Finding the Perfect Horse Saddle for You and Your Horse

 Morning Homestead's Top Picks for a Comfortable, Cheap Horse Saddle

A comfortable horse saddle can mean all the difference in the world for a relaxed horse, a happy rider, and a fun and productive trail ride. And it doesn't have to break the bank either.

 

While there are plenty of expensive saddles on the marketplace, there is a massive selection of quality but cheap horse saddles that do the job well.

 

It all comes down to properly fitting the saddle for horse and rider.

 

The Basics for Fitting a Horse Saddle

When it comes to fitting a comfortable horse saddle, a knowledgeable equestrian always starts with the horse. After all, your horse is carrying you, not the other way around.

 

Have you ever gone for a 10-mile hike wearing boots that pinched your toes, rubbed your heels and were altogether horrible? Think about how miserable that felt and how relieved you were when you could finally take those torture devices off. And then, what did you think about going for another hike a few days later wearing the same horrible boots?

 

That is exactly how your horse feels when fitted with an uncomfortable saddle. 

 

Signs Your Current Horse Saddle Doesn't Fit

Horses can't talk, so it's up to us to pay attention and pick up on the cues they do give us. 

When it comes to an improperly fitting horse saddle watch for the following signs:

 

• Your horse acts angry when you saddle it. They put their ears back and flick their tail, maybe even bite at the saddle or girth. Sometimes they will arch their back, stomp their heels, and bloat when you tighten the girth. That is a horse not looking forward to their saddle!
• A lack of performance, the horse isn't 'willing,' lacks suppleness, and looseness in their movements. Maybe even feel tight and tend to crow-hop. May be reluctant to move forward due to pinching on their withers.
• Uneven sweat stains under the saddle pad.
• Swelling or lumps along the back. This is an indication of bruising from an improperly fitted saddle.
• Hair rubbed off in the saddle area. Horses that have had to bear the burden of a poorly fitting saddle may develop 'white spots' on their withers from their hair being repeatedly rubbed off.
• The seat rises in the back slips to the side or shows gaps.

As you can see, a poorly fitting saddle can quickly cause a lot of problems. If you are having behavioral issues, one of the first things to do is looking at your saddle (and bridle) fit before moving on to other possible causes.

 

Parts of a Horse Saddle

 

Before we can properly fit your horse for a new saddle, you must understand its parts.

 

The Gullet

• This is the tunnel under the fork of the saddle that sits over the horse's withers. It holds the bars of the saddle together and determines how it will fit the horse. If the angle is too broad and the gullet too short for the horse's natural shape, the saddle will sit too low on the withers and rub. If the gullet is too tall and the angle too narrow, the horse will be pinched across the shoulders.  

 

The Seat

• The seat is where the rider sits, side, and slope are what is most important. For trail riding, most riders prefer a more sloped seat because it sits you more comfortably. However, if you are roping or cutting, the rider is moving around and will want a flatter seat. How much cushioning and the seat material itself can make a difference in personnel preference.

 

There are many more parts to a saddle, but they aren't as important when it comes to getting a well-fitting saddle. They can be important for other reasons, however. Those parts include:

 

• The Swell – Front of the saddle holding the two parts together. Also known as the saddle fork or pommel.
• The Cantle – The back of the saddle seat. It provides a backrest and support, keeping the rider in the saddle. A higher cantle is helpful for inexperienced riders.
• The Rigging – Simply how the cinch strap attaches to hold the saddle in place. English and Western saddles have different rigging styles.
• The Fenders - A piece of leather that connects the stirrups to the side of a saddle. English saddles have very short (to almost no) fenders.
• The Stirrups – What your foot rests in. 

Take Your Time Getting the Right Horse Saddle

It can take trying out several horse saddles before you settle on the perfect one for your horse (and you). Remember, it's just like finding those perfect pair of hiking boots, you'll probably have to try out several to find the pair that works for you.

 

But because it is expensive to purchase and send back many saddles, it helps to get proper measurements and narrow down your needs first. Here are the essential measurements to take before ordering your saddle.

 

Horse Measurements

 

Measuring your Horses Withers for a New Horse Saddle

Horses withers can be high and narrow, flat and wide, or something in between. So, measuring withers is essential to fitting your new saddles.

