Saddle Fit
How to Measure Saddle Seat Size (Western & English Size Chart)
A seat that is too small pushes you against the cantle; too big and you slide around. Here is how to measure a saddle seat correctly and pick your size.
By the Indus Saddlery team · · 7 min read
Seat size is the first number anyone asks about when you shop for a saddle, and it is the one riders most often get wrong. The right seat lets you sit in the deepest part of the saddle with a little room in front and behind; the wrong one pushes you onto the cantle or lets you slide forward on every downhill. The good news: measuring takes a tape measure and two minutes, and the charts below will get you close before you ever sit in the saddle.
Why western and English seats are measured differently
Western and English saddles are built on different trees and measured from different reference points, so the same rider usually needs a western seat about 1.5 to 2 inches smaller than their English seat. A rider in a 17" English saddle, for example, is typically comfortable in a 15" or 15.5" western saddle. If you are new to the two styles, our guide to western vs English saddles explains the differences in design and use.
How to measure a western saddle seat
- Set the saddle on a stand or level surface so it sits the way it would on a horse.
- Find the back of the swell (the fork), just below the horn where the seat begins. Do not measure from the horn itself.
- Run a flexible tape measure in a straight line from the back of the swell to the top center of the cantle binding.
- Read the measurement to the nearest half inch. That number is the seat size.
How to measure an English saddle seat
- Locate the saddle nail (the small button) on either side of the pommel.
- Measure in a straight line from the saddle nail to the center of the cantle.
- Round to the nearest half inch. English seats typically run from 15" to 18.5".
Saddle seat size chart
Use your thigh length (seated, measured from the back of your buttock to the front of your knee) as the starting point, then adjust for build and discipline.
| Thigh length | English seat | Western seat |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 16" | 15" – 16" | 13" – 14" |
| 16" – 18" | 16.5" – 17" | 14.5" – 15" |
| 18" – 20" | 17" – 17.5" | 15" – 16" |
| 20" – 22" | 17.5" – 18" | 16" – 16.5" |
| 22" and over | 18" – 18.5" | 16.5" – 17" |
Treat the chart as a starting point, not a rule. Riders with a fuller seat, a longer thigh, or a preference for a roomier feel should move up half an inch to an inch.
How your discipline changes the size you need
- Trail and pleasure riding: a little extra room is welcome on long days. Many trail riders go up half an inch for comfort. See our trail saddle buying guide.
- Barrel racing: barrel saddles are built with deep seats and high cantles to keep you centered, so most riders choose a snugger fit, often 13" to 15". Read the barrel racing saddle guide.
- Jumping: a close contact saddle with a flatter seat needs space to get out of the saddle over fences, so jumpers often size up slightly.
- Dressage: a deep seat and long flap can make a dressage saddle feel smaller than an all-purpose saddle with the same number.
How to check the fit once you are in the saddle
- You should be able to fit roughly a hand's width (about four fingers) between the front of your body and the swell or pommel.
- Your seat should sit in the deepest part of the saddle, not pressed against the cantle.
- In a western saddle, you should have about two fingers of room between the back of your seat and the cantle.
- Your leg should hang naturally without your knee pushing past the front of the flap or fender.
Seat size is only half of fit. The saddle also has to fit your horse, which comes down to tree width, gullet and bar angle. Our saddle fit guide walks through that side.
Frequently asked questions
What size saddle do I need?
Most adults ride in a 16" to 17.5" English saddle or a 15" to 16" western saddle. Measure your thigh length, use the seat size chart as a starting point, and adjust half an inch up for a fuller build or long days on the trail.
Is a western saddle seat smaller than an English seat?
Yes. Western seats are measured differently and usually run 1.5 to 2 inches smaller than the English seat the same rider would use. A rider in a 17" English saddle typically fits a 15" to 15.5" western saddle.
Where do you measure a western saddle seat from?
Measure from the back of the swell, just below the horn, straight to the top center of the cantle binding.
Is it better to size up or down on a saddle?
If you are between sizes, size up. A seat that is slightly too big is more comfortable than one that pushes you against the cantle, and it gives you room to move.
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