What saddle is most comfortable for the horse?

7 Most Comfortable Western Saddles for Trail Riding

• Acerugs Western Pleasure Trail Saddle.
• King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle.
• Wintec Full Quarter Western Saddle.
• Wintec Western Trail Saddle.
• Acerugs Leather Comfy Trail Saddle.
• Circle Y High Horse Eldorado Saddle.
• King Series Jacksonville Trail Saddle Reg.

Are Western saddles better for the horse?

If you think your Western saddle provides better pressure distribution than a smaller English saddle, think again: A recent Swiss study revealed that Western saddles can have uneven pressure distribution—twice as high in the front third than in the rear third and up to three times the weight of the rider.

What saddle is best for a short backed horse?

Pegasus saddles
Pegasus saddles are particularly suited for horses with short backs! While wonderful for all horses, the short panels of Pegasus saddles keep the rider’s weight off of the horse’s back end, making it easier for your horse to move.

How do I choose a saddle for my horse?

Western Seat Sizes for the Rider If you know your seat size in an English saddle, a good rule of thumb is to choose a Western saddle with a seat size two inches smaller than your typical English saddle size. Sit in the Western saddle. There should be about four inches between your body and the swell of the saddle.

How do I know what size saddle my horse needs?

There should be about four inches between your body and the swell of the saddle. Anything less than that may mean a too-small saddle, and a bigger gap means the saddle may be on the large size. Larger may be more comfortable for you. Western riders with longer legs should choose a larger-size saddle.

What size saddle do I need?

A good rule of thumb is that an English saddle seat size will run around two inches larger than a Western saddle. So, if you ride a 15.5” Western saddle, you will likely need a 17.5” English saddle.

Is English or Western riding better?

English riding involves a bit more balance and coordination of the reins and legs, so riders may not feel immediately secure in the saddle. The larger Western saddle makes it easier for the beginner to sit comfortably and feel more secure.

What is a flat backed horse?

Flat-Backed Horse. Horses with flat backs are shaped like a table top. They usually have low wither definition and a straight top-line, making traditional saddles uncomfortable and the horses hard to fit. The problem with missing withers is that most saddles are built with normal withers in mind.

Does your saddle fit your horse’s back?

If the tree fits the contours of your horse’s back, everything else will fall into place. For that reason, your saddle search begins with a solid under­standing of tree shape and how it relates to saddle fit. Saddle fit starts in the tree.

What kind of saddle should I get for a broad backed horse?

A broad-backed horse will probably take a wide saddle, but be aware that those with very wide twists can be uncomfortable for the rider, so be sure to look for saddle designs that fit you, too. “Some of my saddles, like the Fidelio dressage model, offer a more sloping pommel shape,” says Temple.

What kind of horse has a broad back?

Sometimes that broad back crops up in other types, like Baroque horses or gaited breeds. “There are, of course, certain breeds that are consistently wide, like Fjords and Haflingers,” says Nancy Temple, founder of Duett Saddles, a Massachusetts-based saddle distributor of saddles to fit wide horses.

What is saddle fitting and why is it important?

The goal of saddle fitting is to have the rider’s weight evenly distributed. This is especially crucial for swayback horses, as too much pressure on their already weak ligaments can cause kissing spine.