What is the average size of a leather dressage saddle?

Question

weight, length, width....

Answer 1

I am not sure I agree entirely with Newmarket's answer,though it is partially correct. Dressage saddles are sized to fit the horse first, and then the rider's comfort is taken into consideration. Newmarket is also correct when she says that measurements for a dressage saddle need to be done by a professional saddler, preferably someone who specializes in the sport and is familar with the different breeds of horses which compete in it. The usual method of measurement for most saddles is from the top of the pommel ( the front) of the saddle to the top of the cantle at the back. The flaps, or side panels, are measured vertically from top to bottom. Sizes vary widely, depending on the size of the horse and what breed the animal is- warmbloods generally have broader backs than say, a thoroughbred, so they require a saddle with a wider tree. ( The tree is the wooden frame upon which ALL saddles are built, even Western ones.)

It's also worth mentioning that not all dressage saddles are made of leather, especially these days. Synthetic saddles have become very popular because of their light weights and flexibility- most of them have trees which adjust easily for different types of horses and sports. I know a number of people who have used or currently use such saddles, and many of them swear by it. My saddle is leather, but I have also ridden in a synthetic saddle- and they are quite comfortable and easy to carry.

I hope this answers your question.

Answer 2

it mostly depends on the size of (excuse my language) of your seat or your butt (sorry about that) and slightly on the size of your horse's back. so i guess that you have to sit in it and try it out. when you are sitting in a saddle in the correct possition you should have a flat hand's with (only one hands with not 2) (palm down hand flat fingers together) between the back of you (butt) and the back of the saddle, this way you know that you have the propper amount of room. more or lessof a hands length then it is eathier too big (if you have more than a hands with) or too small (less than a hands with). oh, and your hand should be horizontaly placed between your (butt) and the back of the sattle. if it is vertically placed then you will have too much space between your (butt) and the back of the saddle and it will be wrong so make sure that is is horizontally placed not vertically places. i hope that this helps some what.

Answer 3

I'm afraid the previous answerer is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

As a dressage saddle is used for English style riding, the size is totally dependent on the horse and has very little, if anything to do with the size of the rider.

Western-style riding saddles ARE dependent on the size of the rider, but they are for an entirely different purpose to  dressage saddles (ie comfort over long distances v. close contact with the horse to transmit the aids)

As any horse can do dressage, from a 12hh pony to an 18hh warmblood, it is impossible to say what the average size for a dressage saddle is.

If you are looking to get a saddler, you should always get a professional to measure your horse, until you now how to do it yourself.