How to Choose the Correct English Saddle Size

Properly sizing an English saddle involves a variety of considerations. First, you must find multiple saddles fitted appropriately to your horse. You want two or more English saddles fitted well to your horse so that then you can go on to find a saddle that also provides you, as the rider, an equally good fit. While properly fitting an English saddle calls for the advice of an expert saddler or tack shop expert with experience with many saddles, you can get a clearer understanding of proper sizing of an English saddle by understanding some fundamentals.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse
  • English saddle
  • Someone to lead your horse so you can observe from the rear
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Instructions

  1. Seat

    • 1

      Consider, in terms of the seat of the saddle, the relative height of cantle and pommel. You should find that the cantle, or rear section of the saddle, rises higher than the pommel, or front segment of the saddle. You should also find that the saddle rests flat on the horse's back. Additionally, you should ensure the saddle length falls below that which would position a portion of the back part of the saddle above the horse's loins.

    • 2

      Check the saddle to determine if you can fit three to four of your fingers between the horse's withers and the pommel. Less than a two-finger-width clearance indicates too wide a saddle. If, on the other hand, you can fit all five fingers between the horse's withers and the pommel, this indicates that you likely have too narrow a saddle as a horse. While this sounds counterintuitive in terms of the directionality, it makes sense since too narrow a saddle is likely to rise up forward onto the withers allowing you to fit more fingers, and the converse with too wide a saddle slipping too far back behind the withers. Look for equal clearance on both sides when you slide your hands along the pommel. At the gullet, or underside of the saddle, check to find you can see some light when watching the horse walk while observing from behind.

    • 3

      Observe the fit of the saddle flaps with your horse's conformation and movement. If you find visual indications of the saddle flaps interfering with your horse's movement, this gives an indication of an English saddle poorly fitted to your horse.

    • 4

      Fit the saddle to the rider. Once you have tested different saddles and identified saddles that fit your horse, establish which of those best suit you. The ideal saddle for you will have a few inches clearance each to the front and to the rear as described on the Alpha Horse website. Check this fit out with some test rides with your horse to ensure as you move with the animal that you have a good but not excessive clearance at both the front and back of your English saddle.