| For the most part there are two distinct types of | | | | saddle and the endurance saddle are a combination of |
| popular saddles, English and western. In reality there | | | | features of both the English and western styles. They |
| are distinctions within these two groups, especially in | | | | are becoming more popular with both groups of riders |
| the English saddles, plus there are endurance saddles | | | | as general work and practice saddles since they are |
| and Australian saddle styles. The two general saddle | | | | durable, strong yet light weight and practical. |
| styles of English and western are impossible to | | | | Regardless of what type of saddle you are buying it is |
| mistake, and are designed to best suit the particular | | | | important to make sure that it fits the horse correctly. |
| demands of the different riding styles. | | | | Poorly fitting saddles will result in saddle sores for the |
| Western saddles have one basic style with many | | | | horse and a dislike of being ridden. Generally measuring |
| different shape and size variations within that general | | | | the widest part of the saddle area on the horse's back |
| form. The western saddle is distinctive with a horn and | | | | and ensuring the inside measurement of the saddle |
| high fork on the front of the saddle, a deep seat in the | | | | you are buying is at least this large will ensure a close |
| saddle and a low to high cantle making up the back of | | | | fit, but it is always best to have the opportunity to try it |
| the seat. The western saddle also has a distinctive | | | | on the horse. If you are buying a new saddle or a used |
| saddle skirt as well as wide and long stirrups and | | | | saddle bring your horse or make sure it can be |
| fenders, often which are very ornate and carved. | | | | exchanged if it doesn't fit correctly. Experienced riders |
| English saddles are much lighter than western saddles | | | | recommend that you should be able to place three |
| and tend to be more simplistic in style. They have a | | | | fingers between the front of the saddle, the pommel, |
| much flatter seat, no noticeable fork and no horn, with | | | | and the horse's back to ensure a proper fit. If the |
| the front of the saddle being correctly known as the | | | | space is larger than this the saddle is too big, if it is less |
| pommel. The cantle at the back of the seat is rather | | | | the saddle is too small. |
| thin and may be low to high as with the western | | | | If the cinch is to small or does not reach around the |
| saddle. The sides of the saddle that replace the skirts | | | | horse's girth, simply buy a longer cinch. This has nothing |
| and fenders are known as the flaps, and they are | | | | to do with the fit across the back, which is the area |
| close to the horse's body. The stirrups are very | | | | where the pressure from the rider can really cause |
| minimal in styling with a thin stirrup leather connecting | | | | problems with a poorly fitted saddle. Always examine |
| them to the saddle seat. English saddles vary from | | | | your horse's back if he or she seems uncomfortable |
| hunt seat, the most common pleasure type of English | | | | under the saddle and look for any areas of rubbing or |
| saddle to dressage saddles and show saddles. | | | | irritation that can indicate the saddle is not correctly |
| Dressage and show saddles must meet certain | | | | fitted. |
| requirements to be used in competition. The Australian | | | | |