How to Size a Person for an English Saddle

English riding saddles offer a stable seat for the rider. The right-size saddle is important for good riding. It keeps the rider in the proper position to ride. The right-size seat allows the rider to grip the sides of the horse with his thighs, giving him a secure seat. This prevents unnecessary soreness or chafing that occurs with a saddle that's too large or too small.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Scale
  • .
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the saddle from the button on either side of the pommel to cantle. This measurement is the saddle size. The pommel is the front hump that sits right over the spine of the horse. The cantle is the rise at the back of the saddle. Some English saddles have a high cantle, while others are lower. The height of the cantle is a strict personal decision and does not affect the size of the saddle.

    • 2

      Weigh the rider. The weight of the rider, more than the height, determines the saddle size. A small person, under 125 pounds, will generally fit in a 17-inch saddle. Riders who weigh 125 to 165 pounds often feel comfortable in a 17.5-inch saddle. An 18-inch saddle fits a rider who is 165 to 200 pounds. Any rider who is more than 200 pounds rides best in an 18.5- or 19-inch saddle.

    • 3

      Saddle the horse. Seat the rider on the saddle. Make sure the rider is resting in the pocket, or deepest part of the saddle, and is sitting up straight.

    • 4

      Check the fit with a finger test. Place your hand behind the rider's seat. If three or four fingers fit between the rider's body and the back of the saddle, the fit is correct. If three fingers won't fit, the saddle is too small. If more than four fingers fit, the saddle is too large.