Choosing a Horse Saddle
One of the most important pieces of tack you will buy is a saddle. There are many different kinds of horse saddles available today and choosing the right one can be a daunting task. Here are some answers to some of the most common questions that arise when shopping for horse saddles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Saddles
What is the best saddle for my horse?
The best saddle for your horse is a saddle that fits. Any style of saddle can be great for your horse as long as it fits them properly. To learn more about how to fit saddles you can check out these pages that explain how to fit a western saddle or how to fit an english saddle.
How do I pick the right saddle for my horse?
Start by deciding what discipline you are interested in. If you usually do a specific kind of riding like dressage or barrel racing select a specialized horse saddle like a dressage saddle or a barrel saddle. If you aren’t sure what kind of riding you want to do, try some different styles and decide which one you like the most. Then make sure the saddle fits both you and your horse.
What size saddle do I need for my horse?
The size of the saddle depends more on the size of the rider than the size of the horse. Here are the basic sizes that saddles come in:
- Children’s Saddle: 12”-13”
- Small Adult Saddle: 14”
- Medium Adult Saddle: 15”
- Large Adult Saddle: 16”
- Extra Large Adult Saddle: 17” or above
The structure of the horse saddle you need will depend on how wide the horses withers are and how narrow their back is.
How do you measure a saddle for a rider?
Horse saddles are measured from the tip of the cantle to the top of the pommel. Whatever that measurement is in inches will tell you what size the saddle is.
Are English or Western saddles better?
English horse saddles and western horse saddles are equally as good as long as they fit properly. Which type of horse saddle you choose is entirely up to preference.