Pony Riding Saddles Your -Guide to the 4 Basic Types

Horse riding saddles, which is also called equestrian saddles, are seats attached on the horse’s back to support the rider. Riders use saddles for security and comfort when riding a pony. Before, saddles are just made of some kind of padding or protection secured by a surcingle. Today, saddles have more intricate designs.

pony riding saddles have many various styles such as English saddles, Stock saddles, military saddles, Asian saddles and endurance saddles. The structures of horse riding saddles differ as their utilities. Meaning, there’s a specific saddle for use in specific horse riding discipline.

horse riding saddles have different structures as each has different uses. Among them are the four basic types which are the dressage saddle, hunt seat saddle, cutback saddle and the Western saddle.

A dressage saddle is a British saddle that is utilised by dressage riders who perform discipline that don’t involve jumping. For that reason, the saddle is designed with a deep seat to allow the rider to sit nicely and relaxed. It has long stirrups, long and straight down saddle flaps, a high cantle and a high pommel. In this type of saddle, padding is smaller.

A hunt seat saddle is also a variety of English saddle but its structure is sort of opposite to that of the dressage saddle. This is so because hunt seat saddle is used in disciplines that involve jumping. This saddle is designed with a flat seat, short stirrups, low cantle, low pommel and knee rolls with padding. What makes it so different from others is its forward-cut flap.

Also known as jumping saddle, forward seat and close contact saddle, hunt seat saddle is very popular. Riders use hunt seat saddle in show jumping, hunt seat equitation, fox hunting as well as in stadium and cross-country phases of eventing.

Cutback saddle is also a preferred kind of English saddle that’s used for saddle seat riding. Saddle seat riding is a horseback riding that is intended to show off the high trotting action of a certain horse breed. It has longer and flatter seat, wide front-to-back flaps, cut back pommel and long stirrups. This saddle is AKA saddle seat saddle, Park or Lane Fox.

Western saddle, commonly known as cowboy saddle, is a popular saddle especially in the western part of US. It is employed for Western riding and on working horses on cattle ranches. This saddle differs from other saddles as it is designed with a horn where riders tie or dally a cow.

Western saddles have deep seats, high cantles and are designed with heavy and important trees. Unlike English saddles, they have no padding between the trees and the external leather and fleece skirting. Examples of Western saddles are cutting saddle, roping saddle, endurance saddle, trail saddle, equitation saddle and barrel racing saddle.