 

An easy way to measure your horse's withers is to use a piece of wire that is 16" long (bendable tracing wire or a wire hanger works excellent). Bend it over the horse's withers, starting at about 2" behind the horse’s shoulder blades. Bend the wire, so it lays over the withers and against the horse's skin.

 

Carefully remove the wire, preserving the shape. Then lay that wire onto a piece of cardboard or paper and trace the shape and cut it out. Each saddle comes with a specific wither and gullet measurement, you can now measure the width by measuring how wide those points are in your traced pattern.

 

 Now, measure the distance at 3" down from the top point of the triangle. This gives you your gullet measurement. The last measurement you need is the distance between the two outer edges at the bottom of your triangle shape. This measurement represents the bar width.

 

 

Measuring the Length of Your Horse's Back to Fit a New Saddle

You also want to make sure your saddle won't be too long for your horses back. Most saddles are designed to fit an 'average' back length, but some horses have a shorter back and require individual dimensions.

 

To measure your horses back, start at the withers and measure to the last rib bone. This will be the maximum length of your horses back, so just make sure the total length of the saddle you order isn't longer than that, and it should fit fine.

 

Human Measurements

 

Although the horse always comes first, the saddle also needs to fit the rider. There is one primary measurement to consider — weight!

 

Weight Determines Saddle Seat Size

 

Not surprisingly, a smaller person needs a smaller seat and a larger person needs a larger seat. 

 

Seat size varies slightly depending on if you are purchasing an English or Western saddle. English saddles tend to be smaller seated by nature, so a heavier person needs an English saddle with a bigger seat.

 

           Western Saddle Weight to Seat Chart

• 90 to 120 lbs 15" Saddle Seat
• 131 to 190 lbs 16" Saddle Seat
• 190 to 240 lbs 17" Saddle Seat
• 240 plus lbs 18" Saddle Seat

 

English Saddle Weight to Seat Chart

• 90 lbs 15" Saddle Seat
• 90 to 130 lbs 16" Saddle Seat
• 131 to 175 lbs 17" Saddle Seat
• 176 to 226 lbs 18" Saddle Seat
• 225 plus lbs 19" Saddle Seat

 

You've Selected a Horse Saddle to Try Out, What Next?

 

Try out your new saddle first without a saddle pad to get an accurate look at how it fits (all saddles will settle when riding, so best to look without the pad to start).

 

The saddle's front panels should contour to the shoulders well, making continuous contact with at least three or even four fingers between the pommel and the withers. You want to see a 'tunnel' down the horses back. If you don't see one, the the saddle is sitting too flat on your horse's back.

 

Now, look at the saddle from the side. Imagine a straight line between the pommel to the cantle; the seat should be level.

 

Next, check the channel or gullet clearance. Take the saddle off and turn it over. The space between the two panels is the gullet. The saddle's gullet should completely clear your horse's spine and the soft tissue running along with it. Put the saddle back on your horse, standing behind your horse; make sure you can see the light coming through the gullet.

 

Check that the panels fit evenly all along the horse's back. Sometimes the panels will sit on the horses back at the front and back, but not in the middle.

 

Finally, cinch up, mount, and ride. Does the saddle feel stable? Slipping from side to side is a sign that your saddle is sitting too flat on your horse's back.  

 

The saddle should feel level and balanced beneath you and you shouldn't feel like you are struggling to sit up straight. Your horse should respond comfortably and move out freely.

 

On a final note, make sure to check those sweat marks when you remove the saddle, always a clue to a poor-fitting saddle!

 

Our Picks for Perfectly Fitting Cheap Horse Saddles

Now that you know what to look for and how to fit your horse saddle, you can apply it to select a great fitting, but cheap horse saddle. As you have learned, it isn't the price that determines how well your saddle will fit, but everything else.

 

We have featured here Morning Homestead's favorite picks for cheap horse saddles. Before you purchase anything, however, make sure to check each saddle's measurements against your horse!

