Buying the perfect saddle for your horse

Tips on getting the right saddle for you and your horse

Buying a new saddle for your horse should be a well thought out, and tested, process in order to ensure absolute comfort for both the rider and the horse as this saddle will be part of your daily riding routine.  As a result, you need to be sure that you buy the suitable saddle for you and your horse and the kind of riding you perform.

There are many alternatives to consider when it comes to saddles with various features and designs so it is important before you buy any saddles that you understand what it is you need when riding. This means familiarising yourself with the types of saddles available and what style of riding they are suited for.

Are you a relaxed, casual rider or do you and your horse compete in sports? This should be the first major consideration as this will alter the saddle options significantly with there being different demands on each type of saddle.  The options range from the Australian Saddle if comfort and relaxation are desired, these being great saddles for casual riders to English and Western saddles. Western Saddles are great for training sessions due to their leg controlling ability features, although it should be noted that there are many specific types of Western saddles available with some suited for all-purpose riding while others can be for show horses.  

Then there are all-purpose English saddles which are great for gaited horses although like the other types of saddles, they range in their specifications.

When choosing which saddle to use it is important to check that the seat is comfortable and well padded for the horse while also having proper grip and legs placement. Achieving the proper and ideal saddle seat placement is essential for comfortable riding for both rider and horse, with common signs of an incorrect saddle fitting including expressions of pain by the horse and poor performance.

When it comes to where to buy a saddle, there are several quality outlets and options from saddle stores and horse equipment specialty shops to feed stores that will be able to provide a complete range of saddles. For a cheaper option you may consider classifieds, online sellers or even ebay, but in these occasions you will want to be certain on the sizing and style that you need or even better, access to try it out first.

Of course when it comes to buying a saddle it is always a question of cost that will arise, with saddle prices ranging from a few hundred for second-hand saddles to thousands of dollars. Those saddles that cost upwards of several thousands are generally those that are custom made for both the horse and the rider, but they are definitely worth considering as they are a major investment and you will probably use them for many years to come. Cheaper saddles will quickly show their flaws as they may cause pain or discomfort for either you or your horse while some may simply start to fall apart at the seams.

With second-hand saddles be sure to look into how safe they are by examining their condition, look at their stitching, the straps and footholds for any signs of breakage or damage, obviously being used there will be signs of wear but it is tearing or breaking that should be a concern.