Is it a good fit?
Which saddle is right for me? Which saddle is right for my horse? Do I need an 18" seat, or is a 17.5" sufficient? What is my horse's width? Can I measure the width myself? Which retailer is closest to me? How does the retailer determine width and seat size?
What costs will I incur at the retailer?
These questions and many more are probably running through your head right now.
You are not alone with these questions!
Below you will find information to help you sort through your thoughts.
What do I actually want?
Before buying a new saddle, think about what your requirements are and what your plans are for the future.
Perhaps you started out as a forest and meadow rider, but now you have discovered your horse's talent for jumping and want to encourage it.
Of course, you can do small jumps with your old VS or trail saddle, but if you want to jump higher, you should use a jumping saddle.
Are you more at home in the woods and fields than in the dressage arena, for example? Then a GP saddle is definitely the right choice for you.
However, if you ride often and for long periods in the countryside (more than 2-3 hours at a time), a trekking saddle (1, 2) is recommended.
Do you go out into the countryside occasionally, but prefer the indoor arena and dressage arena? Then the question is: dressage or jumping? If you answered yes to both, then we are back to the GP saddle.
Do you have a trotting horse? A gaited horse? - Then a pleasure saddle is recommended, although here too there is a tendency towards dressage saddles (1, 2, 3) since many years and occasionally a trail riding saddle (1, 2).
Your saddler will be happy to help you find the right type of saddle!
What does my horse want/need?
Your horse also has requirements when it comes to saddles.
If you asked it, it would probably invite you to go grazing together, followed by a good grooming.
But what your horse wants, apart from well-trained swing muscles, is a comfortable saddle.
If your horse is very powerful, it may feel uncomfortable with the forward ‘ears’ of jumping and eventing saddles.
It may also be that your horse doesn't care at all because it is quite insensitive.
The shorter the horse's back, the shorter the saddle must be. At Massimo, we recommend our models with french panels for this purpose.
To compensate for the shortness, the panels are designed to be extra wide.
For all models, we pay attention to short gullets and a wide spinal canal.
How to determine the width?
If the dealer cannot come to you and your horse, you can measure your horse yourself. However, expert advice should always be your first choice!
Even a measurement point that is shifted by just one centimetre can result in a completely different widths.
To measure your horse, you will need:
- Someone to hold your horse
- A flexible curve ruler (available from retailers or art and office supply stores) or flexible wire.
- A transparent A4 folder
- A foil pen
- Download our measurement sheet.
- Print out the measurement sheet in actual size. Use the check box to be sure.
Make sure your horse is standing on a straight, level surface as follows and pay attention to:
- Head raised and straight
- Legs even and closed (no resting).
- Now place your hand in the girth position (behind the ‘armpit’) and mentally pull it upwards in a straight line.
- Place the curved ruler four fingers to the right of this point over the withers/back.
- Check again with your hand that the curved ruler is in the correct position.
- It is not always easy to find the shoulder on large horses. Lifting the front leg can help with these ‘heavyweights’ as the movement makes the muscles and bones more visible.
- Press the curve ruler/wire firmly against the horse. Make sure that there are no ‘gaps’ between the horse and the ruler, as these could distort the result.Please note your name, saddle type/model, seat size and colour on the sheet so that you have all the information ready for the dealer.If you are unsure, you can document your measurements with photos and send them to us together with the measurements.
- Now place the printout of the withers measurement under the foil and move it until your sheet rests on a size (even widths) or between sizes (odd widths).
- Carefully remove the curve ruler/wire from the horse, place it on the transparent sleeve you brought with you and trace the inner curve of the impression.
What seat size do I need?
How do you determine your seat size? - A question we are often asked.
Our answer: When you feel comfortable, you have found your seat size.
For some, feeling comfortable means being supported! For others, it means space and freedom!
The best way to determine your seat size is therefore to t e s t it.
Ask your dealer to place two or three different seat sizes on a saddle block. Sit down in a relaxed position. Lean forward and backward a few times to find out which seat size is comfortable for you.
Measuring seat sizes using your thigh:
- Sit upright on a chair.
- Form a 90° angle with your upper and lower leg.
- Use a ruler/folding rule to measure the distance from your knee to the end of the seat in a straight line.
Measuring seat sizes through the thigh: | |||||||
length | 40 cm | 43 cm | 46 cm | 50 cm | 54 cm | 58 cm | 62 cm |
seat size | 15.0" | 15.5" | 16.0" | 16.5 | 17.0" | 17.5" | 18.0" |
Determination by clothing size: | ||||
16.0" / 16.5" | 17.0" / 17.5" | 18.0" / 18.5" | 19.0" / 20.0" | |
Ladies | 34-36 | 38-40 | 42-44 | 46-50 |
Gentlemen | 44-46 | 48-50 | 52-54 | 56-60 |
For children and petite teenagers/pony riders, we recommend saddles with seat sizes ranging from 15.0" to 17.0", as these saddles are ideal for the rider's bottom and the short horse's back. Please note, however, that the measurements given here are guidelines and cannot guarantee the selection of the correct seat size. | ||||
Is Massimo suitable for my horse?
Then send us by Email two photos of your horse, or use our contact form.
Photo requirements:
1. Photo: side view (horse standing with legs close together and looking straight ahead)
2. Photo taken over the croup. The mane should be tied back in a small braid if it covers the shoulder.
Does my existing Massimo saddle still fit?
Would you like to know if your Massimo fits? Below, you have the opportunity to let us take a look at it.
Please note, however, that a local saddler is the best option. Saddlers not only see, they feel, and that is essential when it comes to saddles.
Our visual assessment identifies any major problems and gives you an overview.
Send us five photos of your horse and yourself via our contact form or by email and answer the questions below.
Photo requirements:
1. Photo: Side view without saddle (horse standing with its legs close together and looking straight ahead).
2. Photo: Photo taken without saddle over the croup. The mane should be tied back in a small braid if it covers the shoulder.
3. Photo: Side view with saddle firmly girth-fastened (horse standing closed and looking straight ahead).
4. Photo: Side view of you on your horse.
5. Photo: Fingers fitting between the front pommel and withers (when you are sitting on it).
Questions:
1. What is the saddle number? (left sweat flap)
2. Are you the original owner?
3. What is your clothing size?
4. How tall are you?
5. Compared to your upper body, are your legs longer, shorter or about the same length as your upper body?
6. Does a hand's width fit between your buttocks and the rear pommel? Or is it several fingers?
7. How many fingers fit between the front pommel and the saddle when you are firmly strapped in?
8. How many fingers fit between the front pommel and the saddle when you are
9. How many fingers fit one on top of the other below the cantle in the cushion channel?
10. How old is your horse?
11. Has it had a foal?
12. Has it had any illnesses?
If you provide your mobile number in addition to your email address, we will be happy to call you back for a consultation.
Now YOU say: ‘Wow – that's a lot!’ Then just click on the link and you can download this page as a PDF file.