Saddle Sizing Help

[postgradmess]

Hey y’all, it’s my first time posting so bear with me please!

I’ve ridden hunter-jumper on and off for most of my life, but most of my serious riding was as a barrel racer. My western saddle back then was a 14 or a 14.5 seat (I’m not quite sure which) but I was also fairly comfortable zipping around in my little sister’s 13 – sometimes more so since i liked the security. Anyways, I’m at a point where it makes sense for me to start looking around online for a nice used hunter-jumper saddle. I’ve been told that in order to move to an english saddle i should add 2 inches, which would put me in a 16. The problem is, when I use my measurements to find a size, that comes out way too small. I’m 5’7" and 130 lbs with reasonably long legs. Help!

In addition to that, I’ve stumbled across the saddle that I used to dream about as a kid within my budget in a 15.5 – that’s just not going to work is it? The deluded part of me that really really wants it is rationalizing that maybe I need a small seat with forward flaps, but I’m probably kidding myself.

just wanted to note, as well, that obviously any saddle i look at will be sized to my horse first!

[soloudinhere]

No, a 15.5 is not going to work for someone 5’7". That size is designed and proportioned for children.

I’d start at 17.5 for someone of that height and adjust for a specific saddle as needed.

[Bogie]

Sorry, a 15.5" saddle English saddle is really child sized.

Yes, you may get away with a “smaller” seat size and a more forward flap (think 17") but you’d also need a very flat seat. Some of the eventing cross country saddles are cut that way but they are not traditional enough for most hunters.

I’m 5’11 with long legs and my saddles are either 17.5" with very forward flaps or 18". Anything with a deep or half deep seat is too small.

[Scribbler]

I’m 5’5", and a bit heavier than you. I ride in an 18 " both dressage and jumping. I could ride in a 17.5, especially if it had a more forward flap, but I like the room in my 18. So the exact size might vary depending on how deep or shallow the seat is, and how forward the flaps.

When started re-riding and went to lessons, I did a long stint in saddles that were too small for me. The big thing in a jump saddle is whether your knees and the flaps/knee rolls align. It is not fun to have your knees shooting off into thin air! So one of the key measurements is the length of your upper leg from knee to hip. Another key measurement is the size of your actual fleshy butt in the seat :). You don’t want it hanging off the back of the saddle.

In a western saddle, your legs drop down straight. As long as you can cram your bottom into the seat, there isn’t as much to fit to the rider as in an English saddle. They are more forgiving.

[sdlbredfan]

In case the OP (original poster) forgot, English saddles are measured differently than Western. Western is straight from front to back of seat. English is diagonally from pommel rivet to center of cantle.

I agree, for the height and length of leg, a 17.5 or even 18 inch would be best. The length of leg is even more important than the size of one’s butt in saddle fit.

[jaybird660]

As said above, 15.5 is a child’s saddle and the balance, flap length and seat size would not be appropriate for your size. You would likely be in a 17.5, possibly with a forward flap. It would depend on seat depth, stirrup bar placement and the forwardness of the flap.

[savethedate]

I’m 5’5" and 115, I ride in a custom saddle 17.0 for the seat, and 17.5 for the leg because I have extremely long legs also.