Measuring a Saddle

[Malda]

I’m looking at used dressage saddles on Ebay, specifically medium/narrow which is very hard to find. Sometimes the seller isn’t sure of the width and sends me a picture measuring the front of the saddle.

This is just an example, if you can see the link.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Schleese…MAAOSwvFleleQl

I don’t know what the inches would be for a medium or medium/narrow width.

I’m specifically looking for a Schleese. I’ve ridden in one and I’m exactly the body type they make these for, I just can’t afford a new one. I prefer a dressage saddle for trail riding and would love to finally ride in a saddle that doesn’t hurt after thirty minutes.

Thank you!

[sheltona01]

That measurement means nothing unless you are comparing the same model in the same spot and the top of the panel does not count. That can be different.

[Jchambers]

I see there is a photo of the serial number - you can email Schleese and they will tell you what width tree the is. Keep in mind the tree may have been adjusted as well after it was made.

[angelssix]

@Malda

I’m looking at used dressage saddles on Ebay, specifically medium/narrow which is very hard to find. Sometimes the seller isn’t sure of the width and sends me a picture measuring the front of the saddle.

This is just an example, if you can see the link.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Schleese…MAAOSwvFleleQl

I don’t know what the inches would be for a medium or medium/narrow width.

I’m specifically looking for a Schleese. I’ve ridden in one and I’m exactly the body type they make these for, I just can’t afford a new one. I prefer a dressage saddle for trail riding and would love to finally ride in a saddle that doesn’t hurt after thirty minutes.

Thank you!

Did a saddle fitter tell you that your horse required a medium/medium narrow? I have the tracings that my fitter took along with specific recommendations for saddles that she knew would work for my guy (he is using an adjustable now, as he will change once he is getting fit, yada, yada) and I did use those tracings to get an idea of what might work for him before I was able to find the exact saddle she recommended (it actually came from another client that also used it as a starter saddle for her guy and it was in fantastic shape!).

Without those it’s anyone’s guess at what measurements are a medium or a medium narrow, as every saddler may have a different standard.

@sheltona01 has outlined that part already, but from personal experience, it can vary quite widely from one manufacturer to another and from one model to another.

[SonnysMom]

I was under the impression that it is pretty easy for a Schleese rep to adjust the width of the saddle for the horse based on wither tracings. Therefore I would think that if it looks like the saddle should fit but be a bit wide then you can have that adjusted.

[Malda]

@angelssix

Did a saddle fitter tell you that your horse required a medium/medium narrow? I have the tracings that my fitter took along with specific recommendations for saddles that she knew would work for my guy (he is using an adjustable now, as he will change once he is getting fit, yada, yada) and I did use those tracings to get an idea of what might work for him before I was able to find the exact saddle she recommended (it actually came from another client that also used it as a starter saddle for her guy and it was in fantastic shape!).

Without those it’s anyone’s guess at what measurements are a medium or a medium narrow, as every saddler may have a different standard.

@sheltona01 has outlined that part already, but from personal experience, it can vary quite widely from one manufacturer to another and from one model to another.

Yes, a year ago I had a saddle fitter look at my horse. I can’t remember which brand she represented, she was actually fitting a friend’s horse so I paid her look at mine. We tried several different saddles and medium/medium narrow was the better fit.

My horse is a 12 year old, 15hh QH, and definitely does not fit in a wide. The current saddle is a used Custom Saddle medium/narrow and fits her well. Unfortunately I’m not so comfortable in it.

@Jchambers Thank you for the suggestion of contacting Schleese about sizes. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.

I’m still saving as I’m looking. Might end up with enough to buy new.

[angelssix]

@Malda

Yes, a year ago I had a saddle fitter look at my horse. I can’t remember which brand she represented, she was actually fitting a friend’s horse so I paid her look at mine. We tried several different saddles and medium/medium narrow was the better fit.

My horse is a 12 year old, 15hh QH, and definitely does not fit in a wide. The current saddle is a used Custom Saddle medium/narrow and fits her well. Unfortunately I’m not so comfortable in it.

@Jchambers Thank you for the suggestion of contacting Schleese about sizes. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.

I’m still saving as I’m looking. Might end up with enough to buy new.

Honestly, if it was a year ago, they change more than we realize in that amount of time. Good luck on your search.

[AnastasiaBeaverhousen]

I believe that most saddles made in Europe are measured in centimeters, although that may have changed in recent years.

Also, while you can get an an idea of what width of saddle might fit your horse, sizing using words like Narrow, Medium, and Wide are meaningless
it varies from manufacturer.

A medium wide usually fit my horse and I nearly passed on a sweet deal because it is a wide and I wasnt going to bother trying it because I thought it wouldnt fit.

The price was right and so I thought why not?
And as it turned out, it fits both of us very well.

You also have to look at not just the withers. A saddle might be the right width, but not the right shape for the rest of it’s back. Or it might not be comfortable for you.

So, tracings will definitely help you weed out saddles that wont fit, and save you a lot of time. but the only way you will know for sure is to put it on the horse and sit in it.

Finding the right saddle is an adventure ,but really taking your time up front saves you a lot of money and trouble at the end.

Good luck

[jodyjumper]

If you are buying used, don’t forget the flocking will compress with use. Tried my friends saddles, two of the same model, on my horse. The one stamped 32 was much more narrow than the 31.