So, I had asked about sizing before, and I was wondering if there was anyone else out there who has found that the charts that estimate your size are at least a little accurate.
By my height, they have constantly said that I need 18 Inch English. I am 5 feet, ten and a half inches barefoot.
Then, the ones that want to know your upper leg length(one said you measure in a sitting position, the distance from the point of the back of your rear to the point of your knee. I took the point of knee to mean the front?) and I measured at 24 inches. They say 18 inch or bigger.
Now I'm hoping, because I'm built like a 'Carrot not a pear/apple' ie, no hips to speak of, that I could maybe get away with seventeen inch? I'm done growing (at least I better be by now, I'm turning twenty this year... but I did get taller last year. )
So basically, what's your body type, leg length/height, and what size english saddle do you ride? I would especially love to hear from anyone about my height. I am looking for something more dressageish, because I ride TWHs, and you need a deep upright seat, and I've also been told that with a dressage saddle, it puts you more forward towards the withers, and you want the saddle to be more forward on a walking horse.
(And I'm really hoping seventeen could work for me, because I found this wintec dressage: http://www.horseclicks.com/saddles/ww13hw/ and from what I've seen and heard so far, wintec sounds great because synthetic is fine, I won't be doing dressage with my TWH after all, and wintecs are supposed to be light, and I want to be able to fit it for my growing four year old. It looks like a good deal at least to me...)
Yeah, my legs are disgustingly long. In proportion to them, my torso is actually fairly short.
I just say that god meant for me to ride horses, because I have long legs to grip, and a shorter torso means a lower center of gravity so it's easier to stay on. XD
I'll keep a longer flap in mind, thanks.
Oh, and I checked out the stateline calculator, and it says 17 1/2, but I have a bit of weight that I have to lose, mostly in my thighs, and if I drop two inches(which I think I can do easily, especially since I'm getting my metabolism kicked back onto super high) it says that I would need 17.
And I love stateline, especially since it's now making me slightly optimistic that I won't need a giant saddle. XD
 HENNIG SOFA DRESSAGE SADDLE 2007 US $2,895.00 |
 Collegiate Convertible Dressage saddle 175 US $1,150.00 |
 Schleese Link II Saddle 18 excellent condition US $3,500.00 |
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I know how you feel! I’m 19 and 5’10" 1/2 as well. I’m skinny (not twig skinny, but average size) and have a tiny butt with really long legs, so it can be difficult sometimes to find the right saddle. I just measured my leg, like you said, and it says 25 inches.
I’ve found it really depends on the brand of saddle, and how long you have your stirrups. I’ve ridden in a 17 1/2 Wintec saddle, comfortably, and I think that was probably the smallest size I could go, because my knees were right behind the front of the flap. My saddle I have now is an 18 1/2 and fits me perfectly. I have a good length between myself and the cantle and pommel, and my knees sit on a good spot on the flaps (I’m talking about all-purpose saddle btw).
Here’s my saddle:
http://www.adamshorsesupply.com/browse.cfm/4,1444.html
If you’re looking for a dressage saddle, I don’t think it makes as big a difference how long your leg is, because dressage riders ride with a super long stirrup anyway, so if you’re skinny, you could probably get away with a 17 in. Just try saddles out before purchasing and make sure they fit both you and your horse well. Don’t feel like you’re buying a giant saddle either. I had that on my mind as well, but the saddle looks proportionate to my 16.3hh thoroughbred and it fits him great.
I’ve always gone byy this rule…..Sitting in the saddle you should be able to lay your hand flat between your bum and the cantle and the same at the front between your….what ever and the front of the pommel. I wasn’t actually aware that it had anything to do with our hight. I am 5ft 6 and ride in a 17.5 inch saddle
4’10" 75 lbs
I ride in a 15 1/2" saddle
I am 5’3 and use a 17" saddle
I would look at a 17 or 18 inch saddle. If your legs are long in comparision to your body, instead of getting a size up (19 inch), try look at a saddle with a long flap. There are also foreward flap saddles. Just try a bunch of them and see which one you feel best in and look best in.
Im 5’2" and I have a 16 1/2inch colligete- i think those tend to run small because my friend has a 16 1/2 beval saddle and hers is huge when i ride in it. shes also 5’5"ish. I have bigger thighs and short legs, but im not fat or anything haha. Im about 110-115 pounds.
I have a friend though who is like 5’10" and shes really skinny and everything. Her saddle I think is either a 17 1/2 or an 18, but she has a long flap because her legs are so long.
all saddles are different from each other. If you have trouble finding a correct fit, go to a saddle shop and ask to be fitted for a saddle. Find the correct measurement and correct gullet and try it on your horse. If you dont want to buy your saddle there, atleast you have the measurements.
I dispise wintec, but its just a personal thing- you could love it and i could hate it, haha.
I wouldnt buy any saddle without taking it on trial and testing it out- make sure it fits you and your horse.
I’m 5’8 and ride in a 17.5" I have full hips, but I have four or five inches to spare in the back of my saddle. I have very long legs, but my saddle is a close contact saddle with a pretty forward flap, and being a jumper, I ride with shorter stirrups than what is required for dressage.
There is a saddle size generator on this page:
http://www.statelinetack.com/english-tack/1000/
Honestly, I would recommend going to the nearest tack shop and asking a professional about the fit of the said saddle or a similar one. You wouldn’t have to buy it, but you’d have a solid idea of what size you need.
I agree with the first person. I’m 5’7 and I ride in a 17 1/2 inch saddle. But I have really long legs, so that may be why. But generally speaking, if you are 5′ 10 you probably need a bigger saddle. Probably an 18 inch or 19 inch.
Hope I helped! Best of luck!
~Hannah
I’m 5’2 and ride in a 16 1/2 inch saddle. I have average length legs and average weight for a 13 year old.
I’m 5’5 and have a 17 inch saddle.
I think you should get a 17.5 or an 18 inch saddle. If you get it from a store though, they usually have saddle experts there that can help you get a saddle that fits you well and that you look good in!
I hope this helps and good luck! :]
*add*
My saddle is a tiny bit too big for me. I don’t know about dressage rules, but I know that in hunters it is better to have a saddle that is a little bit too big than one that is a little too small. I’m a jumper though so it doesn’t matter for me.
I weight 100 pound and im 4 11. My seat size for english is 16 and for western its 15..
Measure the lenght from your hip to your knee and that is the size saddle you need! I love Wintec! Good Luck=]
The seat size you’ll need will depend not only on your height/weight and inseam (most notably, the length of your thigh) – you’ll need to consider the type of saddle you’re looking at (dressage, ap or cc), the seat depth, the flap set/length and the position of the stirrup bar. I’m 5’6", 160, 34" inseam, and ride in anything from an open-seated 17" cc with a long fwd. flap to a 19" deep-seated dressage saddle.
Your best bet will be to try as many saddles as you can. Most of the better brands can be ordered with a longer and/or more forward flap to accommodate a longer thigh. Don’t allow yourself to be talked into too large a seat if you feel like you’re swimming in it. Check into the longer flap option.