| There are many different styles of horse riding | | | | front legs and shoulders as well as to provide for the |
| saddles out there. And, within each type, there are | | | | often higher withers associated with these breeds. |
| variations. What you will find is that there is a | | | | The seat is longer and flatter than either the Dressage |
| REASON saddles differ from each other in the way | | | | or Hunt Seat saddle. Because saddle seat riders also |
| they are structured. It is not simply a matter of style or | | | | ride with a longer stirrup than hunters, the flap on the |
| fashion. It is a matter of utility. What are the horse and | | | | cutback is also straight and long. |
| rider trying to accomplish? Are they trying to jump a | | | | Finally, we come to the Western saddle. This is a |
| fence or rope a calf? Saddles have evolved over time | | | | different animal from the three previously discussed |
| to reflect the various things we do with horses. | | | | horse riding saddles. The evolution of Western saddles |
| There are four BASIC kinds of horse riding saddles | | | | has an interesting history that goes back to the Moors |
| that you will most likely see in a riding stable. Be familiar | | | | and Spaniards. But, without going into too much detail, |
| with their differences and the reason they are | | | | suffice it to say that it was a war saddle, designed to |
| different. Lets start with a Dressage saddle: These | | | | accommodate a warrior on horseback and his various |
| saddles have a very straight cut, long flap in front | | | | needs. The saddle was brought to this country and |
| which is designed to accommodate the longer leg | | | | transitioned from a military saddle into one used to |
| position that a dressage rider utilizes in their discipline. | | | | accommodate the needs of a working cowboy. Thus, |
| The pommel and the cantle are a bit higher than in | | | | the most distinctive difference is the presence of a |
| some other saddles which leaves a deep seat for the | | | | horn which was used by cowboys to tie or dally a |
| rider to sit and communicate with their horse using their | | | | cow as they are maintaining the herd. And, because |
| natural aids. Some dressage saddles have more or | | | | these saddles had to be strong enough to handle |
| less padding in this front flap depending on the riders | | | | another animal being tied to the horn, western saddles |
| preference in maintaining proper leg position. | | | | are bigger, stronger and more substantial than English |
| By contrast consider the Hunt Seat saddle. This saddle | | | | saddles. Also, unlike the English saddles the stirrups are |
| is designed for jumping. Riders use a shorter stirrup | | | | not detachable, so the stirrups, where you put your |
| length when they are jumping and for this reason, | | | | feet, are bulkier making it is unlikely that your foot |
| these saddles have a forward-cut flap that has | | | | would get hung or stuck. |
| padded knee rolls. The rider, therefore, sits slightly | | | | Although I will not go into it in this article, Western |
| further back than in a Dressage saddle. These things | | | | saddles differ among themselves based on what they |
| help position the rider in an advantageous way to jump | | | | are used for. For example, Roping saddles have |
| a fence. The pommel and cantle are lower than a | | | | thicker horns for securing a rope. Cutting saddles have |
| Dressage saddle which serves to reduce any | | | | a deeper seat and wider swells allowing the rider to |
| interference as the rider takes a two-point position, or | | | | endure sharp stops and turns. Barrel racing saddles |
| half-seat. | | | | are more lightweight, with wide swells letting the horse |
| The Cutback saddle is another English type saddle, like | | | | perform fast sprints easier. And there are many more! |
| the other two. And, just so you know, you may hear | | | | This article is simply an overview of the 4 basic kinds |
| this saddle referred to as a Lane Fox or a Park | | | | of horse riding saddles that you will see in most riding |
| Saddle or a Flat Saddle. But they all refer to the same | | | | stables. There are plenty more, based on other |
| saddle. The Cutback saddle is known for and actually | | | | specialties, like Side Saddle. This should, however, give |
| named for the cut back area in the pommel located at | | | | you enough information to get started learning the 4 |
| the withers. Horses with higher leg action, such as the | | | | basic saddles. If you have the opportunity, try out the |
| Saddlebreds, the Tennessee Walkers, the National | | | | various types and you will start getting a feel for what |
| Show Horse, Morgans and Arabians, will utilize this | | | | you may prefer. |
| saddle to accommodate the greater motion of the | | | | |