Saddle seats

[carrie17491]

How do you determine what size seat on a saddle you need?

[daizylindsay]

I always thought seat size was tailored to the riders bum! Then fitted to horse? I could be wrong!

[carrie17491]

It's both, something to do with the horses last rib but I can't remember

[sarahp]

Yes both, length of horse's back and size of riders bum.

[carrie17491]

So how do I know if it's too long for the horses back?

[sarahp]

Ask a saddle fitter? It should not impede either the shoulder in front or the loin behind.

[carrie17491]

Okay thank you

[sbloom]

It needs to sit with the points of the saddle (which are closer to the front edge on a showing saddle and further back on a jump saddle, they are sewn into a little pocket on the sweat flap) roughly 2 inches behind the back of the scapula, and then must be on and not beyond the last rib. This can easily be found half way down the ribcage, at the widest part, come forwards from the softer flank, then track it up forwards and upwards diagonally, and the saddle must not be beyond the point at which it meets the big muscle that supports the saddle. You really should use a fitter if you are at all unsure.

This was part of an article I wrote recently: www.horsehero.com/editorial?feat=75069

[carrie17491]

Jan 18, 2012 13:07:52 GMT sbloom said:

It needs to sit with the points of the saddle (which are closer to the front edge on a showing saddle and further back on a jump saddle, they are sewn into a little pocket on the sweat flap) roughly 2 inches behind the back of the scapula, and then must be on and not beyond the last rib. This can easily be found half way down the ribcage, at the widest part, come forwards from the softer flank, then track it up forwards and upwards diagonally, and the saddle must not be beyond the point at which it meets the big muscle that supports the saddle. You really should use a fitter if you are at all unsure.

Thanks, that's a great help

I am sure on fitting a saddle, it was just a query I had about seat length. I have a short mare so I think 16" is best suited to her. We have tried a 16 and 17 and the 17 was a touch too long.

Thank you

[carrie17491]

That article is brilliant sbloom.

Very very helpful

[network]

Jan 18, 2012 13:11:28 GMT carrie17491 said:

Jan 18, 2012 13:07:52 GMT sbloom said:

It needs to sit with the points of the saddle (which are closer to the front edge on a showing saddle and further back on a jump saddle, they are sewn into a little pocket on the sweat flap) roughly 2 inches behind the back of the scapula, and then must be on and not beyond the last rib. This can easily be found half way down the ribcage, at the widest part, come forwards from the softer flank, then track it up forwards and upwards diagonally, and the saddle must not be beyond the point at which it meets the big muscle that supports the saddle. You really should use a fitter if you are at all unsure.

Thanks, that's a great help

I am sure on fitting a saddle, it was just a query I had about seat length. I have a short mare so I think 16" is best suited to her. We have tried a 16 and 17 and the 17 was a touch too long.

Thank you

Be careful to check the length of the saddle flaps on a 16" as they will come up short

[sbloom]

And it totally depends on the model - even within brands like Albion where the panels are notoriously long they will vary. All ours are fairly short because we fit so many adults on natives . And thanks re the article, I enjoyed writing them!

[carrie17491]

It's a shame you're not closer sbloom! I'd have arranged for you to come and fit a saddle.

Thanks guys, I have noticed that but I seem to have found a lovely 16 but it's brown

[snowflake]

I've always been told you should be able to fit an average size hand behind your bottom on the saddle.

Anything less than half a hand & you need a bigger saddle!