To be able to truly enjoy the art of horseback riding, it is best to avoid the option of riding bare back, as this is not only rather uncomfortable, but it does not give you a lot of control, either. In fact, it didn’t take man long to understand how important some kind of saddle would be and we can go back as far as 700 BC to see the very earliest examples of equestrian saddles in action. Saddles were gradually developed over the ages, often in response to needs on the battlefield and as time went by the horse saddle became quite a sophisticated product.
The design of the saddle is based on what is called a tree, which is made of wood and is distinctively shaped to enable the rider to have as much support as possible. As time went by two distinct variations, known as the Western and the English, developed to herald what is today’s saddle.
English equestrian saddles are by far the most popular and always used in formal events or in a variety of different competitions. While somewhat similar in appearance, there are nevertheless a variety of different types, each of which should be used for a particular purpose. Specifically, dressage saddles differ from jumping saddles due to the design of the seat and the relevance of the pommels and cantles. Not many people know that the dressage saddle, even though it is a principal variation of the English, was in fact introduced by a French rider.
As it is important to have an element of freedom and the ability to jump at the right time, jumping saddles give less hindrance to the rider. The flaps and the front part of the saddle are meant to give support to the rider and help to pull off those difficult manoeuvres. Very little movement, if any, is allowed in dressage events and the cantles and pommels have been elevated to help hold the rider in place. There is more of a feeling of being “at one” with the horse when riding a dressage saddle.
Not surprisingly, horse saddles have grown up from a very distinctive design over the ages, but today we are able to use modern-day technology to assist in competitive equestrianism. Particularly popular among jockeys, wintec saddles have a quite revolutionary design and have proven to be much more comfortable for both horse and rider. Indeed, there are various design and system configurations that allow the saddle to change even as the horse does over the years, picking up on the changing, subtle, yet important performance level characteristics.
You have to make sure that you measure the animal correctly when you are choosing a saddle for your horse and this is not an easy proposition for newcomers. This is definitely not a case of “one-size-fits-all” and neither the rider nor the horse will be particularly happy with an ill fitting, “make do” attempt at saddle fitting. The saddle itself is a sophisticated product and based on a combination of high-quality materials. The selection of horse saddles is an investment in your enjoyment and the safety of both the horse and the rider. Don’t be afraid to ask for the input of an expert if you’re not sure about a particular item, or its suitability for your circumstances.
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December 3, 2010
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