The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Sizing a dressage saddle

10K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  kitten_Val 
#1 ·
I am considering taking dressage lessons. How do I know what size seat I would need for a dressage saddle? Are they measured the same as a western saddle? I am also assuming the gullet is measured the same as a western saddle?? Thanks for the advice!
 
#2 ·
You're going to need a saddle fitter to make sure everything fits, as there's more to consider than the gullet width.

There's a million ways people will tell you how to measure yourself for a saddle, the closest being to add 2" from a Western to an English-type saddle. However, if you're someone like me who has super long thighs, you'll need to take that into consideration so your knees don't get pushed off the knee rolls/blocks. For example, my seat would fit in a 16.5" but I ride in a 17.5" because of my leg.

The easiest way is to try a few different sizes on and see which fits best. If you're taking lessons on lesson horses, the instructor should be able to let you try a few different saddles for sizing. English/dressage saddles are measured differently in the seat; you measure from the middle of the cantle (back of the seat) to the button on the skirts.
 
#3 ·
Fitting the english saddle is NOT the same as fitting western, and gullets are different. In fact it's much harder to fit english saddle (in my experience). So my suggestions are either call saddle fitter out (as already suggested) or do the tracings and talk to the fitter or tack store over the Internet. If your saddle doesn't fit you may damage the horse's back in long run.

As for size, I rode in 15" western, but my dressage and jumping are both 18" because I'm tall with long legs. This is the calculator on what seat size you need: English Saddle Seat Size Calculator
 
  • Like
Reactions: CJ82Sky
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top