| iding is a very exciting and pleasurable thing to do. | | | | The western style of saddles was originally used |
| One of the most important pieces of equipment | | | | and designed for hard riding cowboys. With these |
| that is required for horse riding is the saddle. | | | | leather saddles the rider's weight is evenly |
| There are many different leather saddles that are | | | | distributed across the back of the horse and this |
| available. Due to the vast number of different | | | | allows both the rider and the horse to be |
| saddles that are available, it is very important to | | | | comfortable whilst on long rides. |
| remember several things when choosing a saddle. | | | | The dressage style of leather saddle enables the |
| The first thing that needs to be done when | | | | rider's leg and the horse to have a lot of contact. |
| looking to get a leather saddle is that the desired | | | | The flaps on this style of leather saddle are cut |
| style of riding has to be identified. The style of | | | | straight and the flaps are narrow. These saddles |
| riding will in most cases be either Western or | | | | have a different cut compared to the English style |
| English. There are also specialty saddles for | | | | of saddle. |
| activities such as dressage, polo, racing and | | | | For horse riders that are very keen on jumping |
| jumping. | | | | there are hunt seat saddles. These saddles |
| Horse riding is a very exciting and pleasurable | | | | originally were designed to be used during fox |
| thing to do. One of the most important pieces of | | | | hunting and these are designed to give the rider a |
| equipment that is required for horse riding is the | | | | better position whilst jumping. |
| saddle. There are many different leather saddles | | | | Regardless of the type of activity that the rider |
| that are available. Due to the vast number of | | | | wishes to do, another thing that will need to be |
| different saddles that are available, it is very | | | | considered is the type of saddle that will be most |
| important to remember several things when | | | | suitable and which one will be most comfortable. |
| choosing a saddle. | | | | There is a wide range of leather saddles that are |
| The first thing that needs to be done when | | | | available. However, there is also a wide range of |
| looking to get a leather saddle is that the desired | | | | different styles of saddle. |
| style of riding has to be identified. The style of | | | | Leather saddles are one of the best-known styles |
| riding will in most cases be either Western or | | | | and these tend to be produced from high quality |
| English. There are also specialty saddles for | | | | leather. The good quality leather saddles are long |
| activities such as dressage, polo, racing and | | | | lasting and (if properly cared for) will last for |
| jumping. | | | | several years, if not a lifetime. |
| The English style of riding involves the rider holding | | | | When you are looking to get a saddle the most |
| onto the reigns, one in each hand. The way that | | | | important factors are comfort for both the horse |
| the reins are held tells the horse which way to | | | | and the rider. It is very important that the saddle |
| turn by the rider gently pulling on one of the reins | | | | fits properly because poorly fitted saddles can |
| as this applies gentle pressure to the mouth of | | | | cause bruising of the muscles in the back of the |
| the horse. | | | | horse. |
| The western style of riding involves the rider | | | | The size of leather saddles tends to be measured |
| holding both of the reins in one hand and they | | | | in inches and the measurement is taken from the |
| then tell the horse which way to turn by moving | | | | pommel to the cantle. When measuring for a |
| their weight or laying the reigns across the back | | | | leather saddle there should be between two and |
| of the horse. The western style saddle is bigger | | | | three inches of space between the rider and the |
| and a lot heavier than the English style of saddle. | | | | back of the saddle. |