Tell me more! McClellan Saddle Seat Size

[PATex]

Did any original McClellan's (pre, during or post ACW) have a saddle shield of "14 Inch Seat"? Thanks.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. I can't imagine being assigned the task of butt measuring .

 

[captaindrew]

paging @Equestriangirl93 she may know the answer

 

[Tom Hughes]

I found a saddle shield from the Allegheny Arsenal that indicated a 3'' seat. A 14'' seat sounds kind of high. I'm not familiar with saddles, etc. so I'm interested to see what the responses are on this thread.

 

[EJ Zander]

Site with good explanation of sizing. Only came in 11, 11 1/2 and 12. Also known as 1,2 and 3.

Civil War McClellan Pommel Shields - Society of the Military Horse

Like so many details of American military horse equipment, these details can be traced to European influences – even to the small small brass decorative fittings. Pommel ornaments or ‘shields’ are a fixture of US military saddles going all the way back to the first Ringgold dragoons saddles...

www.militaryhorse.org

 

[Tom Hughes]

Site with good explanation of sizing. Only came in 11, 11 1/2 and 12. Also known as 1,2 and 3.

Civil War McClellan Pommel Shields - Society of the Military Horse

Like so many details of American military horse equipment, these details can be traced to European influences – even to the small small brass decorative fittings. Pommel ornaments or ‘shields’ are a fixture of US military saddles going all the way back to the first Ringgold dragoons saddles...

www.militaryhorse.org

Thanks!

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I have a genuine McClellan and they aren't meant for comfort for the rider. I've ridden in it a few times - I have two horses but they don't currently fit the saddle tree of the McClellan. They were made for a typically narrower horse than we see today.

Here's some info for modern day English saddle measuring:

Saddle Seat Sizes and Saddle Fitting for the Rider
After you've determined the type of saddle you need, consider these key points to determine appropriate saddle size and fit:

• Hip to knee length determines where your knee and leg fit in accordance to the angle and point of the flap. When you try out saddles, look to fit this part of your leg first. The rotation and size of the saddle flap should complement the angle of your leg. Your knee should hit at the top point of the flap with at least two fingers to spare.
• Saddle seat size affects your comfort level, ability to move and your effectiveness in your riding. Ignore the seat size measurement of the saddle, and work with what actually fits your body. Every manufacturer's saddle sizing will feel different between models of saddles. Most saddles require that you fit between three to four fingers (or a hand's width) behind your bottom and the tip of the cantle. If you feel confined in a deep seated saddle, then try the next seat size up.
• Flap length, as described previously, is less important than the way the flap shape complements the angle of your leg. As a very general guideline, the flap will fall only about a third of the way down your calf. The goal in determining flap length is to avoid having the edge of the saddle flap interfere with the top of your tall boot or half chap.
• Riding style, your own personal preference for any one factor of the saddle and your position as determined by your unique physical build is always important. For some riders, having two fingers behind their bottom and the cantle is sufficient as they prefer a snug seat. Others prefer a roomier feel in the seat.

Tip: The saddle seat size of an English saddle is measured in inches from either of the nail heads or brads on each side of the pommel to the middle of the cantle.

Twist width is usually a fairly personal choice, too, though the twist is an aspect of saddle design that is supposed to accommodate the horse's shape more than the rider's. The front of any saddle tree has a steep angle to accommodate the horse's withers, while the back of the tree has a flatter angle to accommodate a horse's back. The twist occurs where the bars of the tree "twist" to form the transition between the front and back of the tree. The twist is located behind the pommel and at the front of the actual seat, as illustrated in the next two photos.

 

[Equestriangirl93]

@PATex,

I think you already got your answer from @NH Civil War Gal

I'm not very familiar with exactly how a McClellan saddle should fit, so I'm glad that someone who owns that type of saddle could help you

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I'm dredging up a memory here, but I think Fitzhugh Lee or maybe Rooney Lee, was forced, by Robert E. Lee to ride for 10 miles, with his father, (I'm unclear on which one was son/nephew) at the Dragoon Trot, which is NOT posting. It certainly, made, ahem, an impression on him, all those years later while writing a memoir. I think Bobby Lee felt it took some of the starch out of the "young uns." What ever the point was he was making, he certainly got it across. Robert E. Lee had a different saddle other than a McClellan or what was considered a very early Federal Ranger type - he had a comfortable plantation type saddle. The average CSA or Federal Cavalry soldier did not. So a sitting trot at a fast pace for 10 miles was pretty punishing.

 

[Equestriangirl93]

I'm dredging up a memory here, but I think Fitzhugh Lee or maybe Rooney Lee, was forced, by Robert E. Lee to ride for 10 miles, with his father, (I'm unclear on which one was son/nephew) at the Dragoon Trot, which is NOT posting. It certainly, made, ahem, an impression on him, all those years later while writing a memoir. I think Bobby Lee felt it took some of the starch out of the "young uns." What ever the point was he was making, he certainly got it across. Robert E. Lee had a different saddle other than a McClellan or what was considered a very early Federal Ranger type - he had a comfortable plantation type saddle. The average CSA or Federal Cavalry soldier did not. So a sitting trot at a fast pace for 10 miles was pretty punishing.

I think you're referring to when General Lee let his son Rob ride Traveller on the march to Fredericksburg?

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

YES! That's it!

 

[Equestriangirl93]

It is said that Traveller did NOT like to walk, but rather a bouncy, high stepping buck-trot. Prior this march, poor Rob was used to being a foot soldier and occasionally riding a rather dull artillery horse, not a high spirited animal like Traveller. While he was very honored that his father allowed him to ride his favorite horse and proud to ride such a handsome steed, he wrote in his memoirs that he would have much rather walked the 30 miles to Fredericksburg; as he was SO exhausted and sore by the end of this ride!