In the first segment of this discussion, we talked about the importance of understanding the biomechanics of the rider in finding a saddle that is both correct as well as comfortable.

First, let us talk about seat comfort and balance.

 Ideally speaking, your seat bones should find a flat, secure and comfortable place in the deepest part of the saddle. The width and placement of those bones determine the comfort of the seat of the saddle – some riders need a narrow seat, some prefer a wider seat. The twist or waist of the saddle is slightly in front of your pubic bones. The angle and rise of the twist are also very significant in affecting the comfort of this very sensitive area!  Many riders automatically say that they must have a narrow twist, but that depends entirely on your pelvic structure. If you have widely set pubic bones, a narrow twist can feel like you are straddling a fence rail. Conversely, a narrow rider on a wide twisted saddle will often compensate by rolling back onto their buttocks and swinging their thigh forward.

 The choice of deep seat versus flat seat is a very individual preference. Some riders like the freedom to move around more in their saddles and prefer a shallower seat that does not have a defined spot that the rider must sit in. Some riders think a deep seat is more secure and perhaps safer, but in reality the security must start with correct balance of the seat. A rider who is not open in the hip joint and who lacks some flexibility can find a deep seated saddle quite uncomfortable.

 The reason saddles can feel great in the tack shop and not so great on your horse is usually about front to rear balance. I like to think that there is a “range of correctness” that we can use in making a saddle fit comfortably. Let’s assume that we are dealing with a dressage saddle that fits the horse, and appears to be the correct size and shape for the rider, but the rider feels like they are sitting a smidge forward on the twist of the saddle, rather than the seat, it may be quite appropriate to lift the front of the saddle by ¼” to see if that allows the rider to find the “sweet spot”.

 Stirrup bar placement is another factor in determining your balance point. Many dressage saddles have a more setback stirrup bar. The real key is to make sure that the bar is in the correct relationship to the deepest part of the seat of the saddle, as well as taking into consideration the length of the rider’s thigh. If the bar is too far back for your conformation, you will feel like you are on a diving board!

 One of the fitting challenges that we are encountering involves finding a good saddle for the smaller, petite rider on a very wide horse. No matter how you slice it, a flat, wide horse requires a flat, wide tree. The only way that you can truly put a narrow twist on a wide tree is to build the saddle up very tall so you can create a shape like the letter “A”. Some companies trim and narrow out their trees in the twist area, but it does reduce the structural strength of the tree. We have found that riding with a slightly shorter stirrup can allow the rider’s thighs to find a more comfortable spot on the saddle without making them feel like they are straddling a picnic table.

 Lastly, the angle of the flaps and the position of the knee / thigh blocks are very significant. A rider with very long thigh, tight hamstrings or not much hip flexibility, may need a more forward flap and a less restrictive block. A tall, slim rider with a very open hip joint can use that straight flap and big block to his or her advantage, but can be agony to a rider who doesn’t have the suppleness and body structure to accommodate it.

 Take the time to do your homework. No matter how you measure or research, there is only one way to find out if a saddle will work for you and that is to “Try it”! You may groan at paying shipping charges to send saddles back and forth, but in the long run it is worth it to find the correct saddle!

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