How do I determine the correct english saddle size for me?

Question

I am a novice english rider and I'm looking for either an ap or close contact saddle.

Answer 1

Most saddle shops will give you a Saddle Fitting for free, and give you an accurate seat size. Then you can go from there.

Answer 2

When you sit in the saddle, you should have the space of four fingers behind you from the edge of the cantle to your *utt.  I guess this does leave room for a little growth.

I like the Pessoa's also.  The darker ones also hide imperfections in the leather that the lighter colored ones don't hide.  Lots of leather care darkens the light ones.

Answer 3

Go sit in saddles. Make sure to hold your legs in place so that you'll know how it'll be with stirrups. If you have long legs look into getting a long flap or short if your legs are short (there are not only regular flaps!). Anyways, try different styles. Mine is a Pessoa Gen-X. I've been using Gen-Xs for a long time and they're my personal favorite.

Recommendation: although a high back on the saddle may feel more secure -it's not and when you jump, if you bump the saddle with your b-u-t-t you will be catapulted out of the saddle.

Other nice ones are by Collegiate, PJ, and Beval. Also, darker colored saddles are "in" and also hide dirt or discoloration from wear much better than light ones (my last was a lighter Gen-X). Gen-Xs hold up very well and all mine have been sold in excellent condition. Anyways, enjoy hunting for your soulmate saddle!

Answer 4

When you sit in the center of the seat, there should be a hand's width between the front of the saddle and your pelvis, and another hand's width behind you to the back of the saddle. When your feet are in the stirrups at the correct length, there should be another hands width between your knee and the  widest part of the flap.

So there should be about four inches in front of you and about four inches behind you.

I hope that helped! They usually test it that way at saddle shops, they usually will fit you without asking them to. :]

Answer 5

at least two fingers from the back of the saddle fits but it should be more for growing room