Ok, I need a crash course:

[Alagirl]

I went to TSC to grab a few things (the Walmart next door does not carry)

and smelling the hay and the leather I realized, I am missing a horse in my life.

Now:
outright ownership, going solo seems frivolous at this time.

I have a nephew - who is gainfully employed by the county - has inherited the cowboy gene. Not sure from were, but he’s gone country.
I caught him at one occasion kissing up to the horses.

I am not sure if he has ever considered owning or riding… but Aunty won’t mind to enable! :winkgrin:

He is a bit taller than me, and quiet buff (he’s a copper…) and since he is all cowboy, English would be out of the question.

Now, the problem:
If (and I am iffing here, nothing has come even close to fruition!) I were to share a pony with him…

How do I measure a saddle that hopefully fits both of us?

I would be gunning for a a campaigner type gelding, one that could be trained to do mounted copper duty (after all, the guy is a deputy…), so no dreams of the Olympics for me, just somebody to split a ride with (and I am ever so keenly aware of the pitfalls!)

How do you measure a saddle?
What type do you use for casual riding?

So far this is a brain fart…really.
But I am thinking this direction has the hint of promise!

[Lori]

I take a 15" english saddle and a 13" western saddle. This link has a nice photo of how to measure western. http://www.cowboyway.com/HowTo/MeasureSaddleSeat.htm

I like the way Billy Cook saddles feel, so that is what I purchased. Your best bet is to try different ones to see what fits the two of you the best. Most importantly, though, it should fit the horse. Gullet widths vary, as do the bars.

Of course, if you want to go comfy and not quite english, you can always go aussie.

[Bluey]

Most standard sized adults take around a 16.5" to 17" English saddle and a 15" to 16" western.

As with so much, not all behinds are built the same.
There are all kinds of saddles out there to fit the differences.

Many western men saddles tend to have a flatter seat with little rise and women’s a bit narrower, more built-up twist to the seat, to accommodate our wider thighs.

Could you try several saddles, to see what style and seat size feels best?
Maybe take some lessons in a western barn and see the kind of saddle that fits you best?
Who knows, you may find there your horse too.

If you are buying a horse, you will first have to fit the horse.

[HillnDale]

^^^ yes.

I happen to find trail saddles (think Tucker or Abetta) more comfortable than Aussies, or Western brand saddles, whether called trail saddles or not.

To make a saddle comfortable for different butts, get a sheepskin (or other somewhat bulky) seat saver.

[Alagirl]

Sweet.
I can always count on you guys.

Of course one would not want to put the saddle under the horse…

Just whenever I go to TSC I get acute horse withdrawl symptoms. :sigh:

But I guess riding lessons would be in order before getting into the deep end of things.

Liking horses and the idea of ‘Cowboy’ does not equal wanting to ride and shell out the money.

[ezduzit]

Don’t know if this helps but I found out recently that the western saddle measurement has to do with the length of your leg, not the size of your butt. I’m 5’6" and use a 16 " saddle.

[Renae]

Western seat sizes will also vary depending on what type of saddle you are using. The same person will ride in a smaller barrel racing saddle than a pleasure/roping/general purpose saddle. 16" is a pretty average western seat sizes for average size people riding in a pleasure type saddle.

Lori you must be a very tiny person, the seat sizes you said are normally children’s sizes.

[Bluey]

I am 4’11" and have a 27" inseam.

I ride in a kids 16" Stubben Rex, a 14 1/2" ranch saddle and 16" reining saddle.

I think that everyone is a bit different, everyone rides differently and we are lucky there are so many saddles of all kinds out there and one that may fit just right for us and what we do.

You have to try several to see which one works best for you.

I like my English saddle best, don’t like the slick fork, Wade saddles at all, they feel like riding on a bump on a log, I like small swells in my western saddles.

Many say the Wades fit them best, but then they cheat with bucking rolls for the missing swells.

[VaqueroToro]

I think going for some lessons might be the best way to go about it – not only will you probably get to ride a couple of different horses, but you also might get to try out a variety of saddles and figure out what fits you best/what you feel most comfortable in.

I love the barrel saddle I use the most – the deep seat makes you feel really secure. I also have a rancher with a more open seat and more sloped cantle and that I feel like I’m swimming in it to the point of getting put into a chair seat frequently from that plus how the fenders are hung.

I’ve never ridden in a Wade type saddle, but most do look like they won’t force you into a non-centered seat with the way the fenders and stirrups hang.