Horseback riding can easily turn into your lifelong passion as you feel the beauty and benefits it provides. In addition to providing you with the chance to learn more of and master patience, discipline, compassion, and empathy, it’s also great for the overall health and well-being. It’s great for hand-eye coordination improvement, muscle toning, and turns out to be a nice cardiovascular workout.
As you welcome more of the equestrianism in your life, it becomes evident there’s the need to be equipped with the right saddle to make the most of it. And, the two most common choices you get to choose from are English and Western. These two options cater to different riding styles and disciplines, and we’re going to cover this so you have some idea of which is better suited for you.
English Saddles
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In case you’re up for more contact with the horse when you’re sitting and riding, the horse English pony saddle and English saddle in general is the flat seat design with minimal padding that can provide exactly this. The difference in the one for pony is that it’s created for the anatomical features of a pony so it’s got a wider tree to accommodate the wider pony build.
One of the crucial benefits of opting for the English saddle is that you get better connection and communication with your horse. The other benefit is you can expect to get a balanced and upright posture during riding, more so thanks to elements like stirrup bars positioned forward.
Any activity that requires precision, agility, as well as balance (think dressage and show jumping) is just right for the use of this kind of saddle. Often, these saddles are preferred for the aesthetic appeal, so they’re commonly used during competitions. The types of English horse saddle you can choose from are:
- Jumping - When the focus is on the jumps, like in show jumping, you need a seat with a forward cut and padded flaps like the jumping English pony saddle design.
- Dressage - You’ll recognise these saddles for the deep seat with long flaps, designed to assist with your balance as you’re positioned over the horse’s centre of gravity.
- General Purpose - If you require something that’s not specialised in just the one activity, and can cater to various, then the hybrid general purpose saddle is the one you should opt for. It’s fit for both dressage and jumping, as much as flatwork activities.
Western Saddles
If you prefer more comfort during the rides, then you should look into the Western saddles. Made for a relaxing riding experience, notably you can see the stirrups added wider apart, and the deep seat with high and contoured cantle that makes you feel comfortable and supported throughout the rides.
The other difference that separates them from English saddles is that they’re heavier, but this doesn’t come at the expense of the horse because the weight (of rider and saddle) is dispersed over a larger area. The result here is that the horse doesn’t get tired that quickly, which is why these saddles are used for ranch work, as much as rodeo events and trail riding.
As such, these are saddles known for their sturdiness and reliability to get you through a whole lot of riding, as they handle wear and tear well. Not surprisingly, they’re made from more tough and resilient materials. The types of Western saddle you can choose from are:
- Trail - If you’re going to be doing long-distance rides, you need all the comfort you can get from trail saddles with padded seats.
- Barrel Racing - When you’re moving around barrels, you require a saddle that’s lightweight, and a tall riding horn to help out with the grip.
- Roping - When you’re roping cattle, that calls for the job of roping saddles that are known for their strength and durability.
How to Choose Between These Two Basics?
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It’s important to go over the crucial aspects that are important for your riding experience, and these are things like the kind of discipline you do to determine the ideal design for your needs, followed by the purpose of the saddle. If it’s for competitive sports, then you’d be better off with the English, whereas for ranch work and long rides where you need all the comfort, then it’s the Western’s turn.
Next up, it’s necessary to also consider the size and fit, as not all horses or riders are the same hence the variety of options available at the specialised retailers. When in doubt, be sure to measure up to get the perfect fit, and to count on comfort for both you and the horse throughout the rides. Lastly, it’s important to remember to look into how to do proper care and maintenance to prolong the lifespan and reliability of the saddle of choice. A little cleaning regularly, plus conditioning afterwards, could be just what the saddle needs to retain the sturdiness and form.
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