How to Determine Saddle Seat Size
The saddle was developed as a means to increase the security and comfort of the horseback rider. It has developed to include versions of the western stock saddle, the European or "English" flat-saddle and the Australian stock saddle, as well as lesser known cultural variations.
Regardless of the style of saddle used, the key to maximum security and comfort for the rider is using the correct size of saddle seat. In the stock saddle, where a rider may be riding a horse that is "cold-backed" or prone to buck, this is especially critical.
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Instructions
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Determine the height of the cantle. This is the large, dished projection at the rear of the saddle seat. It is designed to keep the rider in the seat. Your cantle height will depend on the riding purpose. Many rodeo timed-event athletes such as tie-down calf-ropers and steer-wrestlers, or "bull-doggers," will prefer a very low cantle that allows them to exit the saddle safely while the horse is still moving at high speed.
For the bronc rider or working ranch cowboy who finds himself riding horses that do not want to behave, a higher cantle will increase security in the saddle. Some ranch cowboys in the "buckaroo" country of eastern Oregon and northern Nevada use cantles as high as 6 inches.
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Measure the width of the forks, or pommel. This is the raised portion at the front of the saddle seat. The horn is attached to the top of the forks. The width of the forks will vary based on design. Design preferences also will vary based on the task the saddle is used for as well as what region the horseman is from. Most rodeo cowboys and ranch cowboys from east of the Continental Divide, will use a "swell fork" design. On the swell-fork saddle, there will be a noticeable bulge outward to the forks. This bulge can be used to help lock the legs in place, ensuring a secure seat.
In the buckaroo country, most cowboys ride a "slickfork" saddle. As a cultural phenomenon of the region, it is also common in Montana and parts of Wyoming. The slick forks will go from the base of the horn almost straight down, with no outward flare. While it does not provide the "locked-in" protection of the swell fork saddle, it is more comfortable for the all-day, long-distance rides these cowboys put in daily.
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Measure the length of the seat from the back of the forks to the cantle. This is the most commonly stated measurement of a saddle's size. The utility of different seat sizes is based on the size of the rider. A grown adult will likely find a 15-inch or 16-inch seat comfortable, while a small-framed adult or youth will be more secure in a saddle seat ranging from 13 to 14 inches. Large-framed adults may need an even larger saddle seat, as long as 17 inches or more.
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Tips & Warnings
Combine the three measurements to determine the saddle that will provide the best combination of security and comfort for you. This should be based on your needs and riding interests, not the recommendations of the tack store owner. A saddlemaker may be a good source of specific details on which measurements will be ideal for you.
Sitting on top of a 1,000-pound animal with a mind and desires of its own is inherently dangerous. Even when dealing with a docile horse, seek professional riding instruction from an expert with experience in your chosen riding discipline.
If you have a horse that is ill-mannered or needs to be started, you and the horse will be better off if you send it to a professional trainer with good references.
References
- "Saddle Savvy: A Guide to the Western Saddle;" Dusty Johnson; 1999
- "Making and Repairing Western Saddles;" Dave Jones; 1982
