Riding in Comfort: A Complete Guide to Choosing a Horse Saddle

Horse riders have been using saddles for centuries because they are convenient and comfortable for them and their horses. While our ancestors rode bareback before the invention of the saddle and didn’t have the luxury of using it for millennia, we use it today not only because we’re accustomed to it. 

So, why do people ride horses with saddles? Horse saddles, designed more comfortably than a horse’s spine, help anchor the rider in place and balance their gravity centre to that of the horse. Besides enhanced comfort, it offers increased security, preventing the rider from slipping and drastically minimizing the risk of falling. Therefore, finding the right saddle can make or break your riding experience.

Learn the Parts of the Saddle

You can’t find the right saddle without correctly understanding its different parts. It’s well worth it in the long run as it’ll also help you follow the instructor’s advice, order a replacement part when needed, or join an equestrian chat (if those are your cup of tea).

While there are a few distinctions between the different saddle types regarding parts, some are standard. The saddle body consists of a tree (the foundation of the saddle that is not visible), a gullet (sometimes called a channel), and panels at either side of the gullet (for cushioning and shock absorption). Pomel, cantle, seat, and flaps are the most important parts outside the saddle, while the girth, billets, knee and thigh block are found under the saddle flap.

Horses’ Saddle Types

You must pick the correct type when choosing a comfortable and safe horses’ saddle. English and Western saddles are the most popular types in Canada. Different categories fall under these two varieties addressing different riding needs. While side saddles, originally designed for women riding in long dresses and skirts, are much less common today, you might still see them at shows because of their heritage values.

English Saddle

The English saddle is one of the most popular styles worldwide, specifically designed for the English riding style. This method is also employed in equestrian sports, ranging from Olympic level to eventing, dressage, and showjumping. In contrast to other saddle types, English saddles are lighter and flatter, providing closer touch with the horse. Additionally, they have a lot of self-padding in the seat-attached flaps. English saddles lack a horn, unlike the Western variety.

Nonetheless, English tackles come in a wide range of styles. Each design is made for a particular use or competitive area, and variations exist regarding the cantle height, the seat depth, and the length and angle of the flaps. All-purpose, dressage, and jumping saddles are the most popular categories of English saddles.

All-Purpose 

The eventing horse saddle, often known as an all-purpose saddle, is adaptable enough for both dressage and jumping. It features a forward flap for jumping and a deep seat for flatwork, allowing for adjustable stirrup lengths to suit both disciplines. Though it lacks knee rolls, its adaptability makes it popular with beginners and riding schools. Often the first saddle for new riders, it’s used at novice and intermediate levels but is typically replaced with specialised saddles as riders gain experience.

Dressage

Designed for flatwork, the dressage saddle has a deep seat and long, straight flaps to help the rider maintain a long leg position and control the horse. The straight flaps free up the horse’s shoulders for smoother movement. With a higher cantle than pommel, this saddle aids the seated trot and offers less padding for closer rider-horse contact. The drop girth method prevents interference with the horse’s shoulders, making it ideal for higher-level dressage riders.

Jumping

A jumping saddle provides security and balance with forward-cut flaps, a flatter seat, and often padded knee rolls, allowing the rider to adopt a two-point position. Its low pommel and cantle ensure unhindered movement during jumps. Used in disciplines like showjumping and cross-country, this saddle is preferred by advanced riders over general-purpose ones.

Western 

In the USA, the western horses’ saddle was developed for moving cattle and riding the range, activities that often involved long days and vast distances. Although they weigh more than English saddles, they provide longer-term comfort for the horse and the rider. Because the saddle covers a greater area of the horse, the rider’s weight is distributed more widely, and as such there are less pressure points that can cause discomfort.

The most obvious feature of a western saddle is the horn, which is not present in English saddles. It was included as a way to guide and rope cattle. Compared to English versions, Western models have less cushioning, so a second blanket or pad is needed to make the horse more comfortable. Stronger stirrups for added comfort and support on long days are also included, along with a cinch system that secures the saddle with a knot rather than a girth strap.

Used or New?

You will also need to consider if you want to get a new saddle for your horse or look for a secondhand one. Although buying a new saddle can be costly, you get an undamaged, free-of-wear-and-tear product. If it’s a high-quality model, it should give you additional years of service. Depending on where you buy it, you can also have more options for customizing the saddle to fit you and your horse. It’s also important to remember that a new saddle will probably have a “break-in” phase during which it could be uncomfortable until you get used to it.

However, if you’re a beginner with a tight budget, saddles can be found online, at tack shops, and secondhand from other riders at far more affordable prices. However, buying a used saddle is much more complicated because you’re spending money on something that might already be damaged, so you’ll need to take the time to inspect it to make sure it’s in excellent shape.