Choosing the right saddle to suit you and your horse

By U Learn It | March 5, 2009

After the horse itself, the most expensive equipment you’ll buy are horse saddles. There are many styles of saddles, but you should choose the one that you’re comfortable with, fits the horse properly and suits the kind of riding you will do. It is not necessary to have a different saddle for every activity you and your horse participates in, so select the activity you do with the most regularity and choose the saddle type which suits it best.

There are three main types of saddles for serious riders: English, Western, and Australian. Within these types, there are other variations.

English saddles are used by Olympians in equestrian events, designed to give the horse freedom of movement. This saddle is known to be the most comfortable for both the rider and the horse. The Hunt Seat saddle and Cutback saddle are example of this type. Hunt seat saddles are med for jumping while Cutback saddles allows greater movement of the front legs and shoulders.

Western saddles are known as the cowboy saddle, designed to keep a rider secure on an uneven ground. This saddle provides riders the most security, and is often put on working horses. The Ranch saddle is known as the most versatile of this type.

Australian saddles are made for the rider’s comfort, usually used by people who are confident of their riding abilities. They are originally English saddles, of which the most dramatic change was having the addition of poleys, or kneepads in front of the saddle.

Whatever the type of saddle you prefer to use, it is crucial to choose the one that fits your horse properly. Ill-fitting saddles can result to both health and training problems, and can even make your horse behave badly. The breed, overall size and unique physical features must be considered in choosing the saddle The main feature of the saddle which dictates whether it will fit your horse or not, is the width of the gullet. A saddle that is too wide will press down on the withers, while a narrow gullet will pinch. It should comfortably clear a horse’s withers, allow for free movement of the shoulders, be the proper length and shape for its back, and be well balanced to provide good weight distribution.

Test as many saddles as you can. Choose a saddle that feels comfortable to you and allows the proper riding position. Comfort can be determined by size and angle of the seat, stirrup position, cantle height, fork height and angle, and weight of the saddle. If its too small it can make you bump against the pommel at every stride, while too large can make it difficult for you to maintain your position.

Determine your budget. A new saddle can be custom-made for you to fit your horse with the maximum comfort possible, but can fetch a hefty price. Used saddles can be much cheaper. Spend as much as you can and, if possible, choose a quality product rather than a cheap one. Saddles are crucial to a safe and enjoyable riding, so never settle for an inferior product.

Other accessories to look into are horse riding jodhpurs , horse riding body protectors and equestrian cortaflex .