When buying a horse how do you know the size saddle to buy?

Question

When buying a horse how do you know the size saddle to buy?

Answer 1

Saddles are bought to fit your bum not the size of the horse.

Answer 2

Well first you find out what seat size you are.. either a 14,15,16,17, or 18.... find a saddle you like.. Its easier if you are buying new.. Once you have fitted your bum.. then fit your horse, usually they will make different sizes for horses too.

The best thing to do is go to a tack store and try out saddles there... Fit your butt first... then describe your horse to the tack store employee. Depending on whether your horse has high withers or has a broad back they can suggest a saddle size... Even better ask if they do saddle fittings (I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS) a professional can help you fit your horse so he can perform at his best..

Rule of thumb in fitting your own saddle.. English you want one width of your hand to fit in the saddle behind you.. so about 3-4 inches from where your butt stops the the back of the saddle... Western sit in the saddle comfortably and you want have a two finger width space in between the front of your thigh and the cantel..

As for the horse, you do not want it sitting on your horses withers you want some space because you will be sitting on it and don't want it to compress with your weight. Then you want to be able to comfortably slide your hand under the front part of the saddle, in between the saddle and your horses shoulder. You dont want any tight spots... Every thing gets worse when girthed up and sat on. If a saddle is ill fitting you cant fix it with padding!!! On the contrair to what people believe.. for example if you buy shoes that dont fit you dont add more socks to make them fit it just doesnt work, same for saddles.

Good luck, but ask aroud for someone who does saddle fitings.. either a retail tack shop or a trainer..

Answer 3

it doesn't just depend on the size of the horse but more on you. saddles go in inches like 15 in. the 15.5 and so on. then the tree is what matters for the horse. say you get a quarter horse they have a wider back that a TB so you would have to get a med. to a wide tree. BUT say you get a TB then you would need a narrow to regular tree.

Answer 4

Depends on the size of your horse.

Answer 5

the saddle size you buy firstly has to do with what size you need, then you have it fit to your horse