Circle Y Park and Trail rider fit question

[ERNurseonaHorse]

Hello! I’m switching disciplines and have a rider saddle fit question.

I’ve been riding in a borrowed Circle Y Park and Trail saddle that I really like! But it is a 16in seat and I can’t get my stirrups short enough (as it is a borrowed saddle I don’t want to place extra holes).

I’m considering buying this type of saddle for everyday use, but maybe a 15in seat would be a better fit? I am petite, 115lbs, 5’1". I can fit a hand behind me in the 16in seat and it seems like I sit in the middle of the saddle. I don’t feel loose though.

My previous saddle was a jump saddle (17in). I checked to see if my local tack shop had a 15in Park and Trail on hand to try, and they do not.

Thank you for the fit advice!

[Training_Cupid]

I have a Circle Y Lady Trail, 15". I’m 5’2" and this saddle fits me well (though not my horse sadly), the seat is actually quite roomy and the stirrups do go short enough.

[myamego]

I will be switching to a western saddle soon as well! I’ve read that as a general rule, western saddle seat size is 2 inches smaller than english saddle seat size, and it does sound like a 15-15.5" would fit you pretty well. Do you have your heart set on this certain brand and model of saddle? As someone who is also not familiar with how a western saddle should fit me, I plan on going to a consignment shop and sitting in a bunch of different saddles to see what I prefer. It might help to have something to compare that 16" saddle to!

[cutter99]

You can always have the fenders trimmed and stirrups leathers shortened.

[Palm_Beach]

OP, I’m about your size and ride in a 15" Circle Y with custom fenders. You send in your inseam. I felt squished in the 14" seat size. I rode in a 16" English saddle when I rode English. You should probably go to a tack shop and sit in some.

[ERNurseonaHorse]

Thank you all for the help!

[beau159]

The general rule of thumb would be that you go 2" smaller for a western saddle. So hypothetically, a 15" would ft you. However, if you have the chance to sit/ride in different sized saddles, do it. Everyone will have their own preference on how you like your saddle to fit you.

I am outside the norm. I ride in a 17.5" Tad Coffin jumping saddle but barrel race in a 14.5" Circle Y barrel saddle. That is what is comfortable to me. (although I am okay in a 15" barrel racing saddle, I prefer a 14.5")