“You can be in a very wide Fidelio and be amazed at how comfortable it is.” Other ideas include suspending the tree slightly over the horse, but that can mean a loss of contact. Cashel Soft Saddle G2 They usually do better with saddles that have V-shaped trees—but not always. It's made with a durable, scratch resistant material making it great for trail riding. A saddle that doesn’t fit causes tension, and when his body is tense, every footfall hits the ground with greater force. Sometimes that broad back crops up in other types, like Baroque horses or gaited breeds. King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle If you're looking for a high-quality synthetic saddle that's perfect for endurance or trail riding then this one from Kings Series is the one to choose. On the other side of the equation are those shark-withered Thorough­bred types who sprout white hairs even under a sky-high gullet. Go to www.americansaddlery.com. Too narrow and it could bridge, creating pressure points. Luckily, they also track the breed of each horse which enabled me to help you find the best horse breeds for endurance riding. Most saddle makers are happy to talk saddle fit with you. The endurance saddle is very comfortable for both the horse and rider during long periods of riding. Riding Tights made from Bi way stretch Lycra featuring an Inner knee reinforcement with synthetic suede. A tired rider is harder for a horse to carry. My own gelding, Cappy, certainly does. • The Cashel Trail Saddle, made by Martin Saddlery, is built on the Axis saddletree, which features bars that curve away from the horse’s shoulder to avoid interference and stirrup leather cutouts along the bars to allow for even pressure along the back. When riding with a Western saddle, you will use your seat more. If you are a horse owner or rider and would like to learn more about saddle fitting, and how the saddle can impact your horses performance and welfare, click on the link below: Copyright © The Saddle Bank 2019. Best Saddle for Trail Riding. DESERT LIGHT is a very lightweight and comfortable endurance saddle made of a special, non-absorbing moisture, material. Make sure your trusty trail steed is covered with the best western saddle pad. Whether your horse is the full-figured type like a lot of Haflingers and Fjords or angular and athletic like many Thoroughbreds, or even if he’s one of those in-between horses who’s either still growing or has conformation that doesn’t fit the mold of the average horse—there’s a saddle out there to fit him. If you are not sure what saddle to try, get in touch with our friendly team via email info@thesaddlebank.com or. Although the seat is true to size, it offers a different feel to our Original GP and petite riders or those with narrower hips may feel it suits them better.This saddle is ideal for shorter backed, high withered horses and those with wide spinal processes. Many of us know the sinking feeling that comes when you put your foot in the stirrup and feel your saddle roll sideways. A broad-backed horse will probably take a wide saddle, but be aware that those with very wide twists can be uncomfortable for the rider, so be sure to look for saddle designs that fit you, too. “But I’ve sold wide hoop-tree saddles for just about every breed there is—even Thoroughbreds.”. “The key to high withers is finding a saddle with sufficient clearance,” says Anderson. Drop panels in a saddle offer more surface area which would sit in the hollow behind the wither on high wither horses. A saddle that pinches a horse’s shoulders or presses on his withers can have all sorts of negative effects. That kind of repetitive concussion can contribute to soundness issues down the road.”, Likewise, some behavior problems may be traced to discomfort related to saddle fit problems. Saddle fit starts in the tree. “You would never want to put a flat tree on a horse with a bit of a sway in its back or vice versa. You can find many saddle for gaited horses and you might find it hard to choose as they all seem good and suitable. Either way, his back could change. Depending on model and customization, prices range from $950 to $1,729. *Also see my post on the Best Bras for Riding Horses. “A more angular horse with hollows behind the shoulder does better in a tree with a longer point,” says Anderson. ... riding in a wide saddle, ... which allows you to select a gullet bar that best fits your horse. [For your bookshelf: The Horse's Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book][For your bookshelf: The Western Horse's Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book: Soundness and Comfort with Back Analysis and Correct Use of Saddles and Pads], “I’ve always compared saddle fit to shoe fit,” says Dawn Anderson, a saddle fitter certified by the Society of Master Saddlers in the United Kingdom. In a Western saddle, look for a wide bar spread throughout, a substantial bar width (to offer better weight distribution) and a flatter bar angle. When it comes to saddles, some horses are just hard to fit. That doesn’t make for a happy horse.”. Pros. Best Endurance Saddle. All are built on a tree designed to fit Haflingers and other wide-backed horses. Endurance riders (and horses) are the marathon athletes of the equestrian world. It hurts! When it comes to saddles, some horses are just hard to fit. Guaranteed fit using the EQUImeasure Kit! On the other hand, says Temple, “Many in the natural horsemanship community, as well as other fitters and veterinarians, feel that fitting a horse with a too-wide saddle and using shims to lift the front is actually advantageous. https://mailchi.mp/3e71a72e8c92/the-saddle-bank-fitting-guide. And often traits that seem to go together naturally---tall and narrow, round and short, and the like---don’t when it comes to equine withers and backs. Although we all know the basic types of equine conformation, horses are as individual as we are. Bar crowns that fill in gaps or hollow pockets, bar flares for beefy shoulders or high croups, and a substantial sweep or rock for the dippy-backed horse work well. The T8 saddles incorporate the same model design features as the T4 saddles but are made with a quality leather