It’s one of the most persistent misconceptions in saddle fitting: “Tall rider? Then you must have an 18-inch saddle.” We run into it everywhere. In stables, in instructional videos, at clinics – and yes, even with saddle fitters. As if body height can be translated one-to-one into a seat size. While in practice we see time and again: this is not right. In fact, it frequently results in a saddle that actually fits the rider worse. But that reasoning is not correct.

Inch size is about seat, not leg length

The inch size of a saddle indicates the size of the seat. It should fit the construction of the rider’s seat. Whether someone is narrow or has more volume.

But with tall riders, it is often the upper leg that causes problems – not the hindquarters. And so a larger seat is not the logical solution at all. In fact, many riders with long thighs and a narrow seat actually slide in a saddle that is too large. They lose stability, become unbalanced or simply don’t feel anywhere “solid” in contact with the saddle.

The real problem?
There is no room for the upper leg.

Giving your leg space; without sitting bigger

Long upper legs are no exception; especially in the Netherlands. And yet many standard saddles are still based on one body shape. That means many riders make concessions: saddle too big, wrong in the way, lost balance. What these riders need is not a larger seat, but a saddle that is cleverly constructed. Consider:

• Sweat blades with more ’tilt’ for a natural thigh position
• curves positioned to provide support without blocking
• flap shapes that allow length without forcing the rider backward

With the right choices, you create freedom where it is needed, without having to sit in too big a seat.

At Empire, we work with different tilts of the sweat pad so that for the same inch size, we provide more thigh room and better seat support. The rider sits where he should, the leg lies where it should.