Speaking in very general terms, the most popular saddles in use are either of the English or the Western style. Nonetheless even within these broad categories there are a number of sub-divisions. Aside from these 2, there are also Australian and endurance saddles. Somebody with any idea of the world of horses will be able to distinguish an English from a Western saddle at first sight. These saddle types come in variations designed for specific riding preferences, events and riders.
The fundamental features of a western saddle are a horn and a high form in front. The saddle is also deep of seat, with a cantle of variable height comprising the rear. The skirt on western saddles is extremely distinct, and the stirrups and fenders are long and wide. They also are ornately carved and decorated most of the time.
English saddles weigh much less than western saddles. They are definitely simpler and more functional. They’re distinguished by flat seats, with no horn or visible fork. The front of the English saddle is correctly called the pommel. The cantle at rear is a little thin and like the cantles on western saddles, may vary in height. The skirts and fenders of the western saddle are replaced on the English saddle by ‘flaps’, which stay close to the body of the pony. Stirrups are minimally styled and connected to the saddle by thin leather strips. English saddles come in designs that differ from the most well-liked pleasure version, the hunt seat, to the more specialised dressage and show saddles. These latter saddles need to satisfy certain criteria to be eligible for use in competition. Endurance saddles and Australian saddles mix features of both western and English saddles. Just recently, they have increased in popularity with riders who otherwise use both English and western saddles, because they are resilient and strong, yet extraordinarily light and practical.
Whatever saddle you use, your first concern must be correct fit first for the horse and then for the rider. Using badly fitted saddles is risking sores on the pony, and even making the pony allergic to being ridden. As a matter of general measurement guidelines, you measure the widest stretch of the part of the horse’s back that takes the saddle and make sure any saddle you purchase corresponds to that measurement on the inside. It is best that you try out a new saddle on your pony before buying it, whether it is brand new or used. According to experts, you try out the fit by seeing if 3 of your fingers slip in nicely between the saddle’s front, the pommel and your horse’s withers. This implies a correct fit: if there’s extra space, the saddle is too large and if the three fingers fail to go in comfortably, the saddle is not sufficiently big enough.
If you find the cinch to be too short to go around the girth, just get a longer one. This doesn’t have anything to do with the saddle’s fit across the horse’s back. Continually check your horse’s back to confirm that the pony isn’t being subject to uneven or unjustified pressure stemming from a badly fitted saddle. Look for areas that show undue friction or dry spots within the otherwise swetty area beneath the saddle.
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