Horse Saddles Selection Guide and Buying Review

A saddle is one of the most important things you can buy you and your horse. There are a number of reasons why you should buy a saddle instead of riding bareback, but oddly enough, most riders aren’t really sure what those reasons are. For one thing, saddles are much more comfortable for riding since horses have bony backs that can be awkward to ride on. Also, if you are a beginner, the stirrups and pommel help you with your balance as you learn to ride the animal. If you are riding Western style, the saddle is similar to another hand because the saddle horn can even help you hold the rope.

If you want to measure your horse to make sure that the right saddle fits him, you will need to get a rough estimate of the size of his back. You will also need to measure the inside width of the saddle that you are thinking about putting on the back of the horse. If the widths are similar to one another, you will probably have a great fit. If they aren’t, you might slide around while on top of your horse. If you can’t find someone to help you, the rule of thumb is that if you can fit three fingers under the front of the saddle between the horse’s shoulders and the pommel, you are fine. If you can fit your whole hand, that’s a problem.

Also, make sure that the saddle is not too tight on the animal. If it is, the horse might have trouble moving, walking and running. You need to be sure that the saddle isn’t too narrow or too wide for that reason. If you cannot fasten the cinch, the saddle might be too small. The cinch is the strap that passes under the horse’s belly and is attached to the saddle. Sometimes, though, if the cinch doesn’t fit, it’s only because the cinch is too short and you can buy a longer cinch belt.

The saddle is the most expensive piece of tack you will have to buy. They also have the largest selection, so it can seem like a daunting task to pick the right one. However, every saddle is broken into two main classifications, the English and the Western style, just like the bridle and bit. There is also something called an endurance saddle, which is a blend of the two styles.

English style riders have three basic styles to choose from. These saddles include the dressage saddle, the hunt seat saddle or the show saddle. Most riders will use the hunt seat saddle style because these saddles are quite flexible for a variety of situations and can be used for jumping, beginning dressage, and riding. You will probably not be able to compete in anything but a dressage saddle for dressage events. The dressage saddle is very similar to the hunt seat , but are slightly different in design. Show saddles, on the other hand, are very different than these two styles. They have no knee roll and they have a small cantle or rise in the rear.

Western saddles are much more ordinary. They only have one type of saddle. However, to compensate for the single choice, Western saddles have a great variety of designs. Some are plain and ordinary while others have very ornate and lovely designs. Don’t be surprised if you see them in shows or parades covered with jewels! The only difference between the English and Western saddles are mainly the horn, how deep the seat is and the fact that the stirrups are longer on the Western saddle.

No matter which saddle you choose, you will need to keep it clean and in good shape so it can last on your horse for years to come.

More Articles on Horse Riding Supplies Guide and Review: