Feb
8
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.
Choose a saddle that suits the activity you and your horse participates the most
There are three main types of saddles for serious riders: English, Western and Australian. There are other variations within these three main types
English saddles are used by Olympians in equestrian events, designed to give the horse freedom of movement. This saddle is most known to give both rider and horse the most comfort 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 type of saddle is often put on working horses, as it provides the most security for its riders 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.
The saddle’s fit on the horse is crucial, whatever the type of saddle you choose 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. Too wide, and the saddle will press down on the withers while the saddles will pinch if the gullet is too narrow 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.
Try on as many saddles as possible 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 Too small can make you bump against the pommel at every stride, while too large can make it difficult for you to maintain your position.
Consider your budget as well 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. But as much as possible, spend as much as you could afford Better trust a branded yet trusted product than a cheap unnamed one. Saddles are crucial to a safe and enjoyable riding, so never settle for an inferior product
Bridleways Saddlery supplies all types of saddles as well as wintec saddles , horse riding body protectors and cortaflex for horses .
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