Hello all ... new to this gig and I'm not very techy so bare with me LOL! I'm wanting to special order a Corriente saddle. I am not a barrel racer, primarily do trail and some pleasure arena riding but I have sat in some barrel saddles and I always feel more secure on my horse in that type of saddle. I can be a nervous rider sometimes and my horse is pretty agile when he spooks so I want to order a saddle that makes me feel kinda 'stuck' to my horse. Currently I have a 15 inch Circle Y slick seat trail saddle that is way too big for me. I'm about 100-105 lbs and 5'3", lean build (small legs and booty). Corriente is recommending 13.5 to 14 inch seat. Not sure why 1/2 inch is making it so difficult to make a decision to finally place the order but since I know it cannot be returned (special order!) I want to make sure I get the best size. I have not been able to find a Corriente barrel saddle to sit in as a trial so I guess I'm hoping some advice from others who know their saddles can help me :) 

This is the saddle that I got a year ago. I love it!  I think the pencil roll makes a better pocket in the seat and I like the feel of the whole roughout.  I got the 5" deep seat in a 14.5. According to my size and yours I'd say you could go the 13.5 for sure and probably the 13.

Thank you so much for your reply! Your saddle is beautiful WOW! I see yours is a straight up cantle with hard seat. I was thinking of cheyenne roll and doing padded imitation elephant seat since my sit bones tend to get a bit sore after long trail rides (need more padding on my tush! LOL) Any thoughts on that changing your seat size recommendation? I like the look of pencil roll but I do tend to use the cantle to grab the saddle as well as to hold from time to time. Who knew there could be so many options to choose from when buying a saddle?!?!?! Also curious ... have you ever used or know anyone who has used sheepskin seat cover for added comfort? 

Padded vs hard doesn't seem to make any difference in my seat size and I don't notice any difference in the way they feel.  I've never used one of those sheep skin covers but have seen people that use them that really liked them.

It took me about a month to decide on what I wanted and finally pull the trigger and order mine so I understand.

You're lucky it only took you a month to pull the trigger ... I've been 'holding the gun' for several months now! I've always been one who struggles to make decisions but WOW this one is really difficult for me. It would be so much easier if I could actually sit in one before ordering but that just isn't in the cards so it's gonna have to be a big leap of faith. AHHHH! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts/suggestions. Now ... just gotta JUMP! 

I know what you mean about being able to sit in one.  I found some people close that had them but never could get the time to go try them.  I just went by their opinions and lots of faith.

It's not how smog your saddle is that holds you in. It's the weight in your stirrups. The worst thing you can do is get a seat that is too small. I don't care what kind of riding you do. If your seat is too small your feet get behind you and you can't balance because you cannot get your weight in your feet in your stirrups. I think you would be happiest with a 14 inch seat. 

I have a 14" corriente rope saddle. It is a pencil roll deep seat and they told me when I ordered it that those typically fit 1/2" smaller. I am 5'6" and 110 pounds. I would have ordered a 13.5 but at the time they didn't make that size in my saddle. I will say though, just to pleasure ride, I wouldn't go as tight as I would when competing. 

I just had a student order a new corriente barrel racer, padded seat, rolled cantle, and I think they are pretty true to size. She was riding, and very scrunched, in a 14 inch. She wanted about two fingers clearance, so she could shorten her stirrups without hitting the swells with her thighs, so she ordered a 15 and that's exactly what she got. I honestly would go with the 14 because I think if you go too small you could end up getting your feet behind you. I think you'll naturally feel more secure in a smaller seated saddle, even if you still have a little room.

I agree with the 14 inch seat, if all your going to do is pleasure ride and trail riding a 14 would be a perfect fit, Even in my barrel saddles I want some room to beable to wiggle around, I dont want to be crammed into a saddle and after a few hours of riding feel all stiff because I could not move my hips around. Pleasure/trail riding you need some room. 

What were the seat sizes on the barrel saddles you rode in? A slick seat saddle is not the best feeling if you have a jumpy horse, so if you go with a saddle with rough out jockeys and a seat that's not slick (Suede type ) you will see a big difference in how you feel, I even bet if your 15 inch pleasure saddle was not a slick seat and had the rough out jockeys you would not even be looking for a different saddle. Slick padded vs a normal suede padded seat, there is a big difference between the two. 

Thanks for your reply! The barrel saddles I've ridden in have been 15" ... too roomy. Also rode in a Circle Y high cantle extra padded one that I was told was a 14-14.5 that was a dream to ride ... best seat I've ever had, felt SO SAFE in that one. It was for sale but, of course, I thought 'hey if I can order one exactly like I want then I'll do that!' Little did I know I would almost have a meltdown just trying to pick one out! LOL Definitely should have purchased the other one when I had the chance BUT no looking back. I totally agree with roughout vs slick. I'm looking to order a full roughout saddle with padded seat as well as the cut in fenders to allow my legs to move more freely so that should help with security as well. Sounds like 14 is the way to go to be ensure I'm not too cramped in it. Now to bite the bullet!

Thank you so much for feedback ... sounds like 14 is the safer choice! :)

Thank you for your reply! I totally agree, since I'm not competing, it's more about comfort as well as feeling secure. I think 14 may be the way to go. Are you happy with your saddle and size?

Hey ... since y'all are so awesome sharing feedback ... I'm thinking about 'in seat riggin' which I have not ridden. Do any of you have a preference? I do like to ride in shorts, not sure if that will affect anything but heard that set up can be easier on the knees.

I've never ridden in the 'in seat rigging' option with the fenders. Are you happy with that option? Do you ever get 'pinched'?