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 Expert
Posts: 1631
   
Location: Somewhere around here | Ok so I'm 5'3" and 135lbs. I wear pants from size 5 to 9 (depending on brand, tightness, and rise) and I'm having some thoughts. In a treed saddle I rode in a 15". Had a few fingers in between my thigh and the swell and I felt comfortable. Well in my treeless I'm actually riding in a 16.5" seat because when I sat in it at the store it felt like it fitted my booty and thighs, and had a couple of fingers between my thigh and the swell. I've been riding in it for about a month now and I really like it, but thinking maybe I should get a smaller sized one. But when I tried a 15.5" treeless a few years back it felt too small and not good for someone who is claustrophobic.
So I guess what I'm wondering is, with treeless saddles do you have to feel the swell on your thigh constantly for you to fit the saddle correctly? I always see girls who are about my size riding saddles in smaller sizes and maybe I should jump in the bandwagon.
Edited by cecollins0811 2017-12-13 7:37 AM
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I would definitely say the saddle you are currently in is too large. It also depends on the type of treeless, cantle and pommel height. Tammy Fishers are very high cantle and pommel and give you that trapped feeling. A Jackie Jatzlau model has a much lower cantle and pommel. A Just B Natural has a high cantle and pommel, but the pommel isn't nearly as upright as the Tammy, which is why I ride in one!
I haven't been in many Bob Marshalls, but they can be either I think, depending on the model.
I'm 5'6 and 175 and I ride in a 14.5 Just B Natural. I would be all over the place in anything larger. I had a 15.5 and was a size 7 (I gained to the 175!) in pants and I was like a drunk monkey! I currently have about a 1/2 to inch of space in mine.
Another thing to consider is your horses Rock - Or wither height/butt height A horse with high withers is going to push the pommel and cantle together more as well in the shape of a U as the saddle settles. I have a friend who's 5'2 130 and she's in a 15.5 Tammy Fisher because her horse has a pretty decent sway to his back. Anything else would cut into her stomach when she gets up and rides. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 585
Location: Texas | I'm 5'6" and weigh 125 lbs., I ride a 14 1/2". I like to have a little more room. I have a Bob Marshall barrel saddle and a trail model. The trail model is built just like the barrel saddle but has a shorter pommel and cantle. It's my favorite to ride. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | I'm about your same size... 5'3", 140 on a bad day lol, but I ride in a size 15" Bob Marshall. Their website stated I would need a size 15.5" treeless, and 14.5 treed. Since I've been on a weight loss/get fit journey I decided to go with a 15" instead of 15.5. It fits me great! I dont think my legs rub at all, and I also like to have my freedom to move in the saddle.
I do agree with others who stated it depends on how the saddle is made. (high rise, etc)
Also, since these saddles tend to form to the horses back; I've heard horses with more sway or "rock" to their back might require the rider to bump the seat up a size. |
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Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | Ok so I did a few measurements yesterday on my saddle and my leg opening is 9 inches and when I'm riding I have my two finger width between my thigh and swell. I'm happy with that, I just think I need a smaller seat. Measured the seat size and it comes to a 16.5 inch, but the cantle is not straight up, which is giving me the extra room I think. I'll try to upload a picture or two.
http://i68.tinypic.com/ax1gjk.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/3150coh.jpg
Edited by cecollins0811 2017-12-13 7:36 AM
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Hilason's do fit a little different, but for your size, if running barrels, I'd go down a size. I sat in a 15 inch and it was just fine. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I am 5"3 and weigh 155. I ride a 16" BM but was comfortable in a 15.5 Tammy Fischer. I ride a 15" treed saddle. |
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Veteran
Posts: 144
| Is Hilason stepping up their game now? |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| BayRoan - 2017-12-13 9:06 AM Is Hilason stepping up their game now?
They aren't horrible. Are they Super Top Quality? NO. But they aren't India type junk now by any means. |
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Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | Lol yes it is a Hilason. My goal is to have a Bob Marshall next but with two little kids and only my husband working we don't have a lot of spare money. I would say it's not bad, but not top grade. It works great for me and my horse and has really helped his back this past month. |
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | Nateracer - 2017-12-13 9:47 AM
BayRoan - 2017-12-13 9:06 AM Is Hilason stepping up their game now?
They aren't horrible. Are they Super Top Quality? NO. But they aren't India type junk now by any means.
My friends bought one for their daughter a couple years ago for Christmas...she had ridden in my treeless and begged them for one. The couldn't afford $1000+, so went with the Hilason.
She used and abused that thing for over a year before she saved enough money to buy a nicer one, and sold it. It held up nicely for her, and she was putting in hours riding multiple horses in it.
I'm really tempted to get one to have a second saddle. |
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