Gaited horse saddles for sale are cut to allow free movement of the shoulders and the hips. If your saddle is uncomfortable for your horse, or uncomfortable for you, invest in a saddle designed specifically for the narrower chest and higher withers of most gaited horses. These saddles are cut back in the front and are smaller.
An ambling gait is an inherited trait. Horses bred to naturally prefer a gaited walk include the Florida Cracker, Missouri Fox Trotter, Rocky Mountain, Saddlebred, Walkaloosa, and the Tennessee Walker. When walking at a gait, one foot is always on the ground. The rider doesn't feel the jarring bounce typical when riding at a trot.
A properly fitted saddle sits naturally on the back. The saddle tree sits behind the scapula, allowing easy and flowing movement. A well designed saddle comfortably distributes the rider's weight along the spine. Your equine vet or trainer can help you choose a good fitting saddle that will be comfortable for you and your horse.
A comfortable well-balanced rider will enjoy riding. Horses enjoy a rider that sits comfortably in the saddle and isn't constantly shifting their weight. Factors affecting the rider's fit include length and shape. Men are usually most comfortable with a moderate twist, women with a broad twist. Horses ridden for pleasure can comfortably carry 20-25% of their body weight.
Any horse with wide shoulders or a high withers might be best fitted with a gaited horse saddle. Different makers size their saddles differently. Choosing a saddle is a lot like fitting a pair of shoes. Place the saddle across the horse's back without any padding. Examine the fit from every angle. There shouldn't be gaps along the spine or withers. Don't fix a poorly fitted saddle by adding extra padding. The saddle will shift, making for an unsafe and uncomfortable ride. Adding extra padding is like wearing extra socks to make an oversized pair of shoes fit your feet.
These compact saddles are designed with wider gullets, with twist and bars angled to allow for the longer stride. Often the gullets need to be higher to keep the saddle from pinching at the withers. The skirt is smaller reducing the weight on the spine. Saddles can be bought for English style or Western trail and endurance riding.
White hairs under the saddle, uneven sweat patterns, and uneven muscling, are all signs of a poorly fitting saddle. Fitting problems are sometimes mistaken for behavior problems. A horse suffering from an incorrectly fitted saddle may dance and nip to resist saddling and mounting. Swishing the tail and lowering the head while being ridden are signs of discomfort. Difficulty maintaining a smooth gait and slow response to rein and leg cues are often the result of a poorly fitted saddle.
Local feed and tack stores can help you find a good fitting saddle. There's also many online stores offering custom fitted gaited horse saddles for sale. Most offer fitting tips and advice, and will send tree forms so the handler can determine the correct fit. A used saddle in good condition is another option as long as you check the fit before purchasing. Whereever you buy your saddle, be sure to ask about return and/or exchange policies.
An ambling gait is an inherited trait. Horses bred to naturally prefer a gaited walk include the Florida Cracker, Missouri Fox Trotter, Rocky Mountain, Saddlebred, Walkaloosa, and the Tennessee Walker. When walking at a gait, one foot is always on the ground. The rider doesn't feel the jarring bounce typical when riding at a trot.
A properly fitted saddle sits naturally on the back. The saddle tree sits behind the scapula, allowing easy and flowing movement. A well designed saddle comfortably distributes the rider's weight along the spine. Your equine vet or trainer can help you choose a good fitting saddle that will be comfortable for you and your horse.
A comfortable well-balanced rider will enjoy riding. Horses enjoy a rider that sits comfortably in the saddle and isn't constantly shifting their weight. Factors affecting the rider's fit include length and shape. Men are usually most comfortable with a moderate twist, women with a broad twist. Horses ridden for pleasure can comfortably carry 20-25% of their body weight.
Any horse with wide shoulders or a high withers might be best fitted with a gaited horse saddle. Different makers size their saddles differently. Choosing a saddle is a lot like fitting a pair of shoes. Place the saddle across the horse's back without any padding. Examine the fit from every angle. There shouldn't be gaps along the spine or withers. Don't fix a poorly fitted saddle by adding extra padding. The saddle will shift, making for an unsafe and uncomfortable ride. Adding extra padding is like wearing extra socks to make an oversized pair of shoes fit your feet.
These compact saddles are designed with wider gullets, with twist and bars angled to allow for the longer stride. Often the gullets need to be higher to keep the saddle from pinching at the withers. The skirt is smaller reducing the weight on the spine. Saddles can be bought for English style or Western trail and endurance riding.
White hairs under the saddle, uneven sweat patterns, and uneven muscling, are all signs of a poorly fitting saddle. Fitting problems are sometimes mistaken for behavior problems. A horse suffering from an incorrectly fitted saddle may dance and nip to resist saddling and mounting. Swishing the tail and lowering the head while being ridden are signs of discomfort. Difficulty maintaining a smooth gait and slow response to rein and leg cues are often the result of a poorly fitted saddle.
Local feed and tack stores can help you find a good fitting saddle. There's also many online stores offering custom fitted gaited horse saddles for sale. Most offer fitting tips and advice, and will send tree forms so the handler can determine the correct fit. A used saddle in good condition is another option as long as you check the fit before purchasing. Whereever you buy your saddle, be sure to ask about return and/or exchange policies.
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