How to Measure Yourself for an English Saddle
Measuring yourself to sit in an English saddle will only give you a general idea of what size saddle you will need in order to ride safely and comfortably. Because of manufacturer design differences, you might need to try out several different saddles to find the one that fits best. You can take certain body measurements and narrow your choices, but only by testing the saddle on both you and your horse can you make a sound decision that will benefit both of you.
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Instructions
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1
Determine your height and weight.
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Sit in a chair with your feet comfortably on the floor and your heels underneath your hipbones -- just as you would when sitting in the English saddle.
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Sit on a tape measure, and determine the measurement from just in front of your crotch to the back of your buttocks in order to get an approximate seat size.
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4
Measure the length of your upper leg from your knee to the back of your buttocks to determine the dip, or depth, of your seat.
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Measure the length of your lower leg from the top of your knee to the middle of your calf to get the length of the English saddle flap.
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Measure the circumference of your upper thigh to determine the width of the saddle flap.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to sit on as many English saddles as necessary at the saddlery to find the one that is most comfortable. Wear the breeches and boots you normally ride in, and try to determine the panel length, tree width and stirrup length that best fits your body.
Try to keep a hand's width between the back of your buttocks and the cantle (the back of the saddle) and four fingers between your front and the pommel (front of the saddle). This assures that you are sitting in the correct position in a saddle that is the right size for you.
Most tack shops will allow you to take a saddle home to try on your horse if you leave a refundable deposit. You will need to cover your horse with a sheet before placing the saddle on his back to keep the saddle clean. You can then tighten the girth and sit in the saddle while on your horse to determine your comfort level in this particular saddle. Remember to leave the tags on the saddle should you decide to return it.
Purchasing an English saddle that is too small forces you to sit too far forward. You will be off balance over your horse's withers, your heels will be behind you and you will be riding in a position to fall. A too-large saddle will make you sit too far back, causing your legs and heels to move in front of your seat, and you will not be able to post or jump without hurting the horse's back.
References
- The U.S. Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship, Susan E. Harris, 1994, Howell Book House
- Enlightened Equitation, Heather Moffett, 2002, David & Charles
