A Short Background On Equestrian Saddles
Equestrian saddles include both the Western and English style. There are many people who use one or the other exclusively and more than a few who have occasion to switch. It depends on the breed of horse owned and whether they are riding for pleasure or competing in events.
English saddles are quite small in comparison to a Western saddle and not nearly as ornate, most times. The English style is functional, being barely there, it seems. It is just a way to stay on the horses back and there is not need for all the trappings of a western style saddle. Even among the smaller saddles, there are distinct differences and uses for each kind. Jumping and dressage take very opposite looking and feeling saddles.
For competitive events at non-professional levels, the all purpose saddle, which is a combination of the dressage and jumping style, would most likely be used. When competing with a Tennessee Walking Horse the Lane Fox saddle might be used because it is a saddle used only for gaited horses. This is a good saddle but it is not as comfortable for someone just pleasure riding. They are mostly for keeping the rider in a position of control during competitions.
In the good old days, the primary mode of transportation was the horse. The ladies of that time loved to ride horses also but they wore long dresses in those days. They needed a saddle that could accommodate them, retaining a fashionable look and an elegant way to travel. Thus the side saddle was brought into being. The ladies would sit in the saddle enabling them to hang one knee over one of the two horns. It provided much security while the horse was in motion either trotting or galloping.
In comparison, the Western saddle is larger, heavier, has many more leather flaps and a stronger horn. This is the saddle used frequently for pleasure riding. Long ago, they were used by the cowboys herding cattle. Not only for that reason but it was an important one. The horn provided a place to tie off the rope that was used to lasso calves in the process of branding the little critters. Cow pokes used their saddles as pillows of a sort, when they bedded down at night.
Not all men who rode horses were good guys, there being bad guys that rode as well. They used the saddle in a much different way, as far as what they attached to the leather strings or placed in the saddlebags. The good guys carried much more mundane items like their extra clothes and other personal items.
To protect the horse from irritation from the rubbing of the saddle, a saddle blanket or pad was placed between the horse and saddle. Side flaps protected the horses stomach and flanks from scratches as it ran through overgrowth chasing cattle.
To tie down certain items that would not fit into a saddlebag, leather strings were attached to the saddle. Holding a slicker to protect a man from the elements, along with his hat, the strings came in handy for carrying many things. Western and English, the Equestrian saddle was and still is an important item in the horse riding world.
English saddles are quite small in comparison to a Western saddle and not nearly as ornate, most times. The English style is functional, being barely there, it seems. It is just a way to stay on the horses back and there is not need for all the trappings of a western style saddle. Even among the smaller saddles, there are distinct differences and uses for each kind. Jumping and dressage take very opposite looking and feeling saddles.
For competitive events at non-professional levels, the all purpose saddle, which is a combination of the dressage and jumping style, would most likely be used. When competing with a Tennessee Walking Horse the Lane Fox saddle might be used because it is a saddle used only for gaited horses. This is a good saddle but it is not as comfortable for someone just pleasure riding. They are mostly for keeping the rider in a position of control during competitions.
In the good old days, the primary mode of transportation was the horse. The ladies of that time loved to ride horses also but they wore long dresses in those days. They needed a saddle that could accommodate them, retaining a fashionable look and an elegant way to travel. Thus the side saddle was brought into being. The ladies would sit in the saddle enabling them to hang one knee over one of the two horns. It provided much security while the horse was in motion either trotting or galloping.
In comparison, the Western saddle is larger, heavier, has many more leather flaps and a stronger horn. This is the saddle used frequently for pleasure riding. Long ago, they were used by the cowboys herding cattle. Not only for that reason but it was an important one. The horn provided a place to tie off the rope that was used to lasso calves in the process of branding the little critters. Cow pokes used their saddles as pillows of a sort, when they bedded down at night.
Not all men who rode horses were good guys, there being bad guys that rode as well. They used the saddle in a much different way, as far as what they attached to the leather strings or placed in the saddlebags. The good guys carried much more mundane items like their extra clothes and other personal items.
To protect the horse from irritation from the rubbing of the saddle, a saddle blanket or pad was placed between the horse and saddle. Side flaps protected the horses stomach and flanks from scratches as it ran through overgrowth chasing cattle.
To tie down certain items that would not fit into a saddlebag, leather strings were attached to the saddle. Holding a slicker to protect a man from the elements, along with his hat, the strings came in handy for carrying many things. Western and English, the Equestrian saddle was and still is an important item in the horse riding world.
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Get inside information on main reasons why saddles are important for basic safety right now in our guide to everything you need to find out about where and how to get the best horse saddles in the UK.
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