| When selecting a saddle, there are several things | | | | nicer looking and clean and have the benefit of |
| to consider. Quality, size, style, and price are all | | | | not having any wear and tear put on them yet. |
| considerations. In the United States the primary | | | | Keep in mind that a good quality saddle that is |
| riding styles are Western and English. | | | | well taken care of will hold its value better than an |
| Western riding is a style of riding that came about | | | | lesser quality or worn out saddle, so when you go |
| for functionality purposes. The heavy duty | | | | to resell it, it will be easier to sell and you will get |
| Western saddles with horns were used when | | | | more money for it. |
| working livestock and the horns came in handy to | | | | There are many different brand names as well. A |
| hold the rope and also offered a place of leverage | | | | good quality saddle is more important than a |
| when dragging livestock or heavy items like logs | | | | brand name, although many brand name saddles |
| for building. | | | | are very good quality. Find the best quality saddle |
| English riding existed mostly along the east coast | | | | for you budget. If you can afford to get |
| and was purely a recreational sport, with a small, | | | | something less quality that won't last as long, but |
| flat saddle in comparison that wouldn't be much | | | | in a few years you will have money to replace it |
| good in working situations like the Western | | | | before it wears out that might be the way to go. |
| saddles were used for. Fox hunting was a very | | | | Possibly the most important part of a saddle is |
| popular sport back when our country was newer | | | | whether it fits your horse. If a saddle is ill-fitting, it |
| and was a common pastime and sport. | | | | could pinch or rub on the horse and cause sores |
| When selecting a saddle, first decide which style | | | | on the skin or muscles, or even cause pain to |
| you plan to ride, Western or English, and then if | | | | where the horse will buck or do some other |
| you plan on a specific discipline within those | | | | behavior that could be dangerous to the rider. If |
| parameters, such as hunt seat or reining. You | | | | you have the best quality saddle in the world, if it |
| want to select a saddle that will work for what | | | | does not fit your horse, it's not worth it. Make |
| you want to use it for. | | | | sure the saddle clears the withers with enough |
| Saddles come in different qualities as well, ranging | | | | room to spare and also that it is not too tight in |
| in price from $50 to $5,000 depending on what | | | | the shoulders. |
| you choose. Most decent quality saddles will last | | | | Seat size is something else you should consider. |
| your entire lifetime if they are taken care of | | | | You want to sit in the seat of the saddle and |
| properly. You want to get the most bang for | | | | have an inch or two in between the pommel of |
| your buck. Finding something used as opposed to | | | | the saddle and your thighs. That is how you know |
| new will help you get a better quality saddle for | | | | it fits you properly. |
| less money. Look it over to see if it is in need of | | | | After choosing your saddle, the most important |
| repair. Used saddles also have the benefit of being | | | | thing is to just have fun riding! |
| broken in already. New saddles are oftentimes | | | | |