Seat rise

I’m ordering a saddle tonight, finally, that will hopefully fit my whiskey barrel of a mare. I’d prefer no horn. However, the endurance model has a steeper rise to the seat than the Western model. I’m not sure that’s a good trade-off, and am leaning towards the Western. What do you prefer, steeper rise or low rise to the seat, and why? The saddle is for trail riding and lessons.

As a basically English rider and female, a higher rise is my friend in any saddle.

Now, those that started riding in western saddles, that tend to put you in a little different position, that may feel too tight in there for those riders.

I think preferences there are of a more personal nature, it is what you are used to and how you like to ride.

For most men, they prefer less of a rise to the seat and a more flat one, basic anatomy at work there.

Since every saddler and every saddle are a little bit different, I would sit on several and then tell the saddler which kind fits you best and hope he gets that right.

Decades ago I bought a Windy Ryon Amy Gambling saddle that fit me like a glove, fit everyone that ever used it and fit every horse we ever put it on.
I ordered another one just like it but 1/2" larger model and it doesn’t quite ride the same or fit the same, even if they both look the same, other than the bit longer seat.

Hope what you gets fits just like you need it to fit.

I agree with most of what Bluey said. I find much rise forces you back against the cantle, English or Western saddles. I prefer a lower rise, but not flat like men prefer. Also a narrow twist on the saddle so you don’t hurt in the hips from wide spread legs on long rides. On a Western saddle I like the lower cantle, usually about 3 inches, not the higher cantle because height also tends to hold you in one basic position while riding. Doing distance riding, out all day with ranch work, a person needs to be able to shift, adjust body position, maybe post for some time to not get sore, let your circulation flow. Saddle needs to allow that movement.