Saddle Sizing for Riders
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In this video, Steve Edwards of Queen Valley Mule Ranch explains how to fit a saddle to the rider, avoiding knee and back problems in the future
Ride heels down and toes up to keep you and the mule balanced. When riding western style, keep your knees slightly bent, throw your shoulders back, chest out, and ride 60% on your legs with 40% on your seat. If you sit in the seat any more than that you will have seat problems.
On Steve’s saddles, the fenders and stirrups will move back and forth to adjust for the terrain and pace of the mule. He designed this saddle to ride all terrain comfortably.
When you first test a saddle, don’t put your feet in the stirrups! That will put you off balance in the saddle making it seem uncomfortable. You need to see between one and two fingers between your thigh and the pummel. So sit naturally in the saddle without the stirrups when getting fitted for a saddle and look for finger width. It is your thigh size, not your seat, that determines the best saddle fit for you.
Steve is demonstrating with a 16” saddle. Steve weighs about 200 lbs and is 5’6”. He has been riding a 16” saddle most of his life.
“All my saddles are exactly the same. Saddle comfort is about how YOU sit in the saddle, not the way the saddle is made.”
