Owning a horse is a very rewarding thing although it can be costly and there are many things that you will need to buy.
One of the essential items that you will need to purchase is the saddle and there are several different styles and sizes to choose depending on your horse.
Buying a saddle is quite easy and once you understand the different types and their uses then you will be better prepared.
There are two main types of horse saddles to buy and other specialized ones that enable you to compete to a higher standard.
Although you can choose to buy a particular type of saddle for the type of riding you are aiming to do there are two main types of saddles.
These are English horse saddles and western saddles the different styles of riding are shown by the place you sit on the saddle and the different styles of holding the reins.
When you are buying a saddle, you will need to decide which style you want as the western saddles are quite restrictive on what you can do with it.
The horse saddles for western riding are larger and much heavier than other styles and allow you to sit deeper and more comfortably on your horse.
You can also find horse saddles for horse racing, dressage, jumping and everyday riding saddles you should try to buy a multipurpose saddle so that you can use it for various activities.
Buying a saddle can seem daunting but if you research he different style of saddle then it will become clearer, dressage saddles are designed for you to have greater contact with your horse and will have longer side flaps.
Whereas show jumping saddles are slightly higher at the front of the saddle and this helps your posture and position for jumping.
This type of horse saddles can be used for many different tasks and this is the most bought saddle on the market.
They are comfortable and easy to find you will find them in all horse supply stores and tack shops.
You will find that when buying saddles you need to decide on the material for your saddle.
The majority of them are made from leather, which is durable, tough and easy to clean.
Synthetic saddles have become more popular as they are very lightweight and these are ideal for children to use.
Adults tend to prefer the leather horse saddles as with the right level of care they will last for several years.
You have to choose your saddle with comfort in mind as it should be perfect for both you and your horse.
When buying a saddle, you should have it fitted by a professional, which will guarantee that it is the correct saddle for your horse.
You need to ensure that your horse is happy with the saddle so that they perform to the best of their abilities.
Horse saddles can be expensive so you should shop around for one and although you may be tempted to buying second hand, it might not be advisable.
Only contemplate buying a saddle this way if you know its history as then you can guarantee it is not damaged.
Once you have found your ideal saddle you can enjoy years of comfort and enjoyment from riding.