Although I have broached this subject superficially in a past blog, I would like to address some key points in more detail, as they are important in determining the proper saddle fit especially for women – which is 85% of Schleese’s market – and makes us the only female saddle specialist in the world!

Our saddle fitters all have a comprehensive understanding of equine biomechanics and how saddles need to fit to prevent longterm back damage in the horse, but we also have a good understanding of how female anatomy impacts saddle fit. One of my top saddle fitters, Kristen Vlietstra, has been kind enough to discuss these points in this month’s video for your viewing and learning pleasure! This month we will go into the first three of five key points in some detail.

1. The width between your upper inner thighs affects the width of the twist you will need in your saddle. The twist is that part of the saddle where your upper inner thighs sit against it. Because of a phenomenon called “Qflexion” (whereby female thighs tend to angle outwards at the hip and back inwards at the knee), women will carry more weight on their upper inner thigh than a man. The leg is pushed forward, and the knee and toes are out at 45 degree angle when a woman sits on a male saddle that is too wide between her upper inner thighs. The position results in a leg that goes out and forward, and it is difficult to achieve the ‘shoulder-hips-heels’ straight line. This is different when you see a woman on a female saddle, where the toes point forward and there is more upper leg on the barrel or sides of the horse.

2. The ratio of the length of the upper leg to the length of the lower leg will determine the position and/or length of your stirrup bar. Most women have a longer upper leg than a lower leg. The analogy here is that the stirrup bar acts like the fulcrum and the stirrup leather is the pendulum. With a regular stirrup bar positioned normally, the female’s leg will usually end up being too far forward (“get your leg back!” – does this sound familiar?) because the leg will fall according to its centre of gravity. Therefore, for women an extended stirrup bar (or sometimes even an extra-extended stirrup bar!) allowing the stirrup leathers to be positioned further back will ensure that the leg hangs in the correct position. Most men have pretty equal leg lengths so that they do fine with the normal stirrup bar length and position.


3. Women’s hip bones are articulated onto the pelvis at the joint differently. Especially female adult amateur riders, who started riding later in life or who don’t ride regularly, are challenged to have their legs hang straight, because the articulation causes the legs to naturally angle out. Men’s legs hang straight naturally, but changing the angle of the flap and possibly also the position of the thigh roll can address this with a female saddle. If the flap is too straight, the knee comes too close to the front of the flap, and in motion the leg will actually go over the flap. Forcing this (“get your leg back!” – again!) can move the pelvis forward, resulting in back pain and discomfort. Proper flap positioning is another small point in accommodating the female anatomy in saddle design!

I’ll continue with the final two points in a future blog; these are some key points you can look at in your saddle right now. If you’re not comfortable – one of these may be the reason why.

Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CEE
www.schleese.com