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Getting an English sadde --- Eeeeek

4K views 25 replies 14 participants last post by  QHriderKE 
#1 ·
I'm finally doing it! I'm getting an English saddle! I'm gonna be picking it up within the next few days. It comes with a bridle and such, so I'll probably be lost on how stuff works. But oh well. I'll be sure to gets pics of my first ride in it so you all can laugh at me :lol:
 
#6 ·
I think your stirrups could be a little longer too since your heel is almost perpendicular to the ground and your legs are really forward. Also the pad has slipped back, does the saddle fit your horse?

But otherwise, congrats on trying English :)
 
#8 ·
I'm still stuck in cowboy mode, heels down and out lol... so it shall be a hard habit to bend.

The pad was slipping back for some reason.. it could probably be because my horse has no withers! Eeek! But she's is slowing growing up and getting some...
 
#12 ·
it's hard to tell if the saddle fits but you might want to go a half size up. I am 5'6" and I use a 17.5...it's all about measuring your femur...Take a measuring tape and measure your femur from where your butt and leg meets to the lower part of the femur and you will find your seat size. Also brands differ in sizes sometimes.

You can be a skinny thing and ride in a 18"..just depends on your leg..

you will get your leg down...i use to have a really bad forward seat...also had a 17" that was a bit too small...got a new saddle and fits well.
 
#13 ·
i agree the saddle looks a little small, but other wise yall look fantastic! just watch those diagonals when posting:wink: welcome to the dark side hehe
 
#14 ·
Yes.....welcome to the dark side...MWAHAHA!!!

The saddle pad had a tether with a loop on the end. This loop goes around whichever girth billet (what the girth buckles to) will hold it snugly. This will help keep it from sliding.

yes, the saddle looks more like a 16.5 than a 17.5, which is pretty small looking. But, you can still have fun. Woohoo! next you will be jumping and doing dressage! It is all downhill now.
 
#15 · (Edited)
I'm still learning about all the little doo-mahickeys on the saddle and stuff. I'm sure it'll get worse when I get the bridle! Heheheh.

I think I'll have to get a few basics down first, and then maybe try me some jumping. Maybe cross country... the dun I'm riding likes to jump bushes and weeds that she could easily step through...

My horse already does a half pass, only one direction though... silly pony.
 
#17 ·
Ladies, - a few words about English saddles:

The length of an English saddle is set by the length of the horse's spine and rib cage.
The angle of the width of the saddle is determined by the broadness of the horse's back. Saddles come: narrow, ordinary, wide, extra wide.
The horse's wither & spine must be kept free from pressure at all times.

All the rider has to feel is: 'comfortable'.

Some saddles have high cantles which provide a deep seat
Some saddles have cutback pommels to allow for a high wither.
Jumping saddles have deep knee rolls.
Dressage saddles are stright cut

The presence or absence of kneerolls, and the shape of skirt, are determined by the type of saddle and the use predicted for it.

The stirrup leathers allow the ball of the foot to rest on the bar of the stirrup iron - with the heel laying slightly lower than the toe. Buy synthetic leathers rather than pure leather which stretch with use.
The rider's leg should hang down naturally - unless the stirrup leathers are deliberately adjusted short for jumping or cross country riding.

A well fitting saddle, preferably as determined by a saddle fitter, is the secret of a correct riding position. The saddle fits primarily the horse not the rider.

Leather saddles require re-stuffing from time to time in accordance with the shape of the horse back. Some leather saddles have a greater depth of soft stuffing than others.

Look up the Ideal Saddle Co UK website - all the info you need is there.

English saddles made in England are sold as:
General Purpose, Hunting, Show-Jumping, Dressage & Endurance.
Each has a different cut.

Brits expect that when they buy a new horse - it might need its own new saddle.

A saddle pad is not designed to make an ill fitting saddle fit - it is designed to ease and soften the weight of the rider on the horse's back.
The saddle should fit the horse without any padding.

If the horse fattens up thru lack of work or alternatively if it loses weight and muscles up - then the saddle will need re-stuffing.

Remember the 'foot'print of an English saddle is small compared with a Western saddle. The pressure per square inch is greater so the English saddle must match exactly the shape of the horse's back. It must sit flat and horizontal with the rider's weight equally dispersed front to rear, side to side.
It must not rock front to rear.
 
#18 ·
I believe that the saddle fit my long-backed horse well, it's solid on her and fits just as good as my western saddle does, even though she doesn't have much for withers... The saddle sits off of her wither and for what I can see, she doesn't fuss about any issaues with the fit.
 
#21 ·
It looks like you are placing it too far forward and it also looks too narrow as it is tipping backwards (due to it being too high at the front). It is easy to measure a saddle, just measure from the stud to the centre of the cantle. It doesn't look right for both you and your horse in those pics. Great advice from Barry Godden - Ideal saddles are my favourites.:)
 
#24 ·
That last video looks pretty good.

Your feet are rotated waaaaay out, probably a left over from riding in western saddles. To get your hips and legs sitting closer to the horse, try stretching like so: once you get on the horse, drop one stirrup and bring that leg back up so you can grab your ankle. Then pull up and back as far and for as long as you can stand it. Switch sides, and then do that two or three more times.

In not too long you'll have to drop your stirrups a hole or two because your legs are draping longer over the horse and your thighs will be rotating inwards so your toes won't be pointed out so much.

I'm a strong believer in adults choosing how to live their lives, but I will strongly recommend a helmet. Your call though.
 
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