 

 

See Also:

·      The 5 Best Bareback Pads For Horses & The Rider: 2019 Review & Guide

·      The 5 Best Saddle Pads For Trail Riding: Guide and Review [2019]

·      Best Half Chaps and Why Wear Them? Unbiased Guide & Reviews [2019]

 

Contents [show]

 

The Following are the Most Comfortable Saddles for Horses and Riders that Enjoy Hitting the Trails

 

Acerugs Western Horse Saddle 

 

With an extra-soft padded seat and 100 percent Cordura material, this saddle is comfortable and durable for rider and horse. It features a double reinforced fiberglass tree and soft fleece underside eliminating pressure points.

Order Here

Buy from Amazon

 

Wintec Full Quarter Western Saddle

Next is the Wintec Wide Western Trail Saddle. This item has full quarter bars for comfort, quality, and excellent fit.

This saddle is low maintenance since all you need to use to keep it clean is soap and water. Thanks to its sturdy, yet soft, material, the suede leather seat supplies extra comfort and grip. Durable construction and material allow this saddle not to lose its fit due to wear and tear.

 

Buy from Amazon

Beautiful Western Pleasure Trail Barrel Racing Show Horse Saddle

This item is the second saddle from the leading saddle maker, AceRugs. The Western Pleasure Saddle is perfect for whatever reason you and your horse require comfort. The seat is ideal for trail rides, training, or a casual stroll around the fields.

Thanks to its ultra-padded seat and teal synthetic suede material, you will turn heads all while still being in comfort for the entire journey. The following are a few features that give this saddle a thumbs-up:

 

Buy from Amazon

 

Australian Outrider Collection Stock Poley Saddle with Horn

 

Australian saddles are preferred by many riders who like to combine the less restrictive nature of an English saddle with the more working versatility of a traditional western saddle. They are fantastic saddles for long trail rides.

 

This saddle features an Air Tunnel comfort tree for your horse's withers and reinforced knee pads, a deep seat and smooth, supple leather.

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AceRugs Premium Black Leather English All Purpose Jumping Horse Saddle

 

For the English riders that might enjoy a little jumping on their trail rides, this AceRug's English saddle is a fantastic, affordable all-purpose saddle with enough substance to provide a comfortable ride.

 

With a deep-padded leather seat and padded knee rolls, this saddle offers a high cantle and longer flats, making it suitable for equitation work—a great all-purpose English saddle.

 

This saddle comes with an entire tack package including a girth, stirrup leathers, stirrups, bridle and reins for the full riding package.

 

 

 

Buy Now

 

Mustang Soft Ride Saddle

 

For the rider that prefers a soft seat, this Mustang Soft Ride Saddle is the top line. The saddle conformation provides the perfect support for a ride in the fields or on the trails. For an added feature, the saddle has a bareback pad that is soft and shock absorbent.

The saddle's design improves the rider's balance and has a high-rise cantle to add protection and hip support. The saddle comfortably distributes the rider's weight over the horse, easing pressure on the horse's back.

For softness and durability, this saddle is perfect for the rider who enjoys a closer feel. Click here to take a look at its beauty and to order yours today:

 

Buy from Amazon

 

There are the six most comfortable saddles for both horse and rider. You choose the right one for you.

 

As we have learned, the horse carries the entire load on its withers and spine, no matter why you are riding and no matter how far. There are many pressure points on the most vital area of your horse: its backbone. [1]

 

FAQs:

Q: How important is having the proper saddle pad?

A: The padding is just as vital as buying the right saddle. Click here to read about the right saddle pad.

Q: If I start with a young horse, how often should I adjust saddles?

A: Be sure to monitor the growth of your horse. As you know, horses grow rather fast, and you must keep an eye on how the saddle fits over time and exchange as the horse develops.

Saddle Shops Near me 

In Conclusion

Choosing the right saddle for you and your horse is a combination of proper fit, function, and comfort. If the horse is not considered in the fitting process, the horse's spine and legs can suffer if the animal has to work while being in pain.

 

Do your homework before you buy a saddle. If you are still unsure, seek the help of a professional. Thank you for reading our article.

 

Are you on a quest to find one of the most comfortable saddles? Share your knowledge and experiences with us below by leaving a comment. We would love to hear from you.

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