Description
How to measure the seat on your Australian saddle
15″ Western Saddle is equivalent to a 17″ Australian Saddle
English Western Australian
15″ 13″ 15″
16″ 14″ 16″
17″ 15″ 17″
18″ 16″ 18″
19″ 17″ 19″
Measure your saddle from the front of the gullet, to the back of the seat to get the proper seat measurement, as shown at left. If you normally ride in a 17″ english saddle, then you need a 17″ Australian saddle. If you normally ride in a 15″ western saddle, then you ride in an Australian seat two inches larger, usually a 17″ seat. Some riders like more room in their seat, or between their thigh and the saddle poleys, and will choose one size larger than normal. Having a larger seat size will allow you to post in your saddle if you tend to post or stand in your stirrups. Some riders like the poleys right against their thigh, and will choose a snug fit. The poleys will usually prevent a rider from posting to full extension if the seat is fitted properly. This is personal preference; a close fit will help hold you in the saddle, a looser fit will allow you to stand in your stirrups or post.