All About Reining Saddles

Western reining saddles, or the reiner horse saddle, are designed for competitive reining events. Most reining saddles have forward-hung stirrups to help keep the rider sitting back during quick stops and close contact seats to help the rider's seat aids. Reining saddles often have a medium-height fork and horn, dropped rigging, and slender stirrups.

These saddles are mainly designed for easy movement and precise communication with the horse. This also makes them good for training green horses. Western reining saddles are not useful for roping.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reining Saddles

What saddle is used for reining?

Reining saddles are Western Saddles that are specifically designed for reining events.

What size reining saddle do I need?

Sizes range depending on your weight, height, and personal preference. For some more details check out this western saddle fitting page to find out how to find the right-sized western saddle for you and your horse.

Are reining saddles heavy?

Reining saddles are typically pretty heavy. They usually weigh between 40-60 pounds.

What is the difference between a reining saddle versus western saddle?

The difference between a reining saddle and other western saddles is that a reining saddle is a type of western saddle designed for reining events. There are many different types of western saddles designed for specific purposes.

How do you identify a reining saddle?

Reining saddles have forward-hung stirrups, a low horn, low cantle, and they usually sit low on the horse's back. These main features are engineered to help the horse and rider communicate precisely during reining events.