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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 520
| I keep seeing so many saddles on this site and some facebook groups that just seem soo tiny! I am just wondering if I am really that big or if I am just riding in the wrong size? I have always ridden in a 15", but doesn't seem like there are really that many saddles up for sale that size, most seem smaller. I am 5'4" and normally around 118 pounds. Anyone around that size care to share what size saddle you ride in? Also do you ride in the same size when you aren't barrel racing? |
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 Quiet Riot
Posts: 2568
 
Location: North Dakota | I am about the same ht/wt as you and I ride in a 13 1/2" saddle. but I wouldn't go more than a 14" if I was you. And I ride in the same seat size when trail riding. But some people just like more room in their saddle, so you should get what's comfortable for you. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1367
 
Location: mi | I am 5'4" and heavier then 118 and I ride in a 15 or 14.5". I really think it is what ever you are comfortable in. But most your size ride in smaller I am sure. and yes when I show in a pleasure class I ride in a 16" I just don't need to be a snugged in on a pleasure horse as I do a rocket.
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 The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | I like about 1.5 inches between my thigh and the swells. I am 183 lbs. at 5'5" and I ride in a 15. I have big thighs though. Thats where I carry my weight. Thighs and butt! lol
Edited by horsegirl 2014-04-14 9:24 AM
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Fire Ant Peddler
Posts: 2881
| First of all having a snug seat is not what holds you in. Second, if your seat is too small you cannot get your feet forward and this throws your body forward. I see one post after another asking what saddle will keep your feet forward. The answer is NONE if your seat is too small. I just ordered a Josey Ultimate and got a 16 since they tend to run a little small. The 15 was just a little cozy for me. |
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 Been Blessed
Posts: 7587
Location: Living in my Promised Land | I am about your size and ride a 13.5 with lots of extra room. In fact, my Pozzi is almost too big. I used to ride a fifteen until I tried 14 and finally realized that a smaller saddle just made sense for me. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I'm 5'9 and 165lbs and I ride a 14" crown c. I had a 15" triple creek but never got to run in it so I can't really say how it felt; prior to that I had a 15.5" RS but needed a smaller seat size. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | Honeymoney - 2014-04-14 8:19 AM First of all having a snug seat is not what holds you in. Second, if your seat is too small you cannot get your feet forward and this throws your body forward. I see one post after another asking what saddle will keep your feet forward. The answer is NONE if your seat is too small. I just ordered a Josey Ultimate and got a 16 since they tend to run a little small. The 15 was just a little cozy for me.
I am going to blow this theory out of the water :) I ride a 15, I should probably have a 15.5 because I am husky, but, I did buy a 16 inch and had a terrible time with my feet getting too far ahead, feet position, IMO has a lot to do with the swing of the fenders not the seat size. I'm finding the more saddles I ride, so far, camarillo, corriente, meleta brown, pozzi, crown c, cactus, there really is a difference in how they ride. Great if they fit the horse, but not so great if I can't ride it comfortably. I've come to the conclusion I'm a camarillo girl, the meleta brown is a very close second and the rest, well, nope not going to work for me. Many more saddles for me to try BUT so far I know what I like. If you are as tiny as you say you are, swing a leg over some 14 or even 13.5 you may be surprised at how much more secure you feel. Look at videos' or pics of you riding, are you slamming into the swells or cantle? Your seat is probably too big. Wish I had your problem I would give anything to have more selection than just the few 15's that are available. I rope in a 15.5. |
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 Gotta Have a Gray
Posts: 899
Location: Tex. Panhandle | I am almost the same size. Both of mine are 14 in seats, however, I am borrowing a 13.5 from a friend to try. I have had several mention to me that they thought my saddles might be a little big. I've thought it a time or two, but now i'm wondering. My mare has a huge move on the backside and sometimes I feel like i'm a little behind. Gonna try a 13.5 and see if I like it |
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  A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | LMS - 2014-04-14 9:50 AM
Honeymoney - 2014-04-14 8:19 AM First of all having a snug seat is not what holds you in. Second, if your seat is too small you cannot get your feet forward and this throws your body forward. I see one post after another asking what saddle will keep your feet forward. The answer is NONE if your seat is too small. I just ordered a Josey Ultimate and got a 16 since they tend to run a little small. The 15 was just a little cozy for me.
