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Choosing The Right Show Saddle

Posted on July 14, 2010
Filed Under Outdoors | Leave a Comment

If you are looking for a good show saddle for yourself, or you are a parent outfitting your child for their first big competition, you need to do a little research in order to make the right decision. Start by considering the look you want, the size you will need and the type saddle for the kind of work your or your child’s horse will be doing.

Appearance can range from flashy, with accents like real silver or silver toned metals and colorful leather fringes, to saddles that feature simply leather or leather with elaborate hand tooled designs. Price is directly related to the extra decorations applied to a saddle, and may not be what you are after. All that flash and dazzle can become the important attraction rather than the horse and rider.

Saddle size depends on the rider’s height and weight, combined with their horse’s breed. The part of a saddle measured to get the sizing for riders extends from the saddle’s horn to the center of the saddle’s cantle. Next the horse breed’s individual characteristics have to be considered. Breed type affects body shape–some are slimmer animals and some, like quarter horses, have heavier, wider body types. The girth must be adequate to provide a comfortable fit around the horse and to secure the saddle reliably. Proper padding is essential to ensure the saddle fits securely and does not rub against the horse’s back, causing discomfort or injury.

Saddles generally fall into two categories: English or Western. The type of competition usually mandates which saddle is appropriate, but if the saddle type is immaterial, the horse’s breed plus the preference of the rider are important. Tennessee Walking Horses were bred for wealthy landowners to comfortably ride from plantation to plantation. They wore the gentlemanly English riding saddle and that custom still holds through to equestrian shows for this breed. Quarter horses were bred to be run fast, short sprints for chasing and cornering livestock. Western cowmen needed horses that were powerfully muscled to help control a roped animal that could weigh as much as their horse. Working horses like the quarter horse use Western saddles, and frequently are in rodeo contests and barrel races.

Choosing which saddle to buy can be intimidating if the shopper has not done their homework. But a little thought and research will help pick out a great saddle that will give years of service and pleasure. Learn more about Wintec stock saddle or Albion jumping saddle.

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