Saddle sizing, 16.5" or 17" ?! 16hh horse.

Hey guys,

I Ride in both a 16.5" and 17" saddles and both are comfortable, and fit my ponies etc.

My leg length and weight, and what everyone has said, from saddle fitters to shop keepers, that I'm 'supposed' to be in a 16.5"

I got this new horse, she's 16hh, none of my saddle fit her *sigh* so I'm buying a new one.

What size should I get?! Would the 16.5" look small and funny on such a big horse. (yes I know I will get one that fits her etc. etc.)

Does anyone have photo's of a 16.5" saddle on a 16hh-ish horse?! Or bigger!

Also, would the 16.5" help my seat and legs etc?!

Thanks!!(:

Hello,

In all honestly - you can't see that 1/2 inch from the ground. :) No one WILL ever know your saddle size except for you and whoever you tell. Buy the saddle that you feel fits you appropriately and allows you to maintain your position comfortably. - Remember that the depth of the seats makes a difference in how they fit as well, a 16.5 from one manufacturer may fit better than a 17 (and feel larger) from a different manufacturer.

Your seat size does not affect your horse in the slightest.

Thanks (: I've seen a few people on big horses and small looking saddles, it looks weird and just not right, so I didn't want to look like that :P

And a small horse w/a BIG saddle probably looks even funnier-LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist.

Hahahhaa, yeah it would, but at least the small saddle on the big horse wouldn't hurt the horse, unlike the big saddle on a little horse, would hurt there back/coup.

The 16.5" or 17" refers to the size of the seat area. You can get different sizes of skirting depending on the saddle or who makes it.
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Yeah I know.... I don't care about the skirting.

Are you talking english or western? (I don't know much about english sizing, so not sure.) But my best friends horse is 16.2 or so, and she rides in a 16 inch barrel saddle on him, and it looks good. My paint is 16hh, and I ride in both a 16.5 roper and a 17 in trail.

Sorry, I mean english, thanks though!

We had a girl riding with us for a while, and she rode the TB in a size 16 english saddle. ( she was a tiny girl!) But she rode with a big square pad, which I think makes a difference.