I am going to blow this theory out of the water :) I ride a 15, I should probably have a 15.5 because I am husky, but, I did buy a 16 inch and had a terrible time with my feet getting too far ahead, feet position, IMO has a lot to do with the swing of the fenders not the seat size. I'm finding the more saddles I ride, so far, camarillo, corriente, meleta brown, pozzi, crown c, cactus, there really is a difference in how they ride. Great if they fit the horse, but not so great if I can't ride it comfortably. I've come to the conclusion I'm a camarillo girl, the meleta brown is a very close second and the rest, well, nope not going to work for me. Many more saddles for me to try BUT so far I know what I like. If you are as tiny as you say you are, swing a leg over some 14 or even 13.5 you may be surprised at how much more secure you feel. Look at videos' or pics of you riding, are you slamming into the swells or cantle? Your seat is probably too big. Wish I had your problem I would give anything to have more selection than just the few 15's that are available. I rope in a 15.5.
I hear you girl! I just invested in a 16 inch Pro Rider. I like the Pro Riders, since there isn't a lot of foo foo to them and they manage to hold up for a LONG time under heavy use. I have the 4 inch cantle. I have found that the 5 inch just throws me forward. I was riding in a 15 inch, which is way too small. Then tried a 15.5 inch, which was still too small.
With a 16 I am sitting IN the saddle instead of ON it. There is a difference.
Seat size varies between brands. It depends on how big the swell is, whether it's a round or square front, or even a bear trap, and what size cantle you get. A 5 inch will suck up some actual seat area pretty quick, whereas the 4 inches aren't as bad. And the angle of the cantle plays a role too.
It's all about preference. My hubby prefers a 14.5 seat. He likes to not be able to move at all. LOL I like a little more room to wiggle.
To the OP: Ride in what you're comfortable in. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 520
| Thank you so much! Sounds like I am riding in a saddle too large! I do find myself grabbing for my horn a lot because I feel like I am slipping back. I had saw a 14" I really wanted on ebay and let it slip by because I thought it would be too small for me. |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | I am 5'2 and around 117 and I ride in a 13.5 and a 14. Sometimes the 14 feels to big for me. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Go to a saddle shop and sit in different makes/styles.
I have a 13.5 Lockhart, had a 14 kaminiski and felt I had more room in the Lockhart.
If you are looking at crown c's they say when you get to the 9 inch gullet more people then not go to a size bigger. |
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 Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20904
Location: LouLouVille, OK | I think it all depends on where you have your stirrups set... if you ride with a shorter stirrup you usually ride a bigger seat... at least that is true for me
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | OhMax - 2014-04-14 8:49 AM
I'm 5'9 and 165lbs and I ride a 14" crown c. I had a 15" triple creek but never got to run in it so I can't really say how it felt; prior to that I had a 15.5" RS but needed a smaller seat size.
What other saddles have you rode in? What is the RS?
I'm 5'9" & 160 and ride in a 15" Billy Cook (the only barrel saddle I've ever had). I sat in a 14.5" Crown C a few weeks ago and I felt like it was too snug, but maybe I'm just used to riding in my bigger seat and maybe the stirrups needed to be let out and I would have been more comfortable. Just curious if I could actually be in a 14" something. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 520
| How much room should have I between my thigh and the pommel? And between my pommel/horn and belt? |
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Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | Whatever is comfortable, however, when I see someone in a good size for them, there is usually 1/2 to 1 inch between the end of the swells and their thighs. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| For me it depends on the balance of the saddle. We have some 14" circle y's I'm very uncomfortable in. My crown c is quite comfy, there isn't much room between the pommel and my thigh, and if I post too high my buckle bumps the horn, but I feel very secure.
The crown c's ride way different than they sit on a stand IMO. |
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