September 10, 2009
Different Types of English Saddles
For those new to riding, the wide variety of saddle types available in both English and western riding can be a bit confusing. First you’ll want to consider the type of riding that you’ll be doing and which types of events you might like to participate in. For many English equestrians the English saddle type is going to be an essential component to the tack and while there is some overlap in saddle usage there are essential elements each saddle must have. Understanding the features of each of the saddle types will help you understand why each is suited to a particular activity or riding style.
The jumping saddle (also known as a forward seat or hunt seat saddle) is designed to postion the rider forward for balance in going over jumps. This design allows the rider to keep their balance with the dramatic jumping motion of a horse. Because of the more extreme movement involved, a jumping saddle will have a larger kneepad and thigh roll than you’ll find on the more general use, all-purpose saddle. The jumping saddle will have a lot of support and cushion for the rider to support them through this arduous activity.
A very versatile saddle type of a variety of English events from hunt seat to moderate jumping is the English close contact saddle. These saddles have a very flat overall seat and cantle but they do have the slightly forward flaps and stirrup bars to allow the rider to keep the knees slightly bend for posting and jumping. Unlike the jumping saddle the close contact saddle is more like the endurance saddle with very little in the way of thigh roll or kneepad, providing more movement for the rider and an ability to stay in close contact with the horse’s body.
The dressage saddle has been specifically designed for the art of dressage and will have long, straight flaps and less forward strirup bars that positions the rider deep in the saddles with the legs hanging below them. The kneepads and thick rolls are low on the saddle and the seat tends to be deeper than that of a more all-purpose saddle. Dressage saddles can be used for any type of groundwork but are not designed for jumping or hunt type events.
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September 9, 2009
English Saddle Manufacturers Using Technology To Develop Better Saddles
English saddle makers are improving the design of their saddles with the use of new technology. Different companies offer different English saddle brands with options for riders from the Pessoa saddles that are treated with vegetable dyes and natural oils to become completely waterproof to the Bates, Collegiate and Wintec line of saddles that have adjustable gullet systems that allow these saddles to be custom fit to any horse.
The specialized systems can also work between these brands, making them a good choice for riders with different types of saddles in their tack room. These types of advances have not only made improvements for the rider but they have also made saddles and tack much more comfortable for the individual horse. Panels that don’t need re-stuffing, found in most Courbette saddles, ensures that you can use your tack on different horses while still maintaining that great fit to eliminate rubbing and irritation for the horse, regardless of the width of his or her back.
Another major change in many of the saddles used in English riding is the change from all leather to synthetic materials. Wintec saddles are the leader in synthetic saddles with all English saddle types now available in durable, waterproof and easy fitting options. These saddles are great for training and also for novice riders and children since they are lightweight and very low care types of saddles. Not all Wintec synthetic English saddles are cheap, but they are high quality and very durable, an excellent investment for novice and experienced riders alike.
The saddle makers who have been areound awhile are experiencing a surge in popularity in both general purpose and competitive saddles. Albion saddles have long been a European and British English saddle, but are now found around the world. These saddles come in a wide selection of styles including jumping, close contact and dressage. They are leather, very high quality and designed to allow weight to be equally distributed across the horse’s back, ideal for dressage, equitation and jumping where balance and stability for both horse and rider is essential. Advances in available technology enable saddle designers to really study the points of pressure a saddle places on a horse at rest and in a variety of movement and motion.
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