceptively so according to the Delgrange rep who measured me for my saddle.
I can never find half chaps or tall boots that are tall enough (my custom dehners are 21" but that included 1.5" for drop). Most boots are okay out of the box but get too short as they break in.
I’ve got a 32" inseam and have forward flap saddles, long breeches, and extra tall boots.
[QUOTE=EqRider112;8325008]
I visited Dover yesterday in search of a saddle for my new horse, and the woman who helped me basically said I needed both a long and forward flap. I am a little under 5’5 maybe 138 lbs. I thought this flap size was mostly for the taller rider…I don’t consider myself to be very tall and I think my legs are pretty average lengthwise. I decided to measure myself, 32.5 inseam and 19 inches from hip to knee. Is this what is considered “long” in the saddle industry?[/QUOTE]
I’m a bit taller than you, but have a similar hip-to-knee length and I much much prefer a forward flap. As to the length, that is a fairly long inseam, I think. Mine is not that long, so I’m fine with a regular flap. I apparently just have a short calf!
Yes, you have long legs, particularly for someone 5’5"! I’m 5’9" and have a 33" inseam and am 20" hip to knee and definitely need a forward flap.
I am one inch shorter that you on inseam and hip to knee and I am 5 foot 3 and 3/4…that 3/4’s of an inch matters lol. I need a long flap, not necessarily super forward as I do ride with a more open hip so it really depends on the forward part how your thigh rests feeling most comfortable. I like to see riders go around with no stirrups as they seem to find the best position that way. I would try that and see where you are at and then use that position to determine the flap angle. Length wise you will need a long flap.
PS Also look for adjustable stirrup bars, you will want to move them back on some horses 
You would be a long and maybe a forward flap in our saddles as well. If you’d like, I can post some pics of the differences between the flaps.
[QUOTE=IndyEquestrian;8326204]
You would be a long and maybe a forward flap in our saddles as well. If you’d like, I can post some pics of the differences between the flaps.[/QUOTE]
I would love to see pics myself, if you don’t mind! I’m starting to think that I personally need both a long and fwd and not just a fwd!
Yep, that’s long. I have a 32"ish inseam, I’m 5’ 8 1/2". I ride in a 18.5" seat and my average flaps are NOT forward enough for jumping length stirrups.
Here are a couple of links that I hope work. . .They should give you an idea of the differences.
Just a forward flap:
https://www.facebook.com/BlissofLondon/photos/pb.234657373256127.-2207520000.1442937633./624838554238005/?type=3&theater
Standard Flap:
https://www.facebook.com/BlissofLondon/photos/pb.234657373256127.-2207520000.1442937912./541530475902147/?type=3&theater
I have a long forward flap coming in this week that I can take a picture of as well! These I posted from the Bliss facebook page. I will put a few demos beside each other for comparison and get some pics so the difference is easy to see.
That is really useful, IndyEquestrian! Thank you! The catalogs always just draw the dotted line to show where the fwd flap is and that’s so unhelpful! The long fwd would be cool to see too, as would the side-by-sides! Thank you!
Also, that second fwd flap saddle is GORGEOUS.
Yep, our measurements almost identical and I take a long forward flap, extra tall in boots, long in breeches. I never thought my legs were that long either because I’m not that tall, I just know that nothing average length or height ever fits me!
*fixed typo
