I was told a 17.5 inch saddle would be best for me. I of course found a used 17". Will it make a huge difference? Thanks
Depends on the saddle and depth of seat. Saddles don’t necessarily measure exactly what the size says - have the seller measure the seat and give you the exact measurement in addition to the marked size. It might be bigger (or smaller) than 17. Also, a deeper seat typically feels/rides smaller than a flatter seat of the same size.
thanks. I realize I just need to try it. I am long in the thigh too. It’s difficult finding used saddles…
Agreed, it depends on the saddle. I personally am fine in a 17 or 17.5” seat; though they’re a bit small for my booty they’re not uncomfortable and don’t hinder my position. However I really need at least an 18” for more flap length for my leg, particularly in a jump saddle.
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I’ve always described saddles as being like bras, where if you go down in band size you should increase the size of the cup. If you go down in seat size, you probably want to go up in flap size and vice versa. So if you need a 17.5 but found a 17, you probably want more room in the flap to compensate for the missing seat space. And the comment about the depth of the seat is spot on. Ultimately you just have to try it and see if you like it.
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Agreed. I thought (used) saddle shopping would be fun until I had to do it!
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It can.
I take an 18. I was trying to ride on a 17 dressage saddle which was comfortable until I started cantering, then my lower back got sore because there was no room for my hips to follow the gait. I started getting significant back pain after. I was OK in a 17.5. These were all saddles of the same brand and very similar but not identical models /configuration.
It might be different in a jump saddle because you are more out of the tack. But you don’t want to be over the knee roll in a jump saddle.
You really have to try.
For me, half an inch makes a huge difference. I tried the same saddle in a 17 and 17.5. The 17 was amazing. I couldn’t keep my leg still in the 17.5. I’m not very tall, so that may make a difference in my case. Trying the saddle is your best option.
Good luck with your saddle shopping!
The seat being smaller also changes the position of the stirrup bars relative to your hips. That could really impact your position and/or your comfort in the saddle.
If you’re spending most of your time in two-point, the seat size may not matter as much as when you’re sitting down in the saddle, doing flat-work, etc.
Also, European saddles often have saddle sizes that are created in cm, and then “translated” to inches. So a 17" saddle could be anything from 16.75" to 17.3 inches.
OP, have you measured the saddle yourself? I have encountered some variability in the way people measure. At a tack store (!) the owner proudly walked up with a measuring tape and measured from pommel to center of the cantle. Others measure from the beginning of the button, center of the button, or from the end of the button.
I’ve found that I take an inch bigger in dressage saddles than jumping saddles. And a very narrow twist.
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It’s like buying a bathing suit for two butts.
You’ll have to sit in it. In some models I’m equally comfortable in a 17, 17.5, or 18 provided that the flap geometry is correct. The deeper the seat the more likely it is that you’ll have less flexibility in seat size.
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Yes a 1/2” can make a difference.
So can an inch or two or three in some cases.
I cringe watching horses backs being hammered by butts pounding down on the back edge of the cantle of too small saddles.
Poor horses backs. Awful.
Somethings cannot be unseen. I should stay off of FB.
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I had a very similar experience. Exactly the same saddle in a 17 and a 17.5. Tried the 17 and it felt fine at the walk, but when I trotted, I had a hard time posting. My coach happened to be there and we were laughing because I was like a beginner rider learning to post - the balance was so off. Put the 17.5 on and completely fine again (I ended up buying the 17.5!).
Same here…I had an old-school dressage saddle in a 17, which worked ok because it had no blocks to get in the way of my long leg. But - as I learned to sit better (I rode hunters for many years 
) I found I was never able to really sit properly. I realized it was because my seat was on the slope to the cantle, so it was pushing me out with every stride. I’m now in an 18 with a medium-open seat (but still learning to really sit 
)
When I went back to returning rider lessons I sat in whatever lesson saddle and it didn’t make much difference. Then I got my own horse and my own saddles that fit me. Now I feel the unbalance in a poorly fitting saddle. I’m good enough that can interfere.
But not good enough to sit in any badly fitting saddle and ride correctly. My coach can do this. I don’t expect to ever do that.
How the saddle sits on the horse can also influence your seat.
Can it make a difference? Yep.
Flatter seats are more forgiving of being 1/2" technically too small.
Deeper seats, not so much
That’s why Dressage saddles are often 1/2"-1" bigger than even the same brand jump saddle - they tend to be a deeper seat.
Even among deeper seats (regardless of discipline) - is it a U curve with exactly 1 place to sit in the middle? Or is there a flatter section at the bottom that allows more wiggle room.
IME way too many people ride in saddles too small for them. Way too many.
So for you it depends on the shape of this 17", vs the ideal 17.5" seat
But if you’re long in the thigh, you either need the bigger seat so you have room to properly sit a bit farther back, or you need the more forward flap to take your thigh, or both.
For sure, my jump saddle is a 17.5 and I hopped into a 17 dressage saddle - talk about a blow to the ego
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These are things I would consider:
- Flap size: You might be able to do a 17.5" but with a 3 or 4 flap.
- Flap Position: You might be able to do a long and forward flap but down 1/2 a size.
- Seat Depth If it’s a deep seat, you’ll likely have to go up a size, where if it’s a flat seat, you may be able to go down.
- Brand of Saddle: If it is a saddle notorious for fitting down a size (Think PJ Delgrange) you might actually have to go up .5" (ie I ride in an 18", but would need a 18.5" PJ)
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