What does the "size of the saddle" measure?

Question

I have a subscription to Young Rider magazine, and it says I can enter for a chance to win a saddle, and it says, "To enter, fill in the blank below on a postcard and include your name, address, color you'd like the saddle (black or brown) and size of the saddle (15-18 inches)."

What is "the size of the saddle"?

Answer 1

the size of the saddleis the seat your actually sitting in between 15 to 18 inches I like a 16 inch i think it fits perfectly. It also is how long your horses back is.if you get and 18 inch saddle seat and a 18 horse back it is NOT a good combanation a 16 inch would probably be best. Acouple inches smaller than your horses back is always better.

Answer 2

Hudson is 100% correct. To find the best size for you, either measure your existing saddle if it is comfortable, or try various saddles at a tack shop to find the one that fits you best.

Fitting your horse is another matter. That will depend upon the tree size or gullet width (if English).  But hey, if you win and it doesn't fit your horse, you can always sell it and buy one that does!

Good luck.

Answer 3

The size of the saddle here is the seat size. There is a button on the front, to find the seat size you measure from that button to the top and center of the rear of the saddle. When you sit in a saddle the right size will allow you to put your hand flat on the saddle behind you and fit four fingers, no more, no less.

Answer 4

It's asking you for the seat size of your saddle.  For this you can measure from the outside of your knee, to your hip and that will give you the size for your English saddle.  For Western, deduct a couple of inches from the English saddle measurement and that should work.

Good luck!

Answer 5

what fits ur horse..you measure it from the horn o the back of the seat

Answer 6

Next time might i suggest puting your question into a yahoo search... you might find your answer.

Answer 7

This is very scary...PEOPLE...you have got to be very careful with some of the responses on here...it's like the blind leading the blind...BUT, The answers from Jasmine and Ptrobm(this person has since edited the answer!!) are both WRONG (for the most part)....

It is the measurement of the seat that you sit in.  It is measured :

Western: From the horn to the back of the cantle

English: From the Pommel to the cantle

I can speak for english as that is what I ride...the measurement is taken diagonally across the seat.  From the rivet by the jockey flap across to the cantle.

Yes..a saddle must fit the horse properly too which is based on the width of the tree and gullet.  A horses withers and back conformation.  

If you require a 16" seat that does not mean that your horses back is 16".  But the fit of the saddle on a horses back is very important.  That is why there are Saddle Fitters.

It depends on your size and basically the size of your butt when sitting in the saddle.  You don't want butt hangover but a feeling of sitting properly in the middle of the saddle.  You really need to go and try saddles at a tack store for sizing and comfort as there can be many variances in the way the seat is made and the type of saddle it is..equitation, pleasure, barrel racing, hunt seat, dressage....

If your comdortable in the saddle you are using..measure that...but a saddle is like a pair of shoes and it should fit you properly.

Hope this no BS answer will help you.  Good luck..hope you win it!!

PS~  I know it is fun asking questions and getting answers( hopefull right ones) BUT, being lazy about researching and learning through your own efforts will make you a better educated horse person in the long run.  Not to mention good 'ol hands-on experience.