Maryland Saddlery's Guide to Choosing and Fitting Saddles Issue 1 | Page 22

WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER RIDE A TOO SMALL SADDLE
I have had plus sized riders say to me “I know this saddle is too small for me. I plan to lose weight. But in the meantime, I
want my horse to be comfortable. I don’t mind being uncomfortable…I just want what is best for my horse.”
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don’t do this. Your poor horse is suffering.
This is what happens:
• Your weight is placed behind the working center. Indeed, sometimes your butt bulges over the back of the cantle.
• The pommel lifts as the cantle drops under your weight. This will usually force you into a “chair seat” making riding
difficult.
• Then, with each downbeat of the trot, your weight pushes the saddle forward slightly – perhaps .005” (the width of a
human hair). After only 400 downbeats the saddle will moves forward about 2”.
• Your weight bangs down on only a few square inches of surface area.
How many of us limit our ride to a few times around the arena? The ride will be painful to both you and your horse. Bucking
or other undesirable behavior may result.
Perfect fit for both horse and rider is essential, especially if you’re plus sized. If you really want what is best for your horse,
you will ride in a saddle that fits both of you and ride as well as you can. Regular lessons are a must.

iiiii
poor rider fit

correct rider fit