While most people concentrate on their horse’s comfort in saddle fit, it’s equally crucial to ensure the correct saddle fit for you. You’re setting yourself up for potential discomfort in your hips, knees, and lower back by riding in a saddle that doesn’t fit you. If an ill-fitting saddle prevents you from riding in an aligned shoulder-hip-heel position, which helps you stay balanced and allows your hips, knees, and ankles to work as shock-absorbers to support your back, it might cause physical pain.

Poor saddle fit can cause physical pain and training or performance issues. When you feel like you’re about to lose your balance and tumble forward in the saddle, your muscles tighten instinctively to keep you centered. Your horse will very certainly mimic your reaction, making you nervous and stiff. The same is true for saddle fit; if you ride in a saddle that doesn’t fit you properly and you become lopsided, your horse will become imbalanced as well.

What is an English Saddle?

Hunter, jumper, dressage, eventing, fox hunting, and trail riding are English riding disciplines that use English saddles. Although each riding discipline requires certain saddle design differences, all English saddles for sale are built to provide the horse with the most range of movement possible.

An English Saddle’s Parts

The seat and the gullet are the two elements of an English saddle that must be measured.

• The seat, or uppermost section of the saddle, is built for the rider’s comfort – it’s where the rider sits.
• The gullet beneath the seat is designed with the horse in mind. When fitting the gullet, the horse’s size is considered to achieve a comfortable fit that allows the horse to move freely and perform effectively in the riding activity.

How To Evaluate Your Saddle Fitting:

When evaluating your saddle fit, you’re attempting to piece together a puzzle. The more pieces you have, the clearer the whole image becomes, which is why you should take measurements of the rider after evaluating your horse’s saddle fit.

To measure the Seat:

Start by measuring your hips and the length of the upper leg vs. the lower leg in addition to height and weight. Your seat size is determined by measuring your hips and femur length. When you measure your legs, you should compare the top and lower leg measurements to determine where your stirrups should hang from the tree to maintain a balanced stance. You can also follow these steps for a better measurement:

1. Sit on a chair with your knees bent at a 45-degree angle, feet flat on the floor, and buttocks touching the chair’s back.
2. Measure from the back of your knee to the back of your buttocks with a measuring tape along your thigh.
3. For the English saddle to be properly fitted, you should have about a hand’s width of space in front and behind your seat. (Generally, between two and four fingers is suggested.)

To measure the Gullet:

Choosing an English saddle with a properly suited gullet size for your horse’s comfort is critical. Looking down from above on your horse’s back will give you a good idea of the size you’ll need. A medium gullet is normally required for an average-sized horse.

If you’re unsure what size gullet your horse needs, measure his withers.

1. Place a flexible but firm wire two inches beyond the horse’s shoulder blade over the withers, then bend it, so it lays over the withers against the horse’s skin.
2. Next, place the wire on a piece of paper (or more, if necessary) and trace around the inside of it, being careful not to bend the shape you’ve created.

Why Is It Important To Measure The Correct Saddle Fit?

Not only is seat size vital for your comfort, but it also affects how the saddle distributes your weight. Because riding in the wrong size saddle for your height, weight, and leg length can be uncomfortable for you and potentially harmful to your horse’s back, it’s critical to riding in the proper size saddle for your height, weight, and leg length.

Also, knowing the right size of your saddle will help you choose the perfect saddle for sale in Ontario.