Bucks County Saddle? & IS MY BUTT TOO BIG?

[Belmont]

Anyone ever heard of or ridden in a Bucks County “Buckingham” saddle? I’m looking at a used one and can’t find anything on them.

My current saddle is a 16.5" (always thought it was a 17" until I broke out the tape measure yesterday). Now I wonder if a 16.5" is actually too small for my butt. I was in denial thinking it was a 17" and maybe my butt is too big.

I feel like now that I know it is a 16.5" it feels small.

https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/t1/s720x720/156462_730641501649_1989030066_n.jpg?lvh=1
https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/s720x720/564862_730641361929_1564600993_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/q80/s720x720/1150815_10153194116865484_460433873_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/s720x720/389223_730640852949_1444795492_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/q80/s720x720/995255_10153554598690484_417166028_n.jpg

[hunterrider23]

Much too small.

[DeucesWild11]

Too small!

[alternate_universe]

IMO you should be looking at a 17.5 That 16.5 looks like it hurts.

[jn4jenny]

[QUOTE=alternate_universe;7384366]
IMO you should be looking at a 17.5 That 16.5 looks like it hurts.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. There’s nothing big about the OP’s butt. It’s just a 16.5" saddle built for someone who’s oh, perhaps 5’0"-5’2". Based on these pictures, a 17.5" would probably suit the rider nicely.

Bucks County Saddlery was a house, contract brand for–you guessed it–Bucks County Saddlery in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I’m sure they could tell you more about it. www.bcsaddlery.com.

[paulaedwina]

Indeed try a 17.5. It has less to do with butt size and more to do with femur length as I understand it.

Paula

[cleozowner]

A 16.5 is a kid’s saddle in my mind! You will likely be more comfortable/effective with a bigger saddle–you’re kind of perched on top of this one.

[Jumper_girl221]

OP. I’m certainly not huge by any means (and have noassatall syndrome ) and I ride in a 18 1/2"…I’m just tall.

My hiney aches just looking at those pictures!

I think both you, and your horse, will be more comfortable in a larger size. Remember when you ride in a too small seat its focusing your weight right under the cantle of the saddle which can cause soreness issues eventually (or immediately if you have a delicate flower like mine…).

[ParadoxFarm]

It’s not your butt! BUT, yes, saddle is too small. And it will probably feel weird to you for a while riding in a properly fitted saddle. Good luck in your search.

[findeight]

Saddle size is determined by the length of thigh not width of butt;).

Measure from knee to crotch. Your butt is fine, your thigh bone is too long. BTW thigh bone length is not related to height- that’s why I at 5’2 fit the same seat size as somebody 5’10" while she and her 5’10" BFF don’t fit each other’s saddles.

Seat size can vary a little from brand to brand despite measuring the same depending on flap configuration, twist and the seat itself so you have to ride in them before deciding.

[RatWrangler]

Paulaedwina is right–saddle size has a lot to do with length of your thigh. A friend of mine is only 5’2" but rides an 18" dressage saddle.

[vxf111]

You look really jammed into that saddle! And you are not big just normal adult sized.

I have only seen a BCS brand saddle once, in a consignment room. I thought it was low quality, stiff leather. The leather was on par with the lower-leven Collegiate/Toulouse type saddles. I didn’t take note of the shape/general functionality-- just touched it and moved on. I suppose it might be worthwhile for the right price, but as a general matter I was not impressed.

[Belmont]

Well as luck has it, the Bucks County Saddle is too small anyway. So I will continue into my search. I was worried that it was pretty cheapy, but I don’t have a huge budget. I’m eyeballing a couple used higher quality saddles though.

As for the saddle, I figured it was getting too small, but I had never realized it was so small until I measured it. I just kept using it and riding in it, which is why I probably get so frustrated with my eq and inability to ride well. I was amazed when I sat in a friends Circuit that I felt like a totally new person. I always thought it was just a flat Crosby compared to her cushy knee rolls.

Also glad to know it’s not just my butt (which is getting bigger :disgust:). I’m going to go sit in a few 17" and 17.5" at the local tack stores to see which fit best, though I know they change from brand to brand.