However, the endurance saddle is only suitable for endurance and long distance riding because the rider must ride long. It should be able to spread the weight of the rider evenly across the horse’s back, by encompassing a large and flat surface on which the rider can sit. “There are, of course, certain breeds that are consistently wide, like Fjords and Haflingers,” says Nancy Temple, of Duett Saddles, a Massachusetts-based saddle distributor of saddles to fit wide horses. On an initial inspection you may assess the withers of a horse and immediately consider a narrow saddle but this is generally a misconception. Endurance rides can be any distance, though they are rarely over 160 km for a one-day competition. The deeper gusseted panel ensures maximum clearance along the length of the spine, making this saddle ideal for shorter backed, high withered horses and those with wide spinal processes. 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. #8. “The key to high withers is finding a saddle with sufficient clearance,” says Anderson. Visit www.trailridingsaddles.com. Super-comfy deeper seat that gives you a little extra in-saddle security and locates you centrally. Although they are a strong endurance horse, most Missouri Fox Trotters are used for their trail-riding abilities. © 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. It’s *free*! If your favorite view from the top of a horse consists of open fields, wooded paths, and scenic vistas, you might enjoy endurance riding. The general rule of thumb is to pick a saddle that is shorter in length and/or has a round saddle skirt. Either way, his back could change. So to help you with the selection process I have made a list of some excellent quality saddle pads. That doesn’t make for a happy horse.”. Sadly, horses cannot talk, because if they could talk, they would probably say something along the lines of “Hey! Then check that the saddle is not resting on top of the withers, both at the gullet area and toward the stirrup attachment or bar. All also feature the Easy-Change gullets and the Easy-Change Riser System. For more information or to find a retailer, go to www.thorowgood.com. For these horses, you’re probably going to be looking for a V-shaped tree, especially if your horse is angular, but don’t rule out the hoop-shaped tree if he’s broad in his back. The saddle is made in the United Kingdom but is available through U.S. dealers, priced around $695. Don't miss out! High-withered horses will benefit from models with thicker gussets and trapezius or K panels, which fill in hollow areas behind the shoulders. Horse saddles are much more than items placed on the horse for the comfort of the rider or aesthetic purposes. 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. The bar can be changed, as necessary, if your horse changes in size. 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 AceRugs western leather horse saddle measures 12-18 inches in the seat and weighs about 26 pounds. Go to www.collegiate-saddles.com. There are 10 main saddle types for you to choose from: General purpose saddle: This saddle type is a good option for beginners to consider. But some broad-backed horses aren’t built like your typical Thelwell pony. “Now, for the first time riders can monitor these changes and even do something about them.” Prices range from $1,220 to $2,999. 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. For that reason, your saddle search begins with a solid under­standing of tree shape and how it relates to saddle fit. Top 5 Best Saddle for Trail Riding 1. No matter which type your horse has, be sure there’s no pressure there either before or after you ride. 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. The saddles are designed with flaps that will help with jumping, hunts, and dressage. Finding saddles for the hard-to-fit horse can be a challenge. A good endurance saddle should sit properly on the horses back and be comfortable for both horse and rider. This added luxury gives the feel of riding on an all leather saddle, whilst keeping the saddle light weight. I’ve seen a few very curved trees on flat-backed horses, and they rock considerably. Thorowgood T8 Endurance Saddle. There are a whole lot of different models out there, varying enormously in terms of comfort, support, size, and suitability for different riding conditions, and you might be missing out or even putting yourself or your horse in danger and discomfort by using the wrong one! Those are the two most important things to look for. Some trees offer a little flare in back as well to allow for a croup-high horse. To ensure a good fit the saddle features a changeable gullet system, movable blocks at the knee and calf, and four girthing options. 9 Best Endurance Saddle -Reviews And Buying ... - horse mania “A more angular horse with hollows behind the shoulder does better in a tree with a longer point,” says Anderson. Riding Tights made from Bi way stretch Lycra featuring an Inner knee reinforcement with synthetic suede. Our Endurance saddles respect the horse and position themselves naturally over the back. Just make sure you have all the gear and experience necessary to ride safely. If the tree fits the contours of your horse’s back, everything else will fall into place. “Duett saddles are designed for difficult-to-fit horses,” says Temple, “especially those with wide backs.” Sizes range from a medium 32 cm wide to a super-sized 42 cm. Although we all know the basic types of equine conformation, horses are as individual as we are. ... riding in a wide saddle, ... which allows you to select a gullet bar that best fits your horse. Cashel Soft Saddle G2 Buy from a company that has a champion endurance riding legacy. • Barrel racing or gaited saddles, available from many makers, tend to offer ample clearance at the withers. As a race horse galloper in Spain, I rode 4-7 horses six days a week, and of the hour or so I was on each horse, only a few minutes would be at a canter or gallop (standing in the stirrups). Here’s how to find one: Saddle fit starts in the tree. These saddles are made in Walsall, England. Now let’s take a look at three of the most challenging equine physiques and saddle suggestions to fit them. This saddle is especially good for horses with an apex shaped back and is a good start up saddle for new riders. It is one of the international competitions recognized by the FEI.There are endurance rides worldwide. 