Saddle Up! Selecting the Right Saddle for Your Horse

The secret to good equitation is a solid seat. (Just ask any seasoned rider.) And a solid seat begins with a good saddle. Equestrian saddles come in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and even colors. Horses and riders come in all forms too. How do you find the perfect fit?

Tack stores and catalogs offer a range of saddles for every equestrian discipline: from barrel racing to dressage, and from Western reining to fox-hunting. A suitable saddle must fit the chosen sport, the rider, and (most important) the horse.

What Style of Riding Do You Prefer?

Countless saddle options are available. If you are a cross-training equestrian, you could potentially own several of them. But saddles can be expensive - even thousands of dollars! It is important to evaluate the types of riding you plan to do and choose accordingly.

Basically, the various styles of saddles are designed for the diverse equestrian disciplines. Ideally, you will select a saddle that will best suit you for the bulk of your riding.

Western equestrians may choose from a huge variety of saddle styles. These come in leather, suede, and synthetics. Some are simple, while others bear ornate engravings, conchos, and adornments. Western saddles include:

all-around work saddles

barrel-racing saddles

cutting saddles

endurance saddles

pleasure and trail saddles

ranch saddles

reining saddles

roping saddles

show saddles

training saddles

English riders may select from several flat- and deep-seated styles. Some offer knee rolls, while others have flatter flaps. Most English saddles have shorter billet straps than their Western counterparts, so their girths will be considerably longer. English saddle styles may include:

close-contact saddles

dressage saddles

jumping saddles

park saddles

polo saddles

racing saddles

saddleseat saddles

show saddles

In addition, sidesaddles are available for both English and Western riding. Australian stock saddles, military saddles, and tree-less saddles are other options.

If you are unsure about which style of saddle you need, you might ask a riding instructor or equestrian trainer to accompany you to the tack store or to mark items in a saddlery catalog.

What About Discounted Saddles?

Smart shoppers may find excellent saddle bargains. Catalogs and online merchants offer discounted styles, slightly blemished saddles, and even customer returns at deep discounts. However, you need to know exactly what specifications you seek. Check shipping policies and guarantees carefully.

Also, used saddles are available at many tack stores and even online. These must be examined carefully. Do not purchase a used saddle, if the tree (underneath) is warped or broken. Such a saddle is worthless and potentially dangerous to a horse. (If you are considering purchasing a saddle on the internet, you will want to check on return policies, just in case.)

How Do You Try Out a Saddle?

Most tack stores have molded forms, on which you can place a saddle to try sitting in it. This is a moment for ignoring those around you. Try stretching and swinging your legs. Try posting, if you are an English rider. Does the saddle feel comfortable? Is it pinching your leg anywhere? (Keep in mind that brand-new leather can be quite stiff. Breaking-in a new saddle may take some time; eventually, it will feel like it is your own.)

If at all possible, attempt to take the saddle for a test ride. Most reputable merchants will allow this. Some may require a deposit, which is refunded when the saddle is returned unscarred.

When trying out a new or used saddle, the horse should stand squarely on flat, level ground. By standing directly behind the horse (out of kicking range, of course), you can tell if he is standing evenly. (Both of his hips should be level, and his head and neck should face forward.) Put the saddle on his back, behind his withers, with no pad. If the saddle fits, it should sit evenly on his back. (If you are not sure, ask an experienced equestrian, or enlist the help of a professional saddle-fitter.)

Bear in mind, a brand-new English saddle will very likely not have leathers or irons (stirrups), and you will need to ride without these, so as not to put markings on the leather. (The basic rule is this: You mark it; you bought it.)

When you ride in a potential saddle, be alert to your horse's body language. Does he seem comfortable or agitated? Are his movements less fluid than usual?

How Are Saddles Fitted?

Basically, saddles are sized in two ways: seat size and tree size. The seat accommodates the rider. The tree must fit the horse. Saddles must be tried-on for fitting. You may have to try several saddles to find the one that fits you both best. It is worth the extra effort, and your horse will thank you for it!

Professional saddle-fitters make their living by making barn calls to ensure saddles fit properly. In fact, they can alter saddles to better fit both horse and rider, if needed. These individuals have completed technical training and academic coursework in their field. Their assistance is money well-spent.

An ill-fitting saddle can lead to back, neck, balance, and soundness problems for the horse or even to an unscheduled dismount for the rider! Many a horse has bucked and reared, launching its rider into the air, simply because his saddle was pinching his back.

Remember, all tack items are tools for the horse and rider. As such, they ought to encourage better performance -- not hinder it. A good saddle is an investment in your equine partnership, which will, quite possibly, last a good long time.

Don't forget: A Western saddle will require a cinch, and an English one will need a girth.