Horse Riding Saddles
Horse Riding Saddles Three Major English Saddle Designs
Although there are many, many Horse Riding Saddles available, there are three major designs that you will come across in any given boarding barn.
Here is a brief outline of each of these three:
The Jumping Saddle
The jumping saddle is also called a forward seat saddle and is it designed for show jumping and some other hunt seat events. Its most distinctive feature is a forward-cut flap that is designed for the rider who rides with a shorter stirrup, the length you will use if you are jumping a fence.
The flap usually has padded knee rolls for support which helps the rider as they jump over the obstacles on a course. Because this rider has shorter stirrups, the seat is centered further back. The cantle and pommel are rather low so that they do not create any interference for the rider as they take the “two-point position” or “half-seat”.
The jumping saddle usually has three short billets, where the girth is attached. Some of the newer styles, however, have longer billets like the dressage saddle to eliminate the extra bulk under the knee area.
It should be clear, then, that the flap of this saddle mirrors the leg position a jumping rider has in performing their sport. Their leg must fit into the flap area with short stirrups. If there is not a good fit, then the saddle becomes a hindrance to the rider rather than an asset.
The Dressage Saddle
Dressage saddles are different from the Jumping saddle because of the different leg position a Dressage rider has. This saddle has a very straight-cut flap and is much longer in length than a jumping saddle to accommodates the longer leg position of a dressage rider.
Rather than jumping, Dressage riders work on the flat and perfect their communication skills with the horse with their natural aids. Therefore, their legs are longer down the horses’ sides. This brings their seat more forward in the saddle.
So, Dressage saddles will have the seat more forward than Jumping saddles. The pommel is a bit higher and the deepest point of the saddle’s seat more forward, all to allow for this longer leg position.
Since the seat is deeper in a dressage saddle than a jumping saddle, the rider can sit comfortably and relax to best influence the horse. The padding is usually kept to a minimum, which allows a closer feel with the horse.
However, some designs feature much more padding in front of the knee to help the rider keep the proper leg position. Usually you will not find much padding behind the leg so the rider can move their lower leg freely.
The billets found on Dressage saddles are usually very long. This allows the girth to be buckled closer to the horse’s elbow, rather than under the rider’s leg, creating little or no bulk between the rider and the horse.
The Flat Saddle
The Saddle Seat saddle, also sometimes called a “Park,” “Lane Fox” or “cutback,” is the third English saddle variation you will find in most bards.
These saddles are used on horses that have high front leg action, such as the American Saddlebred, the Arabian and the Morgan horse. You will also see them used on gaited horses such as the Tennessee Walker or the Missouri Foxtrotter.
Of these horse riding saddles, the cutback saddle has the longest and flattest seat of them all. This is because the saddle seat rider has long stirrups and sits a little further back than the Dressage rider.
The pommel (the front of the saddle) is literally cut back by about 4 inches. This allows for the often prominent withers found on these breeds of horses and allows for greater freedom of movement of their front legs.
The flap of the cut back saddle is the widest of any other English saddle. This protects the rider’s leg, since it is further back than a Dressage rider’s. Remember that this rider has long stirrups and the seat is further back. Therefore, the rider’s leg will be somewhat further back too.
The Saddle seat saddle developed from a couple of sources. As mentioned above, it was designed to show off the high front leg action of certain breeds. Also, the gaited horses were used on plantations for the owners to ride their many acres comfortably.
Each of these horse riding saddles offer the comfort and protection needed for the different disciplines they are designed for. You really wouldn’t want to jump in the cut back or ride dressage in a jump saddle.
These horse riding saddles serve different purposes and are uniquely designed to assist the horse and the rider. The more you learn about the differences, the more you will know about the best kind of riding saddle you need. You’ll find new and used horse riding saddles that will be just what you need!
Thanks for visiting the blog! Please post any interesting ideas about these saddles!
With Warm Regards,
Lisa Blackstone
American Horse Association
Horse And Rider Club A GREAT website for kids!
