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Horse saddles
The type of saddle you need depends on what type of horse you have and what kind of things you do with it. A saddle has to fit the horse properly and make the rider feel comfortable and secure. Saddles of all types have the primary function of optimising and stabilising the rider’s seat. The most commonly used type of saddle in our part of the world is the English saddle. The variations of the English saddle are the dressage saddle, the jumping saddle and the GP (general-purpose) saddle. There are also many exotic saddle types, such as the western saddle, the Spanish saddle, which is also called the Iberian saddle, the racing saddle and the Icelandic saddle. These saddles differ in terms of the materials that they are made of and, most of all, in terms of their design – e.g. flap length – to ensure that the rider’s leg is correctly positioned and his seat optimised for his equestrian discipline.
Dressage saddles have long and straight-cut flaps to give the rider a deeper seat, while the jumping saddle has very short and forward-cut flaps. Padded knee rolls provide the rider with additional security in the knee area over jumps. The all-purpose saddle is a combination of the jumping and dressage saddle. It has knee rolls to give the rider a secure seat when jumping, but also permits a medium-deep seat for dressage. The western saddle is in far less widespread use in Europe than the English saddle. Its history and purpose was to be a working tool for gauchos or cowboys that minimised discomfort to both the rider and the horse. Western saddles are usually much more expensive than English saddles because of their solid design and the craftsmanship that goes into making them. However, they are so robust that they give the rider many years of enjoyment. Non-cowboys also appreciate the western saddle because it is comfortable and provides a secure seat, especially on long hacks or horseback treks. One of the western saddle’s most eye-catching features is the solid metal stirrups and the saddle horn, which is used to hold the lasso. The Iberian saddle is even rarer than the western saddle in our part of the world. It was specifically designed for the Spanish school of riding. Another relatively rare saddle is the Icelandic saddle, which was developed for the Icelandic horses’ additional paces of tölt and pass. Racing saddles are only used by jockeys and are of no significance for hobby riders. As you can see, the world of saddles is a complex one. If you have any questions about choosing a saddle or the right accessories, horze.de will be happy to help you. You can count on receiving competent advice from both our online shop and our Horze stores. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
