Winning Ways - Other Thoughts on Saddle Fitting
Learn what type of saddle feels good to you personally. The size, shape and proportions of your own body have an effect on which type of saddle is better for you. For example, people whose legs are longer in proportion to the rest of their body have a higher center of gravity and can ride a wider seated saddle and still stay balanced and with the horse. People whose legs are short in proportion to their body have a lower center of gravity. If a person who is built like that rides a wide seated saddle, they lose the balance ability of their legs because they are spread too far at the top and are not long enough to reach back in and grip the saddle.
Since they can’t get their legs back into the horse, the shorter legged rider on this type of saddle tends to ride straight-legged, with little give at the knees. A seat that is too long also seems to have the effect of causing shorter-legged persons to brace against the back of the saddle and ride straight-legged, with little or no bend at the knee. Long legged persons riding too short a seat can sometimes get their legs behind them, so that is it difficult for them to get down securely in the saddle for turns around the barrels.