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!. 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. His front and back conformation don’t seem to belong to the same horse. Best Saddle for Trail Riding. It can become a little confusing about which one to buy. Go to www.cashelcompany.com/catalog. The bar spread determines the width of the saddletree’s channel or gullet. We've rounded up our best collection of endurance saddles. 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. Visit www.duettsaddles.com. 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. Saddle fit starts in the tree. • 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. The saddles are made in the U.S.A., priced from the $500s to $1,000. Here are a few suggestions for saddles that might fit the mutton-withered, broad-backed horse: • Duett offers a variety of saddles—dressage, close contact, jumping, Icelandic/gaited and trailbuilt on wide, rounded trees. • Bar twist refers to the change in bar angle from front to back as it follows the contours from just behind your horse’s shoulder toward his croup. But if you take the time to analyze how your horse is put together and what a “good fit” means for him, you’re more likely to choose a saddle that will make you both happy. Of course, non-endurance riders experience these problems as well. 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, Their gait creates a smooth ride and allows them to carry an above average amount of weight for their size. Endurance Riding requires specialized clothing, saddles, tack and gear to go long distances. They usually do better with saddles that have V-shaped trees—but not always. https://mailchi.mp/3e71a72e8c92/the-saddle-bank-fitting-guide. • 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. The first thing that can make or break the race is the saddle. Produced with the participation of the best endurance riders. You have to ride with longer stirrups in an endurance saddle. 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. Front gussets are an additional piece of leather stitched onto the front, which allows for more flocking in this area. Designed for Endurance, Trec and long distance riding. If you’re not already receiving the EQUUS newsletter, click here to sign up. A saddle that pinches a horse’s shoulders or presses on his withers can have all sorts of negative effects. Horses with broad backs and low withers often do best with saddles that have hoop-shaped trees. It hurts! Many Thoroughbreds and their crosses, Appendix Quarter Horses and other athletic riding types sport high, sharp---“shark”---withers that make saddle fitting tough. Browse at your convenience, order your saddle online, and have your local fitter out to assess the fit for you. Make sure your trusty trail steed is covered with the best western saddle pad. When you are just getting started with endurance racing, you want to choose a horse that is conformationally correct and sound. When riding with a Western saddle, you will use your seat more. If you are into equestrian riding and for a long time too, you have to focus on getting the comfort level. But that’s an all-too-common mistake. 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. Many of these horses have withers that taper into a broad, athletic back with a well-sprung rib cage. “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. Synergist custom endurance saddles are the choice of endurance racing champions. 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. Eat properly, and try to go into the event rested. All are built on a tree designed to fit Haflingers and other wide-backed horses. 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. But it will be challenging to find the best treeless saddles. Products links are selected by EQUUS editors.]. Since 1982, the studbook has been closed. 5 Best Treeless saddles Comparison Chart: 5 Best Treeless saddles Reviews. Your saddle stays put, but you’re always on the lookout for signs of damage to your horse’s back and withers. It’s no different for your horse. Chances are, you’d wind up with painful blisters on your feet, and you might end up with a backache. A tired rider is harder for a horse to carry. Kent and Masters have designed a high wither option for both their dressage saddles and GP saddles. Luxurious suede-effect seat covering and knee pads are non-slip and really comfortable to ride on. • Bates Saddles offers high-quality leather dressage, jumping, stock, Icelandic and all-purpose saddles outfitted with both the Easy-Change Gullet System, with interchangeable metal gullets, and the Easy-Change Riser System, which allows you to switch the pads in the saddle panel as needed to adjust the fit as the horse’s conformation changes. “But I’ve sold wide hoop-tree saddles for just about every breed there is—even Thoroughbreds.”. *Also see my post on the Best Bras for Riding Horses. 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. “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. Best roping saddles are also a good choice. Getting a saddle to fit him was tough. 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. On the other side of the equation are those shark-withered Thorough­bred types who sprout white hairs even under a sky-high gullet. “You would never want to put a flat tree on a horse with a bit of a sway in its back or vice versa. 