It has been a long time since the world is out of warfare and battles. Now the combat has upgraded to more technological methods. One would assume that equestrian times are over since horses were mostly used on the battlefield. But no, the art of horse riding has sprung back even stronger. It has become something more than a mere need of time. It has become a passion, a hobby, and a sport.
Proper horse riding requires certain tools and gadgets to guarantee the animals’ as well as the rider’s safety and comfort. One such thing is what we are discussing today i.e. The best horse saddles.
For people not knowing, horse saddles are seats placed on the balance point of horses upon which the rider settles. The purpose of saddles is to provide an adequate amount of balance, security, and support to the rider whilst delivering ample control over the animal as well. Apart from that, the saddle needs to be just as comfortable for the animal as it is for the rider. Keeping this in view, we have listed below six such horse saddles with varying qualities and features for the buyers to choose from.
1. Acerugs Horse Saddle:
Acerugs amasses a wide stock of horse riding goods. It specializes in saddles that are easy to maintain and budget-friendly. Some additional features of these saddles include:
Material:
The manufacture involves incorporating soft synthetic Cordura with nylon underlining. The lining makes it resilient against wear and tear which increases the life of the saddle.
The underside which rests on top of the horse is a soft fleece material that provides utmost comfort to the horse and minimizes any friction relating to harsh contact.
Size:
Another good news for the buyer is that a wide variety of sizes is available depending on the seat size. The whole color range is a
Padding:
The seat is thickly padded with soft foam which guarantees a smooth and relaxed ride for long hours on the trail.
Accessories:
The saddle tree is not the only thing that comes in the package. The buyer receives a matching headstall, reins, breast collar, and pad. So it is almost a complete tack set after which nothing needs to be bought separately.
Color and design:
The saddle tack set is available in a wide spectrum including all primary shades like red, blue, black, green, and some other shades like pink, brown, purple, etc. If that is not enough attraction for the buyer, the saddle set has an intricate crystal accent rim along the skirting. The silver conchos serve to add even more bling.
Saddle tree:
This double reinforced fiberglass tree offers great strength, durability, and stability which can withstand weather changes as well as temperature changes. It weighs 18 pounds which makes it manageable and extremely handy to plop and dismount from the horse.
Some other pros and cons are mentioned down below for further clarity:
Pros:
- lightweight
- Size range available
- Fleece underside
- Easy maintenance
- Easy cleanup
- Tear-proof
- Comes with a headstall, reins, breast collar, and pad
- Affordable
- A whole color range is available
- Comfy Soft padded seat
- Free tack set included
Cons:
- The box does not include cinches.
2. King Series Eclipse by tough-1:
The saddle by the original king series is ideally designed for use during long hours of riding. Comfort and durability are provided by the high-quality material and finest stitching. The seat is not padded but it does not compromise the comfort of the rider in any way. The leather is tear-proof and scratch-resistant which increases the life of the saddle. Some additional features for the buyers’ interests are listed down below:
Size Range:
A plus point for the customers is that all sizes are available which vary upon the seat size. This is an incredibly convenient aspect.
Material and construction:
The seat is a suede leather construction that promises softness and satisfaction even if the rider has been sitting on it for extremely long durations. The skirt and fenders are made of synthetic scratch-resistant material. The stirrups are padded and well-sewn for firm adjustments. They help relieve pressure on joints.
Color range:
Not many saddles come with the option of a whole color range to choose from. But The king series miraculously came up with five color schemes with a color contrast between the seat and the rest of the body. these color schemes are:
- black/black
- Black/pink
- Black/purple
- Black/turquoise
- Full brown
Accessories:
Here we discuss what other things the box comes with apart from the suede seat. Fully padded stirrups, skirts and fenders, jockey, pommel, and horn completes the whole package. This piques the interest of buyers when they acknowledge the fact that all these features prove to be a major source of convenience for them.
Lightweight:
What makes this product incredibly manageable and easy to mount/dismount is its feather-light weight which makes it the task of a single hand to carry it around. This also means that the horse is not overburdened and remains relaxed.
Pros and cons are listed down below.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Wear-and-tear resistant
- Affordable
- Available in many colors and sizes
- Shock-absorbing construction
- Scratch-resistant skirt and fenders
- Durable
Cons:
- The seat is not padded.
3. Acerugs Antique Leather Horse Saddle:
Unlike the last horse saddle tack by acerugs, this one is composed of textured leather which offers great endurance and long life.
Some distinguishing features of this leather saddle include:
Size range:
Acerugs always provides a whole size range for the relief of its customers. That is why these saddles can be bought in all possible sizes differing in the inches of the saddle seat.
Material:
The most remarkable feature of this saddle is definitely its 100 percent cowhide leather exterior which gives off a rugged and rough vibe to complete the cowboy look that most riders go after.
