How do you figure out what size you are for a Saddle Seat saddle?

Question

When I say Saddle Seat, I mean the type of saddle used for the discipline Saddle Seat. You know, where the horses pick their legs up high. Recently the stable I ride at hid the saddle I use. Why? I don't know. They did the same thing to my older sister when she got her own horse. I suppose they're doing it for the same reason to me, because I'm going to be leasing a horse. So, I want to show them that I don't care, and I'll just get a new, better saddle. When I go to the saddle shop, I want to know how to find if the saddle is the right size for me or know what size I am.

Answer 1

I agree WOO HOO another saddleseat rider!!! I's best to go to the tack shop and get fitted. ALSO make sure it is going to fit your horse properly! you don't want to impede your horses monvement!

Answer 2

Size of the saddle is very important but the shape of the seat and quality of the saddle (brand) should also be considered.  Here are extremely useful links that will make your cutback lane fox saddle shopping much easier:

Cutback Lane Fox Brand information: http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/hor...

Lane Fox saddle size chart:

http://regaljada.tripod.com/saddleseateq... (scroll down to the saddle fitting question).

Unless you live in KY it will be hard to find a nice lane fox saddle at your local tack shop.  There are many SS tack stores on the internet that sell used saddles.  Just email the stores listed below and in the lane fox brand forum link with what you are looking for and they will be able to let you know what they have.  Ehorseequipment.com and Shelbyhorse.com.

Answer 3

The people at the tack shop should be able to properly fit you to a saddle. And I would expect any rider at my barn to have their own saddle if they had a horse as well. School saddles are for the lesson horses.

Answer 4

Yeah!!! Another Saddleseat rider here!!!  I think we are few and far between here!!

Anyway..being that you are going to a tack store..you really need to sit in the saddle and make sure that your butt doesn't "flow" over the cantle...they come in two different seat types...flat and an equitation seat which is a deep seat and will hug you more to keep the body in the proper position for equitating or just if you like the feel of that better.(it is similar to the deep seat you see in dressage saddles but not quite that exaggerated) The flat saddle would allow you to sit further back and is probably the most popular when riding performance.

I always give the analogy of it being like finding a pair of shoes..you like the feel of the leather and the feel of the "arch"!!  They now make them with adjustable stirrup bars so you move the leathers to give you the proper seat, position and balance on the horse.  Some have top trainer's names attached to them like "Crabtree" and "Shively" who are renowned equitation instructors and the saddles were built to their specifications.

Most "cut back" (Lane Fox-because of the tree design) saddles as they are called come in 16"-22"...seats..probably some smaller for kids.  On the average, most widely used are 21"..although I think my butt could fit into a 22" at times!!!

Also, many shops will allow you to try the saddle on the horse to make sure it is comfortable for you as well as the horse.  Good ones are not cheap and I'm sure if at the "right" store or through the internet..you might be able to find a nice used one.

I hope this information has helped you...if you have any further questions, feel free to ask away...my fellow saddleseat rider!!!

PS~ I just bought a new saddle last year and LOVE IT..it is made by Lovatt and Rickett..aka L&R..it is made from nice soft buttery buffalo hide..that your body melts into and conforms to....but my trainer doesn't care for it...but I do!!   So, it's what works for you unless at a big show barn where trainers have alot of influence over what you do!!  But those people aren't the most "hands-on" type of riders/owners either!!