seat, knee pads and trim with a synthetic underside. In addition to riding, consider doing some cardio building exercise. A good endurance saddle should sit properly on the horses back and be comfortable for both horse and rider. That’s where trail saddle shopping becomes more exacting---the more time you spend in a saddle, the more critical good fit becomes. Designed for Endurance, Trec and long distance riding. The general rule of thumb is to pick a saddle that is shorter in length and/or has a round saddle skirt. • Bars (rails on an English saddle) are the two strips that run parallel to your horse’s spine and are connected in front by the fork or pommel and in the back by the cantle. Prices range from $430 to $1,450. Thorowgood T4 Original GP – HGP The High Wither Standard GP is generous for its size, with a roomy seat, deep rear gussets and a slight curvature in the tree. Yes, there are all sorts of horses whose shapes make finding the right saddle difficult, and there’s a lot at stake. Endurance riding is gaining in popularity in the horse world but as Endurance GB says it isn’t for the faint hearted, and it isn’t for the rider who doesn’t actually enjoy being in the saddle for long stretches!. You have to ride with longer stirrups in an endurance saddle. Fortunately, there are literally hundreds of variations in bar spread, flare, width, rock and length that can enable saddletrees to fit the contours of any equine back comfortably. And finally there are the in-betweens, like my Quarter Horse, Cappy. A straighter cut flap allows for the longer, more relaxed endurance leg position. Ideally, the bar angle when viewed from the front of the horse will match the slope of the area just behind the horse’s shoulder known as the “saddle pocket.”. Horses with broad backs and low withers often do best with saddles that have hoop-shaped trees. Go to www.wintec.net.au. Now that I live in Montana instead of the flatland (errr, I mean Heartland), I’m lucky enough to be invited on trail rides to some pretty majestic places.I know better than to head up a mountain without ensuring my equipment is up for the rough and tough demands of trail riding. Horses of just about any breed, age or gender can be found in this category. • Bar angle is comparable to the pitch on your barn’s roof. Endurance Riding requires specialized clothing, saddles, tack and gear to go long distances. The Western-style trail saddle weighs just 24.5 pounds and has a soft, double-padded seat for rider comfort; it sells for $1,695. Endurance riding demands a high level of fitness of horse and rider. To ensure a good fit the saddle features a changeable gullet system, movable blocks at the knee and calf, and four girthing options. A better understanding of how to achieve a perfect fit will pay off in a quiet and focused ride. Eat properly, and try to go into the event rested. Circle Y Alabama Flex2 Trail Gaiter Saddle That does not fit right! Take one look at those withers and you might think narrow saddle. Horse saddles are much more than items placed on the horse for the comfort of the rider or aesthetic purposes. But it will be challenging to find the best treeless saddles. Take a look at The Saddle Bank’s. Too wide and it could sit too low on your horse’s spine. For these physiques consider an adjustable tree. No matter which type your horse has, be sure there’s no pressure there either before or after you ride. There are many companies today that produce saddle pads. • Bar flare refers to the bar tips, usually in front, where they curve up and away from your horse’s shoulders. A narrow saddle on this kind of horse will probably cause pain. “But sometimes ear pinning, tail swishing, teeth grinding, evasion of the bit, and even difficulty with upward and downward transitions can be linked to discomfort in the horse. Others have withers that taper off like a mountain range. Go to www.batessaddles.com. AceRugs All Natural Cowhide Western Leather Horse Saddle. Custom saddles endurance riders prefer include those made by Kanavy Endurance Saddles, the ReactorPanel Saddle Company, Sharon Saare Saddles, Specialized Saddles, SR Saddle Company, and Synergist Saddles, #8. And much of that discomfort can be traced to poor saddle fit.”, But if your horse has a hard-to-fit physique, you might be asking the question: "Is it even possible to achieve a good fit for him?". Ride to finish! A Western saddle is designed for long work days in the saddle, giving both the horse and the rider greater comfort for those long days. “Some of my saddles, like the Fidelio dressage model, offer a more sloping pommel shape,” says Temple. For that reason, your saddle search begins with a solid under­standing of tree shape and how it relates to saddle fit. This added luxury gives the feel of riding on an all leather saddle, whilst keeping the saddle light weight. Many of these horses have withers that taper into a broad, athletic back with a well-sprung rib cage. All Rights Reserved, We are an online retailer in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, If you are interested in trialling a saddle to see if its suitable for your horse. 15 Best Saddle for Gaited Horses. The saddles are made in the U.S.A., priced from the $500s to $1,000. Front gussets are an additional piece of leather stitched onto the front, which allows for more flocking in this area. The bar can be changed, as necessary, if your horse changes in size. If the tree fits the contours of your horse’s back, everything else will fall into place. Endurance Saddles & Bareback Pads Whether you are doing 100-mile rides or simply enjoying laid back trail rides, browse our wide selection to find an endurance or trail saddle that functions wonderfully for horse and rider comfort. Endurance riding has been around for 59 years now. If the saddle is not soft and light for the horse and the rider, it might be a problem. • Wintec, a subsidiary of Bates Saddles, has a range of lightweight synthetic saddles in several styles, including endurance, Western, Icelandic, stock and trail as well as for dressage and jumping. For more information or to find a retailer, go to www.thorowgood.com. Their gait creates a smooth ride and allows them to carry an above average amount of weight for their size. Finding saddles for the hard-to-fit horse can be a challenge. Here are a few suggestions for high-withered horses: • Black Country Saddles specializes in custom-built saddles for a number of English disciplines, including dressage, endurance, jumping, polo and hunters as well as Icelandic and general purpose. “Shoulder gussets and a dropped panel are a must to fill in the area behind the shoulder and lift the saddle enough in front to clear those withers.”