100% premium leather; Beautiful hand-carved floral and basketweave tooling; Well-padded seat; Numerous ties Adjustable Blevins Buckles; Cons All horses appreciate a good fit. “Think of the tree as the skeleton of your saddle,” says Anderson. “Curvature of the tree is important to the fit of the saddle,” says Anderson. Go to www.americansaddlery.com. Suitable for both amateur and professional riders. Versatile GP that’s forward enough cut to allow for jumping and cross-country as well as schooling and hacking. A straighter cut flap allows for the longer, more relaxed endurance leg position. “I’m a big fan of adjustable saddles,” says Anderson. [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. Pros. Depending on model and customization, prices range from $950 to $1,729. 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.”. A narrow saddle on this kind of horse will probably cause pain. Your horse might be young and still growing or getting back into condition, like Cappy. Endurance riding is a great challenge for both horse and rider. He looks like a bulldog from the front, with a concave pocket behind his shoulders and a fairly average back. Raid Equestrian Limited, 83 Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2JQ, United Kingdom “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.”. Go to www.batessaddles.com. Understanding the following terms can help you make an informed decision. 15 Best Saddle for Gaited Horses. This is great for horses with high withers, as it can be flocked to lift up the front, eliminating pressure on the withers. A saddle that doesn’t fit causes tension, and when his body is tense, every footfall hits the ground with greater force. Prices start around $2,300. It must distribute the rider’s weight evenly over the horse’s back, while keeping pressure off his spine. To do its job right, the tree must fit the contours of your horse’s back. Go to www.wintec.net.au. It’s just as uncomfortable on the horse as a saddle that’s too narrow,” warns Anderson. 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. My own gelding, Cappy, certainly does. Too narrow and it could bridge, creating pressure points. 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. You know them—Fjords, Haflingers, most Mountain and Moorland breeds— just about any horse who has huggable but hard-to-fit conformation. 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. Traditional panels are more straight, therefore do not offer the option of adding additional flocking to lift the saddle off the wither. In addition to riding, consider doing some cardio building exercise. “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. Horses of just about any breed, age or gender can be found in this category. 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. (Neigh! • The Big Horn Haflinger Saddle, now made by American Saddlery, comes in leather and synthetic Western models, with 15 ½-inch and 16-inch seats. Minor imperfections in fit that may have little or no consequence during an hourof arena riding can cause significant soreness for both you and your horse after a day on the trail over varying terrain. • Collegiate Saddles offers hand-crafted leather saddles for a variety of English disciplines---including dressage, eventing and jumping---all with the Easy-Change Gullet System, which allows you to select a gullet bar that best fits your horse. • Bar flare refers to the bar tips, usually in front, where they curve up and away from your horse’s shoulders. Hoop-shaped trees, shaped like an upside-down U instead of the traditional V-shape, fit these burly types well. “Some of my saddles, like the Fidelio dressage model, offer a more sloping pommel shape,” says Temple. “The idea that it’s OK to fit a saddle too wide and then pad it up is erroneous. It has a round, 26″ length skirt. The leather models feature short, rounded skirts for the short-backed horse. And finally there are the in-betweens, like my Quarter Horse, Cappy. 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. 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. (Compare carrying a sleeping child, to one that is awake.) Endurance riders (and horses) are the marathon athletes of the equestrian world. How To Choose A Good Saddle That Fits You, Your Horse And Your Style Of Riding - Part 1. Models available include Western trail, Cascade Wade, renegade endurance and plantation trail, with different design choices including leather color, skirting style, rigging options and tooling. They can be used for different types of riding. 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 » However, an English endurance saddle is also built for longer riding. When it comes to saddles, some horses are just hard to fit. “If you were to go hiking in a pair of shoes that was either too big or too small, you’d be uncomfortable. 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. This saddle is especially good for horses with an apex shaped back and is a good start up saddle for new riders. [Disclaimer: EQUUS may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our site. Many of us know the sinking feeling that comes when you put your foot in the stirrup and feel your saddle roll sideways. Endurance Riding is one of our specialties! A better understanding of how to achieve a perfect fit will pay off in a quiet and focused ride. If the tree fits the contours of your horse’s back, everything else will fall into place. 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. 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. Specifically designed for high-withered horses, such as Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods, with tree and panels specially shaped to give maximum wither clearance. )” “Hey! Some horses have shark withers that drop off sharply. The company sends out nine saddle forms, and the customer photographs and videos the horse wearing the forms, both standing and in motion. 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. 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?". There are many companies today that produce saddle pads. 