| When you are in the market for a horse saddle it | | | | their horses. The western saddle is also used in |
| is important to know what kind or riding you are | | | | horse riding lessons because the size and the |
| going to do. The horse saddle has to fit you just | | | | style gives the beginner a greater feeling of |
| right, so it is important that you try out different | | | | security. This saddle is heavy and it is important |
| ones and different styles until you find one that | | | | to make sure that the saddle fits the horse |
| you are comfortable with. The main types of | | | | perfectly because if it doesn't you risk injury to |
| saddles for the serious riders are English, | | | | your horse. There are actually many different |
| Western, and Australian. Each of these saddles | | | | styles of western saddles, suited for different |
| has something different to offer the rider. | | | | functions, such as barrel, show, racing, trail to |
| English saddles are used in all of the Olympic | | | | name a few. |
| equestrian events. This saddle was designed to | | | | The Australian saddle is all about the riders |
| give the horse the freedom to move around, | | | | comfort. The saddle spreads the bearing weight |
| jump and run. In England as fox hunting grew in | | | | throughout the rider's body, making sure that |
| popularity, so did the English saddle. This saddle | | | | their rear end and thighs support equal amounts |
| allowed the horse to be able to jump fences and | | | | of their body weight. This is the saddle that is |
| move quick and fluidly. This is the saddle that is | | | | used by the people that are confident in their |
| called upon during long riding trips and is viewed as | | | | riding abilities. If you have a horse that you trust |
| the most comfortable for not only you but your | | | | than you have no reason to have a bulkier, more |
| horse as well. It is important that you get a | | | | heavy saddle. If you truly do not believe that this |
| proper fit on this saddle because if it is doesn't fit | | | | saddle could be comfortable just by looking at it, |
| correctly, it could cause your horse to buck and | | | | than rest assure this saddle had been worked on |
| rear. If the horse catches you off guard with one | | | | and improved for over two decades |
| of these motions you risk injuring yourself and | | | | Whatever your riding style is it is important that |
| your horse. Some styles of English saddles include | | | | you purchase the proper saddle. The right saddle |
| dressage, jumping and racing saddles. | | | | is not only what keeps you safe and secure, but |
| Western saddles are known as the cowboy | | | | also your horse. If the saddle is misfitted then it |
| saddle. This is the saddle that you are going to | | | | will rub the horse, leaving them with open sores. |
| put on your working horse. This saddle was | | | | Any open sore can lead to infection which could |
| designed to keep the rider secure on the bumpy | | | | have devastating effects on your horses health. |
| trail. Orignally designed for the cowboys on the | | | | A perfect saddle fit makes for a happy rider and |
| cattle ranches that had to spend everyday on | | | | a happy horse. |