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Saddle Fitting
How to measure a saddle seat size

How to measure a saddle seat size

By Jade | May 25, 2022

Saddle Fitting

How to measure a saddle seat size

In this article we will be looking at how to measure a saddle seat size, the do's and don'ts. This should help work out what your saddle seat size is even if your saddle's stamp has worn off. Here at The Saddle Bank, the worlds most trusted online saddle retailer, we want to help you make sure you get the correct saddle size when buying online.

If by the end of the article you are not still not sure the best way to measure your saddle's seat size , why not get in touch with our friendly customer support team via phone 01733 301 488 or email info@thesaddlebank.com. Our lovely team are always happy to help as much as they can and provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for you and your horse.

First things first, check the saddle stamp

Here at The Saddle Bank we regularly get asked to confirm a saddle's seat size. Or that a saddle has arrived and isn't the correct size, even though it is stamped as a certain size.

Firstly, you need to check your saddles stamp or serial number. This is what the manufacturer is indicating the saddle seat size is. Every manufacturer uses different trees made from different materials. Within one manufacturer they also have different tree types which can all 'measure up' differently. Therefore the first step should always be to check the manufacturers sizing of the saddle. Some manufacturers stamp the seat size onto the saddle, whilst others will just stamp a serial number. If the seat size is not stamped on the saddle, you can contact the manufacturer to verify the details with them.

What is the right way to measure a saddle?

Many people believe that you should measure the saddle seat size in a diagonal line from the middle of the cantle to the pommel pin badge as shown in the image below. Some saddle fitters even do this, which can can cause confusion with customers as this is NOT an accurate way of measuring a saddle seat size. Your saddle fitter should know the brand, and know which brands 'come up larger' than others and advise you accordingly when you are buying to trying saddles. Your saddle fitter should also know to check the stamp and serial number to verify the seat size.

But measuring to the pin badge is correct right?

Measuring your saddle with a tape measure is misleading and incorrect due to the pin badges not being uniformly positioned within the same models. Let alone throughout the many different brands! These pin badges have nothing to do with the tree size and are simply a branding item which is fitted by the saddler by eye during the manufacturing process. Therefore, if you measure two identical models using this method it is likely that you will get a different measurement for both.

Lets look at some examples on measuring saddles

The saddle in the image below is stamped as a 17.5 inch. However, if we were to measure it from the cantle to the pin badge, it comes up as an 18 inch. However this is not an 18 inch saddle. If you tried this 17.5 inch saddle on your horse and found it was too long for the horses back, you would need to go down a size, or two (depending on the horse).

So is there correct way to measure my saddle's seat size?

Another way of measuring the saddle is from the centre of the cantle directly to the front of the saddle. When measuring this way you will often need to add an inch and this should bring out approximately the correct seat size measurement. However, that is dependent on if the saddle has 1 or 2 front trims as this will skew the measurement. Again, this is not an exact science and is just a guide. Each brand and model has different tree types. Therefore you cannot compare apples to pears!

Ultimately, the seat size doesn't matter in measurement terms. What matters is how the saddle is when it is on the horse's back. The saddle should not come past T18 or the 18th thoracic vertebrae as this can cause your horse pain and discomfort. Likewise, the saddle should be of a suitable size to distribute the rider's weight evenly. If the saddle is too small for the rider, their bum will be hanging out of the back of the saddle putting a lot of pressure down onto the horses back. If the saddle is too large for the rider, they will feel lost in the saddle through a lack of support.

Measuring your saddle seat size summary

Use the manufacturer stamped size as a guide, but accept that all brands are different and measure up differently. Ultimately it comes down to how long the saddle is on the horse's back. If the size you have bought is stamped a certain size and you still feel it is too large for your horse, this is not the manufacturer's fault nor the retailers. It is just a case that you may need to downsize in that brand or try and alternative brand/model that may work better for you and your horse.

If you are looking to sell your saddle we would love to assist you!

Simply click here to fill in our sell a saddle form and our quotes team will get back to you within 24 hours!

Looking for a new saddle and are based in the UK? Why not take advantage of our 5 day UK trial, watch our handy video below on how the trial works for you, and then click here to see our full range of new, used and ex demo saddles. With over 1200 saddles in stock we're sure to have the one for you!