How to Size a Saddle

Not sure what the right size saddle for you might be?  Saddle size can be a big deal, since the wrong size will make both you and your horse pretty uncomfortable.  However, this apparently simple question doesn't have a simple answer.  Here's why, and how to deal with it.

Rules For Good Fit

For a properly fitting western saddle, there are a few basic rules to pay attention to.  While these aren't necessarily all you'll need to fit your saddle, they give you a good baseline to start from.

1. Remember that you have to fit you and your horse as well.  This article is about seat size, and has nothing to do with fitting your horse - it's a separate topic.  Remember to pay attention to it before choosing a saddle.

2. You should rest your rump on the base of the cantle.  However, you should never feel as though you're pressed against the back of it.

3. Fit is up to personal preference.  Some people like a looser fit.  Others like their saddles a little more snug.  However, a saddle that's a little too big is almost always better than one that's too small.

Listed Seat Size and Measurements

There's a published seat size for all western saddles.  This refers to the distance between the base of the horn and the middle top of the cantle.  This is expressed as a measurement in half inch increments.

You'll find sizes listed between twelve and seventeen inches, with the smallest saddles intended for young riders and the largest saddles intended for very large adults.  The average adult is expected to use a seat size of about fifteen inches, but this is just a guideline.

It might seem like choosing the saddle size correctly would be simple.  After all, the seat size is published.  However, this is only one of the factors in deciding which one to choose.  If you sit on the same size saddle from a different brand or even a different style in the same brand, you'll notice a big difference.  That could result in you needing a different size, depending on the manufacturer, just like many clothing brands.

Seat depth and seat slope are additional factors in the individual saddle size you'll need, as are the dish and slope of the cantle, the fork style, and the fork angle.  Each of these features can have a big impact on the way your saddle fits you.  Of course, unlike seat size, these are not standardized or published.

That means that the best way to find out how a saddle fits you is to sit in it.  Try on a prospective saddle, and be careful about ordering sight unseen.  If you make an online order, check out return policies to make sure you can send the saddle back.  It might be a great saddle, but it's not worth while if it doesn't fit!