Sunday, April 19, 2009

Horse Riding Saddles " Guide to the 4 Basic Types of Saddles

By Lisa Blackstone

Horse riding saddles, which is also referred to as equestrian saddles, are seats attached on the horses back to support the rider. Riders use saddles for security and comfort when riding a horse. Before, saddles are just made of some sort of padding or protection secured by a surcingle. Today, saddles have more elaborate designs.

Horse riding saddles have many different styles such as English saddles, Stock saddles, military saddles, Asian saddles and endurance saddles. The structures of horse riding saddles differ as their utilities. Meaning, there is a specific saddle for use in specific horse riding discipline.

There are four basic types of horse riding saddles that are most likely to be seen or encountered. These basic types differ in structures as well as in their intended use.

A dressage saddle is an English saddle that is used by dressage riders who perform discipline that do not involve jumping. For this reason, the saddle is designed with a deep seat to allow the rider to sit comfortably and relaxed. It has long stirrups, long and straight down saddle flaps, a high cantle and a high pommel. In this type of saddle, padding is lesser.

Like the Dressage saddle, the hunt seat saddle is also an English-type saddle. However they have very different structures. Hunt seat saddle features a flat, padded seat that is positioned further back, shorter stirrups, low cantle and pommel, and padded knee rolls. But the most distinguishing feature is its forward-cut flap that allows for a shorter stirrup length.

Hunt seat saddle is also referred to as jumping saddle, close contact saddle or forward seat saddle. This saddle is designed for use in show jumping, fox hunting, hunt seat equitation, stadium eventing and cross-country eventing.

Cutback saddle is also a popular type of English saddle that is used for saddle seat riding. Saddle seat riding is a horseback riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of a certain horse breed. It has longer and flatter seat, wide front-to-back flaps, cut back pommel and long stirrups. This saddle is also known as saddle seat saddle, Park or Lane Fox.

Not all popular saddles are English saddles. Western saddles are also one of the basic saddles used today. A Western saddle is developed for the purpose of working cattle across vast areas. It is characterized by the horn on top of the pommel on the front of the saddle.

Western saddles feature deep seats and high cantles. They are designed with heavy and substantial trees to absorb the shock of roping. Also these saddles have no padding between the trees and the external leather and fleece skirting. Western saddles come in many types including roping saddle, cutting saddle, barrel racing saddle, endurance saddle, trail saddle and equitation saddle. - 23802

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