English saddle designs are based on physics.  Where the stirrup bar is in relation to the deepest part of the saddle will influence where your leg hangs below it.  The farther forward the stirrup bar the more in front of you your leg will be.

In contrast, dressage saddles have the stirrup bars directly under your seat.  This allows your leg to be open at the hip, almost standing while riding.  Dressage riders sit far more upright than any other English rider and need to have as much leg as possible against their horses. The flap of the dressage saddle is straight down from the stirrup bar. This style accommodates a longer stirrup length and a straighter leg.  Deep seats, round and high cantles, as well as long flaps, characterize dressage saddles.

Some Dressage saddles have a very deep seat.  The knee rolls keep your legs in place and many have thigh blocks as well.  English dressage saddles have long billet straps so that the buckles of the girth are not under the rider’s legs. Saddles are measures from the button on the front of the saddle to the center of the cantle. The measurements are in inches.  Children’s saddles are from 12” – 16”.  Adult saddles are from 16” – 19” every half inch.  A correctly fitting saddle will leave you room behind your bottom measuring about the width of your hand.  There should be room in front of your crotch to allow you to comfortably post with out hitting the pommel of the saddle.