saddle sizing --- opinions wanted

[wjminwi]

How accurately does this chart work for you?

www.evideolibrary.com/calculators/seat_calculator_eng.html

Just curious how accurate it is.

It tells me I need a 16" English, which is what I have and it fits perfectly too! BUT...according to this, that means I'd use a 14" Western. Not sure that's true....I've never tried a 14" Western though either.

What do you all think?

[MaryS]

No way for me. Says I'm a 15" english, but I ride in a 16 " western. I probably could fit in a 13 inch seat, but then I'd have to have it custom made for my legs.

[appytrails]

Pretty close for me. It says I need a 17 1/2" English which is 15 1/2" Western. I don't own an English saddle but the one I took lesson with was a 17" and fit fine. I ride a 16" Western saddle that fits perfectly. I can fit into a 15" Western but it's a tight fit.

Wendy, unless you've changed considerably from the clinic a few years ago, I'd say a 15" Western would probably be best for you.

[wjminwi]

:-) I'm still the same!
I'm not even saddle shopping. Just came across this calculator thingy and thought is seemed off, so thought I'd get opinions from you all! I'm happy with my dressage that I'm using now. If, someday, I'm able to do rides for more than a couple hours length, I'm sure I'll look again for a western or endurance type with places to tie things...snacks, mostly :-)

I'm going to be selling my Ortho-Flex Patriot soon....working on getting the pics on the computer and then I'll run an add. I loved that saddle...still do!...but after getting my dressage, thinking it would be just for lessons, I've realized that the OFP is way too big for me. :-( I slop around in it, but didn't even notice before...now, unfortunately, I notice (ignorance was bliss!). I'm trying to figure out what it's seat size is...I think it compares more with Western, so I'm guessing it might be comparable to around a 17" seat.

[ghostrider]

I ride in a 16" western but with the Tucker they recommend you buy a size bigger because of the way they are made BUT they don't come in whole sizes. A 15.5 was small so I went with a 17.5 and added a seat cover. It feels big after riding in my slick seated western saddle but it's comfy. I've found that saddles are all made different and the seat is only a good place to start.

Also I've heard the length of your legs makes a big difference on seat size, don't know how that cam be but??

[dani]

I have always had to have one size larger because of leg length. I always thought it was because my fat thighs would not allow the notch at the top to bend right. But my son is the same way and he's anything but fat. He 6' 4 3/4" and weighs around 220 but it's all muscle. When he was 16, his jeans were 30-40. Those were always fun to try to find. That chart would be way off for me. My 18" Tucker was perfect before I lost 47 pounds last year. Now it's a little big. I don't want to get another one because I hope to lose another 50 pounds this year. Slow and steady, but better than gaining. Then maybe I'll look at a new one - but I'd want one just like it and I bought it at the very last of the Tucker Generation One. Don't know how I'll fix that. The Tucker was after a Billy Cook that was too heavy, an Abetta that was too flimsy, and a Dakota that was too narrow on a fat Appaloosa.

[nevadasilk]

It's pretty close for me. Says I need a 17.5 english....which is what I have. I ride in an Ortho Flex that I really don't know what size it is and a 15.5 simco. I feel a little 'swimmy' in the Ortho Flex but I've only had it a few months and haven't ridden much. It feels so english to me! I really think with a little time I'll get used to it. Guess it's a pretty decent guide.

[ghostrider]

My son was 6'2" and only around 165lbs at 15 years old. He rode in a 16" too, now when he rides he rides in the 17.5 Tucker, says the 16" is too tight. I think he's only about 6"3 now.

[wjminwi]

Hey, I just got back from selling my orth-flex! I sold it for the same I paid for it, so that was good...sold it fast too, so even better! We are now a 2-horse/2-rider/2-saddle family, and that makes me happy...but I wonder how long it will last

[lackowitz]

14" sounds pretty small to me. Personally I think 15" is 'average' for a Western. I prefer a little more room & have a 16". I would have thought an English seat would have been smaller if not the same size as a Western - not as much holding you together.