How to Pick the Correct Saddle Seat Size for a Rider

Saddle seats come in two main styles: Western saddles and English saddles. English saddles tend to be used as a generic saddle, and Western saddles are more personalized to fit specific horses and riders. Both saddles are measured from front to back and sized in half-inch increments. This size is printed on the side of most saddles, but you won't be able to pick the correct seat size with this information alone. The depth, angle, slope, and style aren't printed on the side of the saddle, but are just as important as saddle size when correctly fitting a rider. The rider's height, weight and body shape will also factor in when sizing a saddle. It is essential that you sit in the saddle seat in order to pick the correct size.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
Show More

Instructions

  1. Measure a Western Saddle

    • 1

      Decide what type of seat slope you want on your saddle. A low-angled seat is usually preferred for leisurely rides, and a high-angled seat is for more movement and action. A medium-angled seat is good for a bit of both.

    • 2

      Decide on a proper cantle slope for your saddle. The cantle slope ranges from mild to steep. Whether you plan to ride for leisure or sport will influence your decision when choosing the degree of slope on your saddle.

    • 3

      Decide what fender style and angles you would like. The fenders are the flaps that run down the side of the saddle and provide space in between your legs and the horse. The fenders can be any combination of long, short, wide and skinny, and they can either lay flat against the horse or angle outward. Tall, thin people may need long, skinny fenders that lie flat, while stocky riders may need short, wide fenders that angle outward. Your body shape, height and weight will all factor in to your choice.

    • 4

      Place your measuring tape right up against the back of the pommel and pull it straight back to the seam on the top of the cantle. Do not lay the measuring tape along the depth of the seat. The start and end points of the measuring tape should be at equal heights. This size is measured in half-inch increments. Child sizes are normally around 12 inches, and adults sizes go up to 17 inches.

    • 5

      Sit in the seat to find a proper size fit. There should be about four inches between the front of your body and the pommel, and your behind should gently rest up against the cantle instead of pressing up against it.

    How to Measure an English Saddle

    • 6

      Set the saddle on a saddle rack with the seat facing up.

    • 7

      Measure a straight line from the saddle nail to the center of the cantle. There is a nail on either side of the pommel (the front of the saddle). Place the tape measure on one of the nails, and pull the measuring tape diagonally up to the top of the cantle. This will give you the actual size for the saddle. Most adult sizes start at 17 inches and go up. Anything shorter is usually for junior riders.

    • 8

      Lift the saddle skirt and place your measuring tape at the top of the saddle flap. Measure straight down the flap to get the flap length. Your body shape will again determine what flap style will work best for you.

    • 9

      Sit on the saddle to find the correct width for you. English Saddles come in four width sizes: N (narrow), M (medium), W (wide) and XW (extra-wide). You will have to sit on the saddles to find the size that fits best for you.

    • 10

      Make sure that you can sit in the center of the saddle comfortably and that your knees are placed on the kneepads. The highest point of the pommel should be slightly lower than the highest point of the cantle when you're seated in the saddle. The difference between these two points should be less than an inch.