I sent photos of my pony to The Saddle Bank and they suggested I get a 16.5 inch saddle due to my guy’s short back. I currently ride in a 17.5 and I’m concerned a 16.5 won’t fit my butt. I’m not sure what to do.
Find something with a modified panel/pony panel. I’ve had both Schleese & Custom Saddlery saddles for my short coupled critters. I’ve never sacrificed my seat size, that’s just dumb.
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there’s more to fitting a short back than simply seat size. Upswept panels can allow enough rider room, without going past the horse’s last rib-spine connection.
Likewise, a saddle with a flat middle section of the seat can be used in a smaller size than the “same size” saddle but with U seat shape
What are you riding in now? Do you have a picture of it girthed up but no pad?
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For my short backed horse I went to another brand, L’apogee. That’s what the saddle fitter said to do, so I did. Fits very very well.
I’d work with a local fitter. Dropping a full inch could really impact your riding.
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Lots of things to consider here. It’s not always best to use smaller panels on a larger seat, that can have some negative consequences, but not always. You can also be a bit more flexible with seat size depending on the seat. If the saddle is more open seated vs deep, it will ride differently.
I had a short backed horse and he went in a saddle that was too long for him by textbook definition. The saddle wasn’t ridiculously long, nothing crazy, but he had a compact build. He was never sore nor did he have any issues.
When I downsized to a 16.5 Prestige (closer to 17 in though) with smaller panels that was a textbook fit in both length, width, and tree shape, he hated it.
So I learned to be less offended by a saddle that’s slightly too long, especially if the horse isn’t concerned about it and his body workers notice issues.
So how long would the 17.5 be? Would it be really too long? Would upswept panels work? Can you fit into a 17?
I’m always attracted to horses with short backs, so I’m familiar with the struggle!
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Patrick Saddlery was able to help me with a REALLY hard to fit horse with lordosis, a short back and a fat rider. Price point isn’t awful.
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I’m riding in a 17.5 wide Wintec dressage saddle. I can get a photo of him tomorrow with it without a pad.
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I think I’d fit in a 17 depending on how deep, but pretty sure a 16.5 wouldn’t work. I’m going to keep looking locally so I can try some first.
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