How to Choose Size for English Saddles

Picking a properly sized English saddle is vital to having a comfortable ride, whether you are going to be riding in competitions and going over jumps, or just going for a pleasant ride around the park. It is important to keep in mind when sizing an English saddle that English saddles run small. Your Western saddle size is not the same as your English saddle size. But there is a simple method for determining your English saddle size.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sit with your feet flat on the ground, so that your calf and your thigh are at a right angle.

    • 2

      Use the measuring tape to measure along the side of your leg, from the back of your rump to the front of your knee. This will dictate which size saddle you try first.

      If your leg measures less than 16.5", use a 15" saddle.
      If your leg is from 16.5" to 18.5", use a 16" saddle.
      If your leg is from 18.5" to 20", use a 16.5" saddle.
      If your leg is from 20" to 21.5", use a 17" saddle.
      If your leg is from 21.5" to 23", use a 17.5" saddle.
      If your leg measures more than 23", use an 18" saddle.

    • 3

      Go to a tack store and pick a saddle in your size.

    • 4

      Sit on the saddle in your size range. See if you can fit three or four fingers on the saddle behind you before your hand is off the saddle.

    • 5

      Drop your legs from the stirrups and see that they fall naturally and comfortably at your sides.

    • 6

      Try a few saddles. Don't be afraid to test one that is a size bigger, and then one that is a size smaller than the size you determined in Dtep 2. In the end, it is all about comfort.