Saddle sizing

[linden]

First of all, I’m a hunter rider on the regular, but soon I will be acquiring a ex WP show horse as a companion to my show horse, as I’m building a barn and my horse is coming home.

Anyway, I want to get a saddle to ride the new horse in (he is my grandma’s old show horse). My question: are western saddles sized the same as english ones? By that I mean, is a 17" western seat basically equivalent to a 17" english seat? Is that measurement idea the same kind of thing? I’m assuming yes but I’d like to make sure.

I’m sorry if this is a stupid question! I know the saddle fit on the horse is very important and they’ve suggested they brand they have, but I also want it to fit me decently.

[sk_pacer]

No they are not the same. It would do you well to just go sit in saddles, since every maker is different and so is every tree variation…a 16" roper is not the same as a 16" pleasure.

[NoSuchPerson]

I agree with sk_pacer that there is a lot of variation, both between manufacturers and between different types of western saddles. But, as a general rule of thumb and a place to start trying saddles, pick a western saddle that is 2 inches smaller than the English saddle you ride in.

Also, when fitting an English saddle, your hip-to-knee length is really important, while this is not so much of a factor with a western saddle.

[linden]

Thanks for that clarification! Gives me more of a clue where to start.