The Petite Shopper

Advice and Information for Petite Women

I am petite, 5′3 and 100 pounds. What size saddle would I need? 15?

Kari asked:


English, sorry.

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13 Responses to “I am petite, 5′3 and 100 pounds. What size saddle would I need? 15?”

  1. Westernfilly Says:

    Kansieo.com

    For a western saddle, I would say a 15.

  2. friesianlover20 Says:

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    Western or English?

    I ride English, but I was wondering the same thing! lol.I have a 16 inch saddle and I am 14 about 5′3, 5′4 and I weigh about 105.:)

  3. ♥MaxX♥ Says:

    Kansieo.com

    i am the same height and weight my 15 is too small now though get something bigger if you are riding english.

  4. megz n Says:

    Create a video blog…instantly.

    i would say 15 inches would adequate for you! Just go out and try different brands and sizes because saddles are like jeans. You cant find the perfect one until you go out and try them.

    Don’t forget. Different brands have different size standards. Just because the griffith says its a 15 doesn’t necessarily mean that a 15 billy cook will be the same size.

    Good luck and have fun!

  5. Kitty Says:

    Caffeinated Content

    For english, I would say atleast a 16. I’m 5 feet tall and my saddle is a 16.5. I’d go to a tack shop and try some saddles of different sizes.

    I’m not sure for Western. (:

  6. Katie B Says:

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    Im 5′4 and 90 lbs, and im in a 14 inch. will probley last me my whole life. it depends on the saddle, do you want english or western? and what type of events?

  7. tuckermyhorse Says:

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    I would say a 15 would be about right. Remember, seat size depends on your size, not your age.
    Alot of people seem to think it’s an age thing, so don’t get mislead by those people.
    I would suggest going to your local tack shop and sit yourself in a few saddles and get advice from them. The last thing you want is a saddle that is too big, that you’ll be slopping about in!!!
    Good luck!

  8. theFoxCrit Says:

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    I would go with a 16

  9. paintgirl_h Says:

    Create a video blog…instantly.

    I would suspect you would be better with a 16 English saddle than a 15. But there are too many variances to make this a set number. I currently own two English saddles, both are 17. (I am 5′3 and 115 pounds)
    The one saddle is a Stuben Siegfried All-Purpose. It has a fairly flat seat, and while it is the best saddle I’ve ever owned, it technically is slightly too large for me. But I love it and feel safe and comfortable. Someone quite a bit larger than me could also fit in this saddle well.
    The second saddle is a Lancer All-Purpose saddle, also a 17. This saddle has a much deeper seat. Instead of sitting on a fairly flat seat, with the Lancer you sit in a real trough. My daughter used this saddle as a teenager, she loved it because she didn’t slip around and felt safe. I can ride in the saddle, but it feels slightly too small for me. A person more than a few pounds heavier than me probably wouldn’t be comfortable in it.
    So you can see that simply stating a number isn’t enough. You need to sit in it and see where the low point is, where your legs naturally fall, how the length of the flap suits you, how you like the position of the leg rolls, etc.
    Also, if you are a youth rider I would suggest you buy with the idea that you will have a small amount of growth still ahead of you. If you buy on the smaller side you likely will need another saddle before long. If you’re an adult, then you can buy exactly what suits you now!
    For a Western saddle I fit well in a 15 or 15 1/2. So you can see why you’ve got this big variance in answers as Western saddles fit quite a bit different than English.
    Happy saddle shopping.

  10. LiveToRide.RideToLive. Says:

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    You really need to try some saddles as you may have a longer/shorter leg than someone else who’s also 5′3 and 100 pounds. Also, it depends on what type of saddle you need (all purpose, jumping, dressage) as you will need a bigger sized seat in a saddle with a deeper seat (and then shorter flaps) than a saddle with a flat seat. You’d probably be able to ride in a 16 - 17 as a 15 english saddle is tiny!

    Hope this helps!

  11. Renee Says:

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    I ride in a 16.5inch and I am 5′3 and around 100 pounds. Anything from 15.5 inch to 17 inch is good, but it comes down to personal preference. I like a little bit more room in my saddle, so 16.5inch is really good, but if you like your saddle a little smaller I’d go for a 15.5inch. Hope this helps

  12. heather Says:

    Create a video blog…instantly.

    If you are looking for a western saddle, here is a great chart:

    Here is a chart for sizing an english saddle:

    I am about the same size as you and I currently ride in a 16 close contact Crosby. I have had it for about 12 years. It is comfortable for me because I am used to it, but when I went to try out a few new saddles, I was most comfortable in a 17 in close contact and a 17.5 in dressage. I ride a 15 in western saddles.

  13. Driver Says:

    Petite Sizes

    I’m the same size as you and ride in a 16 saddle. I can also fit in my son’s 15 inch saddle, but it feels kind of small. It also has a very deep seat so that might be part of the problem. If you are a teenager, you should go for the 16 or even 16.5 so you have a little room for growing, without it being too big now. Also, flap length will come into play - most 15 inch saddles are child’s saddles and have short flaps. In a 16 inch, you move into an adult size and get a longer flap to match your legs better. Go to a tack store and sit in several saddles to get an idea of what fits you best.