For large riders only- saddle size?

Question

My aunt is looking to buy a western saddle and was told by her son that she needs a 17" saddle.

However a friend said that she doesnt need such a large one. He says a 16" should be fine.

Facts: She is around 245 lb. , used to ride all the time but that was 25 years ago. The horse is a 800 lb Arabian so the short back has to be considered. She is looking at Ebay so trying the saddle is not an option.

The vet has approved short, easy rides at her weight would not hurt the horse.

My question is what size saddle would be best? 16" or 17"?

Answer 1

have her ask her trainer, she could help her and possibly even find a saddle for her.

Answer 2

A 17" Western Saddle is a BIG seated saddle!  You're right by saying a 16" should give her plenty of room, but WHY would she buy an 800 LB Arab?  (Just my thoughts here).  

Back in the 1980's I had a friend who bought a Real McCoy daughter (Arab) and Helen (The horse) once full fleshed weighed about 1,000 LBS (15.1 hands).  There are plently of bigger Egyptian Arabs out there.

Helen's in her late 20's now and still is a goin' concern.

Answer 3

I agree to go with the 17". The person saying to go with a 16" is off her rocker!!! It is always better to have a saddle too big. Than too small, if too small it will make your aunt ride forward, off balance. The invisible line will not be strait if the saddle is too small. It is better for your aunt if too big than too small! I've been riding for 47yrs.

Answer 4

17" definetely, my mom is the same, in the 16" saddle her belly hung over and the balance was way off!

Answer 5

I weigh 208lbs and I use a 16" roping saddle...it's comfy for me, just heavier.

Answer 6

I am also built bigger and use a 16" seat ...recently have gained a little weight "belly-butt fat" and now wish I had a 17" seat. She should go to a local western store and sit in a few there and see what fits best. Also go with a cordura/synthetic saddle as they weigh about 20lbs and would be lighter for her to saddle up and less weight for her horse to carry. Hope this helps

Answer 7

It is better to have your saddle too big than too small.  Go with the 17". I weight 127lbs & I ride in a 15 1/2" saddle. Worked in a saddle shop for 6yrs.

Answer 8

Go with the 17". or you could have her try them out at a tack shop. but i would deffinatly go with the 17".  if its too small it will be REALLY uncomfortable.

Answer 9

If she wants comfort then a 17 would be her best bet. I am 180 And i ride in a 17. I am just built bigger, not fat. Sometimes people just need a bigger saddle because they are built bigger. I used a 16 and everytime i loped i felt like i was going to go foward, because it was pushing my butt up and out.  Her son is probably right. I have learned after many time eating dust that a slightly bigger saddle is better than a slightly smaller saddle. If shes built anything like a curvacious woman, then a 17 would be most comfortable!!!

Hoped i helped. Also, the short back shouldnt be a problem. I ride a halfinger and his back is shorter than an arabian so both rider and horse should be fine with a 17!

Answer 10

she needs to actually be looking at saddles and trying them on her horse, It needs to fit her horse. Horse first rider second. and at her weight the saddle needs to fit PERFECTLY so that it can balance her.  The worst thing she can do for that horses back is getting an improper fitting saddle, and it WILL cripple the horse over time.

my older mare (21) use to be owned by a larger rider, and although at 14.3 hands a 1000 pounds she can no longer be ridden due to the damage to her back.  she has a big sway back, now and asking her to carry over 90 pounds for over 5 minuets will make her back so sore you cannot touch it without her flinching. But she is totally sound other than that. When i was on the border line of retiring her, she could not carry a saddle because it caused (even fitted) pain, so i rode bareback. and Eventually she couldn't even take that.  So now I have a 21 year old horse who is 100% sound and should be at least usable to trail ride, but is not due to her back, and a larger rider messing it up.

Please Make sure your aunt gets a properly fitted saddle to her horse before she worries about the size, or have her consider a bigger horse, maybe a draft or draft X.

Answer 11

My husband is slightly heavier and has about a 42" inch waist and a 17" fits him just right,  FYI: I am a tall skinny 6' 1" 140 lbs (not bragging, just telling what I ride in) and I ride in a 16" western saddle comfortably.  She could look for a 17" barrel saddle, they don't have the big skirts (which is akward on a small horse) that most other 17" saddles and they are mostly made for women (especially the barrel).  Something like this that has a small skirt around it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BARREL-NATURAL-CARVI...

Answer 12

Rule of thumb is that you want 2-4 fingers from the front of your belly to the swell of the saddle and your butt should not overlap the back of the cantle.

I'm and average build man at ~205lb.  A 16" saddle is tight but doable.  A 17" works great for me.  I don't think a 16" will be good for your aunt, it will be tight and place her off balance in her seat.  I would double check by trying several saddles before buying one.  You may find that a 17 1/2" or 18" may be in order.

Lastly, I would be concerned about the total weight of rider and tack on an 800lb horse.  The gross weight of rider and saddle should not exceed 20% of the horse's weight.  Some horses can handle a little more but with your aunt and a 40lb saddle it is closer to 35% and that is a lot.

Answer 13

this hsould help :) ik i have a big but 2 im a 16 in western and 17 1/2 in englush lol

http://www.statelinetack.com/english.asp...

P.S. sroll down and u will see find your seat size click it and it will have it for  english or western just click it and it should come up :D -hope this helps ♥