In North America, we tend to think about equestrian styles and ridership conventions as being either English or Western, but the reality of the equestrian world is that we are leaving out dozens of other disciplines and styles. Western ridership is often associated with the Wild West period of American history, but it is actually a mixture of customs largely based on Andalusian horsemanship with some Native American and French practices. One aspect that strongly differentiates English and Western equestrian disciplines is the saddle; if you leave it up to young riders to decide which style they prefer, they will likely go with Western for various reasons, and this has a lot to do with comfort. There is a good chance you have heard horseback riders mention that Western saddles are designed to be very comfortable, and they are absolutely right. The only saddle that would beat the Western style in terms of comfort would be the ceremonial tufted Ottoman saddle, which is not designed for trail riding and would actually be very uncomfortable at galloping speeds. When you take the seat of a Western saddle, you should be able to feel comfortable because it is based on the Andalusian style of riding through rugged terrains several times a day. A Western saddle seat is measured for your own fit and comfort; the measurements we will be discussing herein do not refer to the size of the horse, only the size of your own anatomy as a rider. Measurements of a Western Saddle Seat There are two ways you can determine is a Western saddle seat is the right size for you: Comparing your measurements to a seat or letting a saddle maker fit you for a seat to be fabricated. For the most part, having a saddle tailor made to your anatomy is highly ideal, but this is not a reason to rule out Western saddles listed in our catalog; all you have to do is math your measurements to the dimensions of available seats. Before we get into more detail with regard to ideal fit, let's take a look at the various measurements involved in a Western saddle: The main measurement is also known as the stated size of the saddle seat, which runs from the bottom of the horn down to the middle of the cantle at its highest point. This measurement typically runs between 12 and 17 inches; take it as your guide when looking at seats. The depth of the seat is related to the type of riding you will be getting into. The deeper seats are designed for longer trail riding while the lesser depths are for shorter races in which you will be riding the stirrups some more.The cantle slope is measured in degrees, and it can be gradual or steep according to your preference. The cantle dish can either be flat or curved with up to an inch of slope.The angle of the seat slopes down from the handhold to the cantle.The forks can either be wide or almost flush according to the brand and model of Western saddles. For the most part, saddle makers tend to include various measurements in the online descriptions of their products, but you will find that some of the most affordable and mainstream saddles only focus on the seat size, which is measured in half-inch increments. Typical Seat Sizes for Western Saddles There are five seat sizes that have pretty much become standard among saddle makers in recent years; these categories give you a general idea of how the seat will fit riders according to their body types. Youth seats are for smaller riders who can fit on surfaces measuring 12 or 13 inches.Seats for small adults will almost always measure 14 inches.Seats for adults tend to measure 15 inches and are the most popular.The Large-Adult size adds one full inch to the regular adult size.Extra-large seats will give you 17 inches of seating surface. As previously mentioned, half-inch increments are common when looking at saddle seat sizes, and they can make a difference when choosing between brands; for example, a barrel racing saddle seat for adults may add one increment to the size while a trail riding seat will add a full inch. In a barrel race event, the rider is expected to move a lot more than when going on a long trail ride. How the Western Saddle Seat Should Fit Let's say you will be choosing your very first Western saddle; the best way to get an idea about the general size would be to visit a local horse ranch or riding academy. Sit on a couple of saddles to get a feel for the surface of the seat. Do not forget to ask about the purpose of the saddle; most ranches and equestrian schools use trail riding saddles, but make sure you are not trying out racing saddles unless you intend to race. The Western saddle is larger and more comfortable than its English counterpart. When you sit, the clearance between yourself and the fork should be about four inches. In the rear, you will not want to feel the cantle unless you slide back to do so. It is always better to get a saddle seat that is one increment larger because you may go through anatomic changes after the purchase; all the same, you do not want to end up with a saddle seat that provides too much clearance because this could result in chafing. We have to mention back support when evaluating seat styles and sizes. When the clearance from the back of the rider to the cantle is larger than four inches, there will be more back support because the seat will have a chair-like design. Some riders will never push their horses beyond a trot because they have medical conditions that cause lower back discomfort, and these are the kind of riders who can benefit from a larger cantle. Types of Saddles Each regional equestrian discipline will have more than one type of saddle. Below you will find the most common types of Western saddles: Ranch: This type of saddle is the most traditional and functional. As the name suggests, this saddle is normally designed for riders who work in the agricultural and livestock industries; it is also the heaviest and most durable of Western saddles. Barrel Racing: Riders who participate in barrel racing events are expected to move around a lot, which is why the size of their seats tends to be larger. This saddle is not as heavy as the ranch type.Trail Riding: Also known as pleasure saddles, they are designed with comfort in mind. When looking at trail saddles, do not be surprised to see that many of them feature smaller seats. If you will be riding for long distances, a larger seat may provide too much clearance, which could devolve into chafing after a while.Pony: The only seat size available for this kind of Western saddle is 12 inches, which means that it is mostly for children who ride Shetland and Welsh animals. Keeping a pony saddle as a memento is something that many parents enjoy, particularly when their young riders start getting more serious about the equestrian lifestyle. Endurance: These saddles are designed to maximize the comfort of horses that are tasked with taking riders on long trips. As can be expected, endurance saddles are lightweight; they are reasonably durable, but you should not expect them to last forever. These saddles are recommended for expeditions that feature around 100 miles of trails in a single day. If you are riding shorter distances, trail saddles will be better and more comfortable. Come to Chick's Saddlery for all your Western saddle needs for any occasion.
