Saddle size conversion....

ALWAYS try the saddle before you buy it. Don't take these recommendations, then go online and order a saddle.

We usually suggest a size and a half to two sizes up (from western to english) based on the rider's height/weight ratio, but the best best is to at least go sit in some before buying online, because everyone prefers a different fit.

Best of luck!

You have to be careful with larger sized western saddles. When you start getting past 16 inches, the load gets too far aft on the horse's back and makes the tail of the bars start to poke the loins. Can make a horse pretty uncomfortable. If you need a 19" western seat, you also need a large horse and possibly a custom saddle. A 19" Ralide tree just isn't going to be good for the rider or the horse.

I stand 5'9" and weigh in at 185 pounds, average build. Now that's not huge, but I could stand to lose 15 pounds. I sit comfortably in a 15" western seat. I can sit comfortably in a 16" cutting saddle or roping saddle, but I start feeling a little bit like I'm sitting on a table after that. I prefer a 15" saddle with a tall cantle for most riding. It's a little different for men and women, since they tend to carry body weight in different locations, but the fact remains that when you start getting up into the higher numbers of seat length, you start having saddle fit problems on the horse's back.

There's a great site by an excellent custom tree builder at http://rodnikkel.com. He has put out some great articles, in the form of blog posts, on his site touching all aspects of saddle trees. It's a good read.

But to "plus-one" on the original question, Aussie and English saddles measure the same way, which I believe is between the highest points on the pommel and the cantle, but Western saddles measure seat length from the base of the horn, where it transitions to the pommel, to the seam on the top of the cantle. In general, a 15" western equates to a 17" Aussie or English. Having said that, saddles of the same measurement from different makers may fit differently on a given individual or horse.

Not sure about Aussie, but English saddles are measure from the nailhead on the side of the pommel (not the highest point) to the center of the cantle.

Thanks for that info, I wasn't sure about that. I've read that Aussie saddles are measured the same way as English, but then there's that pesky poly right there.

When you say the center of the cantle, do you mean the center-top of the cantle or a point in the middle of the seat? Explain it a little more. I'd like to know.

The highest point in the middle of the cantle- a picture's worth a 1000 words (Not my photo, just one I found on a Google image search)

Thanks for that. I guess the OP got a $5 answer to a $2 question.

Thenrie, you are 5'9". I am also 5'9"; however, I suspect that we have different builds. I am female; you are male. You don't weigh all that much more than I do; however, I am most likely more overweight than you are. Another thing, most men have a proportionally taller upper body than women. I am tall, but I am all legs. I wear a 34 inch inseam. So if my legs are longer, our saddle needs will be different. I feel very cramped in a 15" western saddle. I use a 17" western saddle.

The difference is about two inches, although I ride in a 15" Western saddle and an 18" English saddle (the English saddle has a really deep seat, so it measures a bit longer).

12" Western = 14" English
12.5" = 14.5" English
13" Western = 15" English
13.5" Western = 15.5" English
14" Western = 16" English
14.5" = 16.5" English
15" Western = 17" English
15.5" Western = 17.5" English
16" Western = 18" English
16.5" Western = 18.5" English
17" Western = 19" English

Hope this helps!

WRONG. I fit perfectly in my 17 English, and my 16 western. Sorry-not a good chart.

There are LOTS of 16" western saddle folks-and very very few 18" english. That alone should tell you something.