saddle length

[Deleted]

Have been wondering about the length of my saddle, being that it is 17" and my pony has the typical dales short back and he's only a little un he is fine hacking, but shortly going to be starting to school him and am wondering if a 16" (which would probably fit him better, but not sure about me!) would be easier for him. Not wanting to be hampering his lovely dales action in any way!  What do other folks do? pony comfort or rider comfort. Could compromise and get a 16 1/2" but not sure if that would really be smaller enough.

[mickey]

We've got our in 17" saddles which are fine. I'd say you'd do more damage with a saddle thats too small for the rider as the weight wouldnt be evenly distributed. If in doubt get a saddler out to have a look. Some models mean the rider can get away with a smaller seat, others you cant.

[dalesnfellfan]

I've got Em in a 17" and on her last saddle check saddle fitter said it was fine for her now but if she does any more growing and comes up more in the front (the previous check she had been bum high but has now grown and evened out)it will push the saddle back and make it too long (beyond the last rib)she is also a little un being just about 14hh. I am having her saddle checked every 3 months at present until I know she has stopped changing shape/growing.

My saddle fitter said the same as Mickey about rider size and a large rider in a saddle too small for them damaging the ponies back and has found a saddle that allowed a larger 17 1/2" seat for Amy on Silver, which accommodates her larger size on a 14hh Fell while still keeping the saddle in front of the last rib. The saddle was a Bates.
If in doubt get your saddle properly checked

[ikklecob]

I have a 17 inch as well.

[heathera]

I have 17" saddles on mine as well. Merlin is the shortest backed (and the tallest) and could really do with a 16.5" saddle but there's no way I'd fit that. I have WOW saddles with flair so the weight is spread out well. My saddler said the same as others, it's better to have a saddle that is slightly long by half an inch but means the rider can sit in balance and not weight the cantle or pommel. If the rider doesn't have a hands width of space at front and back of saddle it can mean saddle is too small for their build but if the saddle is too long for the pony then you have a mismatch that means pony needs a different rider.
My saddler is great, do you have one that you can talk to about this? When I was bit too big and only riding in walk due to that I dropped my stirrups really long too as that helped me sit centrally in the saddle. Short stirrups meant I was sitting heavily onto the cantle and you could see the uneven grease and sweat marks on the saddle cloth.

[harveydales]

Yes, I echo all Heather has said. Also not all 17" saddles are the same from the point of view of contact length on the horse's back. !7" is measured from the pommel to the middle of the cantle and doesn't take into account the panel underneath so style of saddle can make a difference.

[dusty]

Personally Id get a trusted saddler out. Like Em says ours have 17" but Rory only just gets away with it and if he was a mare he'd be in a 16.5. Sadly my bottom prefers a 17 but I can get in a 16.5 if it is a flatter seat.

[Deleted]

Thanks for your help everyone, we're currently using a wintec 17" with cair and he seems fine in that, though will need to upgrade to a leather one if we start showing so can ask saddlers opinion then, but will probably wait till he matures a bit more.

[heathera]

Keep an eye on the Cair as I've know it become really hard and damage horses backs in the past. Saddle panels should always feel slightly squidgy with give in them.