Hundred Oaks, Inc.

Measuring the rider for a sidesaddle is very different from measuring for an astride saddle.

To confuse the issue, the system used in Europe and the UK for measuring seat length is not the same as that used in the US.   Our diversity of saddles and styles necessitated the use of a system of measuring the seat of the rider with the  corresponding surface area on the saddle.

 To measure the seat of the rider -

Sit on hard hard backed chair, with feet flat on the floor, and your back touching the chairback.     Measure from the chairback to the back of the bend at the knee.    This gives you the combined length of seat and thighbone, which equals the surface space the rider will utilize on the saddle.    If the rider is heavier than average, it's a good idea to measure across the hips while seated.      See the photos below for the corresponding measurements on the saddle.

To measure the saddle -

Measure down the center of the seat, from a point in line with the FRONT EDGE of the upright horn, back to the cantle.      Older saddles generally are between 17 - 20".   More modern saddles come in sizes as long as 24 inches, with 21" considered the Medium size.

We're happy to answer your fitting questions.

PLEASE NOTE that it's the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that the correct size is ordered.  Custom built sidesaddles cannot be returned.

If you do not feel comfortable with the directions at right and below, you can also purchase an Equimeasure Kit (www.equimeasure.com) and shape it to your horse's back.   We will check it against our stock and will make recommendations.    We will also return the kit to you, at your expense.

If you decide on this method, please mark the area where the girth will fall on the mold.    This will help us determine the correct saddle for you.

Looking for help and advice on riding sidesaddle?    The Sidesaddle Legacy is a how-to book that covers every aspect of riding aside.    $27 includes postage

1.  Fitting the Horse -

 We purposely picked a horse with very low withers for this shot.    If your horse has higher withers you won't have a problem finding the saddle pocket - the hollow spot just behind the withers, and almost directly above the area where the girth will rest.  On horses like this one you may have to manually feel for the pocket.   One other trick is to put an English style saddle on the horse, ride it a bit, then mark the spot where the front of the saddle rests when you're finished riding.    Almost all saddles will "migrate" to the saddle pocket during use.  

Note that the saddle pocket lies just over the area where the girth will fall.

It's vitally important that the tracing be done on the correct area of the back - or any saddles sent to you will not fit!

If you're unsure about locating the saddle pocket please contact a horse professional to assist you.

Once you've located the saddle pocket, use any type of wire - coat hangers, baling wire, very stiff electrical wire - whatever you can shape to your horses' back and shoulder.     

Be sure to extend it about 20" down the shoulder, because Hunt Style sidesaddles have a point that extends that far.    If you send us a tracing that doesn't show the shoulder, and you want an English sidesaddle, we won't be able to tell if the point will dig into your horse - a situation you DO NOT WANT!!

Try to get the shape of the wire as close as possible to the shape of the horse, then trace it onto paper.    You should have a shape something like what's shown in the upper right hand corner of the photo.    WE NEED THE ORIGINAL TRACING - not a reduced copy!    When we receive it, we'll hold it up to the saddles in the shop to try to find the best fit.

Mail to:   Hundred Oaks, Inc, P O Box 886, Graham, NC  27253

We also offer fitting trees (bare trees with rigging & cinch) that can be ridden  if you want to try out the feel of a Steele sidesaddle.    Customer pays shipping both ways.      You need to specify seat size and tree width before requesting a fitting tree.   Ride before you buy

Still have questions?    Email us at HundredOaksInc@aol.com

Some comments on saddle gullet width -

It's probable that the average horse owner doesn't know much about gullet widths.   Recent years have seen a lot of articles and clinics in saddle fitting, but in sidesaddle fitting gullet width is extremely important.      The horse shown above took a 7" gullet width, yet she only stood 15 hands!

In a time when the average English gullet width is 5" and the average western gullet width is 6", you can see that this would make a big difference in the comfort of the horse.

 Doing a tracing as suggested above will give us a very good idea of the gullet width you need. 

Images on this page are from "The Sidesaddle Legacy" and are reprinted with permission from the authors.   Drawings by Alexandra John Petrie.

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"Custom Fit"

 A word about custom fitting:    Steele ceased doing custom fitting in the early 1980s.    In fact, the average saddle tree maker no longer does custom fitting - but you will see sites that advertise that they can custom fit your saddle.   

 We'd like to make a distinction here between custom fitting - in which the tree is manufactured specifically for your horse, and TREE MODIFICATION which  many competent saddlers (including ours) can do. 

MODIFYING a tree can mean either grinding out areas to get a looser fit, or building up areas that are too wide.  Pete Harry has been doing this for years, and in fact he's been able to fit many animals that could otherwise not carry a sidesaddle - including a mutton-withered mule!

Be aware of your terminology.  There's a big difference between custom fit and modified fit. 

updated 5/19/2010