Types of English Saddles
sketch of saddles:		**
Saddle Style	DRESSAGE	MULTI-PURPOSE DRESSAGE (VSD)	MULTI-PURPOSE JUMPING (VSS)	CLOSE CONTACT
General features of saddle style	Deep seat	Semi-deep seat	Semi-deep seat	Flat seat
	high, round cantle	Semi-high round cantle	Semi-high round cantle	Low, square cantle
	set-back stirrup bars (allows legs to hang straight down)	normal stirrup bars (knees must be bent somewhat)	normal stirrup bars	normal or slightly forward stirrup bars
	long straight flap to allow staighter leg position	flap slightly forward to allow low jumping position (back of flap may be straighter than pictured)	flap angled more forward to allow shorter stirrups	flap angled forward to allow jumping position
	may have knee rolls, thigh and calf blocks	padded knee insert on flap	padded knee insrt on flap	thin, "pencil" knee roll at most
	long, extended girth billets	standard girth billets	standard girth billets	standard girth billets
	gussetted panels	Gussetted panels	gussetted panels	very flat panels
Type of Riding Saddle is Designed for:	Dressage	pleasure riding	pleasure riding	show jumping
		schooling on the flat	cross-country galloping	hunt seat equitation
		endurance/trail riding	Jumping
		jumps three feet and under	hunting
			endurance/trail riding
Also could be used for:	pleasure	Dressage	very limited dressage use	hunting
	schooling on the flat			cross-country galloping & jumping
				(generally does not have enough padding for longer trail rides or endurance)

Thanks to Verlane Desgrange for permission to use this table.

**To measure the seat size of a saddle, measure from the pommel button (either side) to the middle of the cantle, as shown by the red line. Seat sizes for all-purpose and close contact saddles generally run like this: 15" child, 16 to 16 1/2" child to small adult, 17 to 17 1/2" regular or larger adult, 18 through 19" large adult. Much has to do with leg length and (ahem) butt size. The seat size used for close contact or all purpose generally has to be increased one inch or so in dresssage saddles, due to the depth of their seats.

One also has to know the width of the tree (narrow, regular, wide, extra-wide) suitable for the horse, and a cut-back pommel will help with fit on high withered horses. Another thing to look for is the stuffing used for the panels of the saddle. If foam rubber is used, the saddle will build up heat and in longer rides, may be quite uncomfortable for the horse. Wool flocking is much better, and almost always used in better saddles. Also, as your horse's back changes shape (from not fit to fit or vice versa) you may have to have the saddle restuffed so it fits him (and I don't know if this can be done with foam rubber). This can generally be done for anywhere from $30 to $65 depending on where you are and how much rearranging needs to be done. The person doing it should examine the saddle on your horse before undertaking the task.