Selecting the Best Saddle - By: Azlan

A saddle is one of the first pieces of equipment nearly all people purchase after they get a horse. It is a major investment; picking out and buying a saddle call for much calculation and understanding. The life-time of nearly all saddles is several times that of a horse, so take great care when selecting a saddle.

The first step in selecting a saddle is to decide which style of riding you like better. For many riders this may not be significant. The decision probably was made long before, and the horse bought specially for that style. For a beginner, however, choosing the riding style may pose more of a problem. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages.

Western or stock saddles tend to be large and heavy. They are hard, if not impossible, for young people to manage. However, they provide plenty of protection for a beginner. The depth of the saddle and the quantity of leather below the leg, knee and seat isolate the horse from the rider.

Western saddles are probably more versatile, rugged and durable than other styles. They can be found and purchased in a broad assortment of designs and prices. Hunt-jump saddles are ordinarily quite light and effortlessly managed. Here, too, a wide variety of designs and prices is available. This kind of saddle permits the rider, in most situations, to sit closer to the horse, to sense the horse and to communicate more effortlessly with seat and legs. As a rule, these saddles require more training of the rider in acquiring a confident seat than with standard saddles.

Saddles used to ride and exhibit gaited or park horses, such as the Lane Fox saddle, are kind of restricted in use. They retain many of the advantages of the hunt-jump saddles — they are light and permit effortlessness in communicating with the horse. However, they position the rider so far at the back of the withers that the sole means for the rider to be in equilibrium with the horse is to have the horse well collected and working off its quarters. This type of saddle leaves the least amount of protection for the rider; any rider must learn to ride such a saddle properly.

Dressage saddles are configured to fit women's ankle-length skirts. Although they are used for other modes of riding, they are not preferred. The design of this saddle offers the rider with maximum ease of communication with the horse and holds the rider in complete equilibrium and form, whether the horse is highly collected or mildly extended, all between the somewhat fine limits of tradition.

There are many saddles designed for very specific purposes aside from those formerly brought up. These consist of side-saddle, trick saddle and special show or display saddle. These saddles are exceedingly definite in their design. Using them for whatever function other than their intended purpose should be discouraged. Safety, comfort of the rider and ability to maintain soundness of the horse must be considered before beauty or the desire for a unique design.

About the Author

Ricky Hamilton is a researcher and writer working for http://www.saddleteam.com, where you can get all the best horse saddles at the best prices. Visit us for all your saddle needs.

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