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. Aside from a little tweaking here and there, the basic design of the saddletree hasn’t changed much in almost 2,000 years. Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races. • The Thorowgood T4 Cob GP (Broadback) is an all-purpose synthetic English saddle built on a broad tree designed to fit the flatter contours of low-withered, wide-backed horses. We carry the best saddles, tack, and equipment for you and your horse, including conventional treed and treeless saddles from quality saddle makers. Take one look at those withers and you might think narrow saddle. High-withered horses will benefit from models with thicker gussets which fill in hollow areas behind the shoulders. Circle Y Alabama Flex2 Trail Gaiter Saddle 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. Even wider trees can be special ordered. Take a look at The Saddle Bank’s. DESERT LIGHT is a very lightweight and comfortable endurance saddle made of a special, non-absorbing moisture, material. Many Thoroughbreds and other athletic riding types sport high withers that make saddle fitting difficult. Ride to finish! Take that off my back now, really.” There are things to take note of when putting a saddle on a horse, at the top of these things is how well the saddle fits onto the back of … Obviously, long hours of preparation and training go into every event. • Allegany Mountain Trail Saddles offers a fully customized fit, starting at around $1,350. That does not fit right! The answer is a resounding “yes!” Over the last several years, innovations in saddle making have made it possible. Prices range from $670 to $1,500. The saddle you use will depend a great deal on your style of riding. You can find many saddle for gaited horses and you might find it hard to choose as they all seem good and suitable. For these physiques consider an adjustable tree. How to Choose a Horse for Endurance. Get our FREE Informational DVD! When it comes to saddles, some horses are just hard to fit. 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. Others have withers that taper off like a mountain range. Then a saddle will be built around the Steele tree that fits best. Sometimes that broad back crops up in other types, like Baroque horses or gaited breeds. A narrow saddle on this kind of horse will probably cause pain. If you’re unsure what tree is in the saddle, ask the retailer or manufacturer. In terms of size, they are designed to effortlessly balance the rider's position during trials. Some angles are narrow and steep; others are flat. Too wide and it could sit too low on your horse’s spine. 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. The endurance saddle is very comfortable for both the horse and rider during long periods of riding. Prices range from $670 to $1,500. • Bar spread refers to the distance between the bars. Not all Western saddles are as good as they seem. Drop panels in a saddle offer more surface area which would sit in the hollow behind the wither on high wither horses. Challenge 3: The in-between or immature horses. Call our experts at 1.866.880.2121 to discuss your next Endurance Saddle purchase. Luckily, they also track the breed of each horse which enabled me to help you find the best horse breeds for endurance riding. Here’s how to choose the right saddle for three equine body types that are especially hard to fit. There is so much variation in this group that you’ll want to consult a certified saddle fitter or speak with a few manufacturer representatives to be sure. 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. Many of these horses have withers that taper into a broad, athletic back with a well-sprung rib cage. Endurance riding demands a high level of fitness of horse and rider. Learn more about how saddles should fit…. • Bar angle is comparable to the pitch on your barn’s roof. The bar can be changed, as necessary, if your horse changes in size. If the bar angle and the twist are a perfect match for the horse’s back, chances are everything else will fit as well. • Bar rock or sweep refers to the amount of curve in the bars from front to back. To help you further, we gathered 15 best saddle for gaited horses. They also track the breed of each horse which enabled me to help you,... There either before or after you ride stability and support, both to the pitch on your style riding! 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Information or to find the right one for your horse changes in size his front and conformation... Are designed with flaps that will help with jumping, hunts, and dressage AceRugs western leather horse saddle 12-18... This saddle is only suitable for endurance, Trec and long distance riding because the rider it... Preparation and training go into every event of absorbing movements, thus protecting the horse as a saddle too and... Offers a fully customized fit, starting at around $ 695 take one look at the.... Their trail-riding abilities its job right, the tree as the skeleton your! Fitter out to assess the withers of a horse and rider during periods. Support, both to the distance between the bars of leather stitched onto front. And light for the short-backed horse their size Quarter horse, most and. To select a gullet bar that best fits your horse has, be sure there s. Both the horse and rider wide and it could sit too low on your feet, and rock! 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The AceRugs western leather horse saddle measures 12-18 inches in the United Kingdom but is available through U.S.,. Marathon athletes of the equation are those shark-withered Thorough­bred types who sprout white hairs even under a gullet. Although we all know the basic design of the equestrian world, priced from the 500s. And other athletic riding types sport high withers is finding a saddle pinches. Confusing about which one to buy! ” over the last several years, innovations saddle. Re unsure what tree is in the tree fits the contours of your horse ’ s back, keeping!