| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | and brands of saddles and you'll find significant |
| Western Saddle Seat Size - - What Size Do I | | | | differences in the fit. You might find that a 14 1 |
| Need? | | | | 2" Circle Y barrel racing saddle fits well but that |
| What size of Western saddle will you need? Well, | | | | you need a 15" in a Dale Martin ranch saddle. |
| that depends. Not the answer you wanted to | | | | Why the differences? |
| hear, right? | | | | There are a number of measurements in addition |
| Let's explain why this seemingly simple question | | | | to seat size that impact the fit of a western |
| isn't so straightforward. | | | | saddle. These include: |
| First, start with some general rules of thumb for | | | | * Seat Depth: Some saddles have deep seats |
| proper western saddle fit for the rider: | | | | designed to keep you in place during extreme |
| * Keep in mind that Western saddle seat size | | | | activity and others have shallower seats to allow |
| refers to rider fit and has nothing to do with how | | | | for more movement. |
| the saddle fits the horse | | | | * Seat Slope: The seat angles from the handhold |
| * There should be approximately four inches | | | | back towards the cantle and the slope can range |
| between the front of your body and the fork (or | | | | from relatively flat to steep. |
| swells). | | | | * Cantle Slope: The cantle can be high and straight |
| * Your rump should rest on the base of the | | | | or have a slope that is mild or steep. |
| cantle, but should not be pressed against the back | | | | * Cantle Dish: The cantle can be flat or have a |
| of the cantle. | | | | recess or dish in the front side that can be an |
| * Some prefer a tighter fit, some looser. In | | | | inch or more in depth. |
| general, its better to have a saddle a smidge too | | | | * Fork Style: There are a wide range of fork |
| big than a smidge too small. | | | | styles that can range from wide swells to slick |
| All western saddles come with a stated seat size. | | | | fork saddles with barely any swell. |
| Seat size simply measures the distance from the | | | | * Fork Angle: Forks can be straight or angle away |
| base of the horn to the top middle of the cantle. | | | | from the rider. |
| This distance is then expressed as a size in | | | | Each of these features can affect the way a |
| half-inch increments from 12 inches to 17 inches. | | | | saddle fits a rider. Unfortunately, none of these |
| The following will give you a very general idea of | | | | other measurements are standardized or |
| saddle sizes: | | | | published in a saddle's measurements. So, when |
| * Youth: 12"-13" | | | | shopping for a Western saddle, the only way to |
| * Small Adult: 14" | | | | truly determine fit is to sit in each saddle. Only |
| * Average Adult: 15" | | | | then will you know if the saddle is a good fit for |
| * Large Adult: 16" | | | | you. |
| * Extra Large Adult: 17" | | | | Western Saddle Guide |
| With a published saddle seat size, choosing the | | | | Whether you're just starting out with horses or a |
| right size saddle would seem to be pretty | | | | seasoned horseman, the Western Saddle Guide |
| straightforward. In reality seat size is just one | | | | provides all the information you need to |
| factor determining the fit of a western saddle. Sit | | | | understand, choose, and care for the saddle that's |
| in the same size of a variety of different styles | | | | right for you. |