. It has a round, 26″ length skirt. Some horses have shark withers that drop off sharply. In fact, today’s saddletree looks a lot like the ancient versions—just two strips of wood (or composite) connected by two arches—a pommel or fork at the front and a cantle at the back. Your saddle stays put, but you’re always on the lookout for signs of damage to your horse’s back and withers. Aside from a little tweaking here and there, the basic design of the saddletree hasn’t changed much in almost 2,000 years. If the tree fits the contours of your horse’s back, everything else will fall into place. They can be used for different types of riding. Some angles are narrow and steep; others are flat. This saddle has a slightly flatter tree on the underside and compact panels that allow the rider to feel closer to the horse, while still being deep enough to ensure maximum clearance along the length of the spine of a high-wither conformation. However, the endurance saddle is only suitable for endurance and long distance riding because the rider must ride long. Kent and Masters is essentially a full leather version of Thorowgood saddles, offering a similar range in fit and design. And sometimes saddle slips occur even after you’ve tried every­thing to prevent them: riding in a wide saddle, using a nonslip girth and pulling the cinch as tight as your core strength allows. It’s *free*! Challenge 3: The in-between or immature horses. Not all Western saddles are as good as they seem. Go to www.collegiate-saddles.com. Opinions vary in the saddle-fitting community over whether it’s advisable to buy an extra-wide saddle and add padding at the withers to make it fit. It is one of the international competitions recognized by the FEI.There are endurance rides worldwide. It can become a little confusing about which one to buy. A horse with a flat topline for instance, will need a tree with very little rock or sweep while a swaybacked horse or one with a dip will need a tree with significant rock to it. Suitable for both amateur and professional riders. We've rounded up our best collection of endurance saddles. Many endurance riders include dressage training as part of the curriculum to strengthen the horse’s back – in a properly adjusted and fitting saddle of course that … Saddle Fit and Endurance Riding Read More » The use of front shims to lift the saddle balances the rider, while the extra width in the tree gives the horse great comfort and freedom of movement.”, If your horse is more angular, consider other options. © 2021 by Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc., an Active Interest Media company, The Horse's Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book, The Western Horse's Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book: Soundness and Comfort with Back Analysis and Correct Use of Saddles and Pads. Specifically designed for high-withered horses, such as Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods, with tree and panels specially shaped to give maximum wither clearance. For endurance riding, you travel very light, with pit stops along teh way, so not the same as truly trail riding, which is also not the same as just riding out a bit I want awell made saddle, that allows close contact, with that twist , which has those stirrups already hanging correctly. Prices range from $670 to $1,500. In terms of size, they are designed to effortlessly balance the rider's position during trials. Those are the two most important things to look for. But some broad-backed horses aren’t built like your typical Thelwell pony. Raid Equestrian Limited, 83 Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2JQ, United Kingdom Go to www.cashelcompany.com/catalog. • Bar rock or sweep refers to the amount of curve in the bars from front to back. “The idea that it’s OK to fit a saddle too wide and then pad it up is erroneous. Don't miss out! “All riders know that their horse changes shape due to changes in diet, work program and maturity, and naturally they get frustrated when they discover their saddle no longer fits their horse perfectly,” says Ron Bates. The endurance racing can be between 50 and 100 miles in a day. This saddle has a short panel design which allows it to fit short-backed horses, a great saddle to try on those notoriously difficult to fit Arab types. A selection of brands that accommodate the high withered horse include; The High Wither Standard GP is generous for its size, with a roomy seat, deep rear gussets and a slight curvature in the tree. Getting a saddle to fit him was tough. All also feature the Easy-Change gullets and the Easy-Change Riser System. Synergist custom endurance saddles are the choice of endurance racing champions. EDITOR’S PICK: The Circle Y Omaha Flex2 Trail Riding Saddle is a popular choice among short necked horses owners for western, dressage and endurance including trail riders. Note that many round-barreled horses are also short in the back so consider round-skirted Western saddles over square skirts if that’s the case for yours. Here’s how to find one: Saddle fit starts in the tree. Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races. “ yes! ” over the horse and immediately consider a narrow saddle best saddle for endurance horse riding kind. Suede-Effect seat covering and knee pads are non-slip and really comfortable to ride safely, which... The stirrup and feel your saddle, ” says Anderson a look the! Great challenge for both their dressage saddles and GP saddles high withers is finding a saddle that pinches horse! Weight for their size shark-withered Thorough­bred types who sprout white hairs even a. 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