Choosing the Right Horse Saddles A Comprehensive Guide
Let’s talk saddles! Whether you’re new to horses, looking to purchase a new saddle, or just interested in learning more about them, you’re in the right place. There are many types of saddles. Every discipline has its own type of saddle, and each discipline will have many options that set each saddle apart. While you’re reading through this list, keep in mind the type of riding you are interested in doing. This will help you decide what kind of saddle you should look into purchasing.
Western
Let’s start with the western disciplines. These saddles are most commonly used for rodeo events, ranching, western showing, and casual riding. These saddles can be versatile, where one saddle can be used for many types of western riding, but there are slight differences between each type.
All Around Saddle
These saddles are just how they sound. They can be used for many types of riding. They are comfortable enough to spend the day in on a ranch or out trail riding. The tree is strong enough for light to medium roping and the seat is deep enough to hold you in for speed events. This is a great option if you plan on doing a lot of different types of riding. They are usually on the heavier side because of the sturdy tree and extra leather. The horn might be thicker to allow you to use it to dally a rope. They are not usually very blingy so you might not want one of these for the show ring.
Barrel Saddle
These saddles are made for barrel racing. Barrel saddles are typically lighter than other western saddles. This is thought to help a horse run faster since they don’t have to carry around so much weight. They usually have a nice deep seat to help you stay in the saddle during a run. Often times they have a tall horn that you can grab to give you leverage when going around a turn. Many barrel saddles will have forward hung stirrups which helps the rider keep their legs in the right spot when giving cues. The saddle will most likely only have one layer of leather to the skirt to cut down on weight. Another way they will lessen their weight is by using a lighter tree. Because the tree isn’t as stout, you can’t rope out of a barrel saddle. If you try to dally on the horn or drag a calf, you will be risking breaking the tree of the saddle. Once the tree is broken, it is difficult and expensive to fix.
Barrel saddles can come in very blingy styles and colors. Which you don’t typically see with the other types of saddles.
Cutting Saddle
Cutting saddles are designed especially for ranchers or ranch rodeo contestants. They are meant to keep a rider balanced while cutting cattle. They will have a flat seat with a low cantle to keep the rider centered in the saddle. The horn is tall enough for a rider to grab for balance but not thick like what would be on a roping saddle. You shouldn’t rope out of a cutting saddle for the same reason as a barrel saddle. They cannot withstand the weight of a calf. You can use a cutting saddle reining, sorting, or even team penning competitions. These saddles are not usually very flashy, they are double skirted and full leather.
Reining Saddle
Reining saddles are very similar to cutting saddles. They often have silver pieces on them to stand out in a show ring. They might have a shorter horn to allow for easier rein movement from the rider. Reining riders might prefer to have a saddle that allows them to have close contact with their legs to be able to deliver correct and fast cues.
Ranch Saddle
These saddles are heavy and stout. They are meant for everyday use on the ranch. Ranch saddles have thick horns to allow for repeated roping. They can come with a deep or a flatter seat. This is more of a personal preference for ranchers who are looking to stay comfortable all day long. They often have saddle strings or D rings that will allow them to carry gear around with them wherever they go. These saddles will have a hefty tree that will allow for them to carry the weight of dragging cattle. They will be made of thick leather that will make them last a lifetime.
Roping Saddle
These saddles are like ranch saddles but are made for competition. They have smaller swells which allow a rider to quickly dismount. The horn and tree are sturdy to allow them to take the weight of a calf on the other end of the rope. They will have a wide flat seat to allow the rider to move around to do what they need to do to catch the calf. Roping saddles are usually pretty heavy and large to disperse the weight along the horses back.
Trail Saddle
Trail saddles are typically on the lighter side to allow the horse to not have to carry as much weight on the trail. They will have a padded seat that can be deep or flatter to keep the rider comfortable. Like ranch saddles, this is a personal preference. Trail saddles will come with saddle strings or D rings to allow the rider to attach saddle bags to carry tools and other necessities with them.
Show Saddle
Show saddles are used during western pleasure classes. These often have a fairly flat seat and short horn to allow for the rider to show themselves off and the horse while giving effective but subtle cues. They will be classy but flashy with engraved leather with silver accents. They are not made for speed or sudden turns, but slower more calculated movements.
When shopping for a western saddle. Find a saddle that has a seat that fits not only the type of riding you’d like to do, but the size of your body. Western saddles are all made to a certain seat size. A 13” or smaller is typically for a kid and anything larger is for an adult. Look into the fender size of each saddle to make sure they will be able to go long or short enough for your legs.
Look at the type of tree to see if it will fit your horse. The gullet and bar angles are important to look at to see if the fit will be good or cause pain for your horse.
English
Now let’s talk about English saddles. These are used for things like cross-country, jumping, English show classes, and dressage. They are a lighter weight and more close contact saddle than a western saddle. They do not have a horn or pommel and their stirrups do not have fenders. Like western saddles, any type of English saddle can used across English events, but each has its own things that make it custom to the event it’s made for.
Dressage Saddle
Dressage saddles are made for dressage competitions and riding. They have a deeper seat and longer flaps that allow for the rider to accomplish the intricate moves that dressage requires. They have longer billets that allow for the girth to be tucked out of the way of the riders foot when giving leg cues.
Close Contact Saddle
These saddles are made for jumpers. They make it easy for a rider to feel the horse’s movements and move with them. Riders who jump do not need to stay in the saddle like other disciplines. When they go over fences, they need to be able to get up and out of the saddle and out of the horse’s way. To do this, the stirrups need to be shorter. The flaps are shorter and more forward to allow for jumpers to keep their feet higher and still be comfortable.
Eventing Saddle
Eventing saddles are like close contact saddles, but they are mostly used for cross-country. They need to allow the rider freedom to move when going over a jump, but they need to be a little bulkier to keep a rider secure during a cross-country run. They will have a slightly deeper seat and longer stirrups to keep the rider in position.
Endurance Saddle
These saddles are meant to be ridden in for long periods at a time. They are typically lighter than other saddles to keep the horse comfortable. Endurance saddles will have padding to keep the rider comfortable and D rings to allow the rider to attach saddle bags to bring along any necessary equipment.
When looking for an English saddle, find one that will allow you to do the type of riding you are interested in. English saddle sizing is different than western. Typically, you will need a saddle 2” larger than what you use in a western saddle. 16” and below saddles are typically for children and anything larger is for an adult.
Like a western saddle, you will need to check the gullet measurement to make sure the saddle will fit your horse well and not cause any pain.
Any time you are looking to purchase a saddle, shop around. Don’t buy the first “deal” you see. It is more important that your horse and you are comfortable than it is to save money. Having a poor fitting saddle will cost you more money in the long run.