The underlining material is fleece which sends off utmost mitigation to the animal. Fleece is incredibly soft to touch and does not have any harsh influence on the horse.
Accessories:
The buyer receives a matching headstall, reins, breast collar, and pad, making it a complete tack set after which nothing needs to be bought separately.
Antique finish:
Another highlight of this product that makes it one of the most sought-after saddles is the antique outlook and textured exterior with intricate patterns winding all around with a black inlay. Specially hand-carved leaf and basket tooling give this saddle a flashy yet classy outlook.
Multiple ties:
Various strings and ties are sewn in the saddle on shiny silver conchos for accessory attachments. They take the appeal up another notch.
Padding:
The nicely padded black suede seat keeps the rider comfortable during long hours of travel. Foam is used to fill up and a quilt stitching all around the seat adds additional grip and durability.
Saddle tree:
The right proportions of wood and fiberglass are concocted together to make a sturdy and stable saddle tree.
Pros:
- Wood and fiberglass tree
- Whole size range available
- Antique outlook
- Hand-carved tooling
- Padded fleece underside
- Tough nylon makes it sturdy
- Lightweight
- Padded seat
- Comes with a headstall, reins, breast collar.
Cons:
A bit heavy
4. Mustang Soft Ride Saddle:
Though these saddles are not adorned with flashy conchos and silver buckles, neither are they composed of finely textured leather, even then the comfort and durability are guaranteed. This means that mustang has focused primarily on the more significant factors like getting the purpose fulfilled without all the add-ons.
Some of the remarkable features are listed down below:
Lightweight:
As the name suggests, this soft ride saddle is the best horse saddle for horse riding practices that are not too formal or of a professional level. It hardly weighs 6 pounds which is as air-light as a feather as compared to other leather saddles that become too much hassle to mount/dismount. These saddles in comparison are extremely handy to manage and highly recommended for beginners.
Quilted padding:
The bareback pad is quilted lightly to give it the much-required stability and make it equipped to provide the right amount of support to the rider. The pad also has shock-absorbing features which serve to protect the rider and the horse from harsh impacts or accidents.
Grab handles:
This saddle features Quick grab handles for easy mounting and settling of the rider as well as the portability of the saddle. This characteristic promises even greater convenience for the users.
Easy cleanup:
The saddle has a jet black color which makes it less prone to stains and dirt. That alone means that it does not need to be that frequently cleaned. Even then if the user decides to wash this saddle up, the process is completely hassle-free and non-chaotic because the saddle only needs to be hosed off once and then air-dried to get it as good as new.
Size range:
Another remarkable feature of these soft saddles is the availability of a whole size range. Therefore, one can clearly appreciate the versatility Mustang soft saddles offer for various sizes and breeds.
Design:
The soft padded seat is extremely form-fitting and is supported by a high rise cantle which acts as the backbone of the rider in times of long rides. The removable stirrups aid in the prop. The closed-cell foam allows no painful pressure points while also keeping the rider in close contact with the horseback.
Accessories:
The package comes with a high-rise cantle, adjustable grab handles, and removable stirrups.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Quilted saddle pad
- Adjustable removable stirrups
- Flexible
- Comfort guaranteed
- Soft foamed seat
- Shock-absorber
- Form-fitted seat
- varying sizes available
Cons:
- No attachment for saddlebags
- Only available in black color.
Tough-1 ride behind saddle:
This is not a traditional saddle. It is an accessory saddle that fits behind a saddle in case there are multiple riders. Relatively small and lightweight, it comes in extremely handy for people riding in pairs. It is made specifically to be compatible with western saddles. Some of its key features are mentioned down below.
Lightweight and handy:
It has to be designed in such a way that the saddle does not overburden the animal. At the same time, it is a child’s play to mount, dismount and carry around. This is because the horse will have to carry the weight of the actual saddle apart from this and it will be a highly inconvenient option if only this accessory saddle weighs a tonne. Keeping in view this factor, the Tough-1 behind the tandem saddle is constructed so that it is air-light i.e. it weighs only 1.7 kilos.
Material and Construction:
This saddle becomes a remarkable choice for our friends out there who want to buy an eco-friendly saddle or those who want something other than the classic leather options. It is a tough Cordura nylon construction having a padded candle. The padding is of soft foam which has extraordinary shock-absorbing properties.
The saddle even comes with adjustable stirrups and fits snugly behind most western saddles.
Padding:
As mentioned earlier, the padding consists of soft foam that promises to cushion the rider and also prevent unnecessary flapping around the seat or the rider. This is due to the shock-absorbing material.
Color options:
Sadly, this behind saddle does not come with a lot of color options to select from. But the good news is that the two colors it is available in (black and brown), are a perfect match that completes the looks of horse riders from all age groups and even fulfills the demands of both genders.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Tough nylon construction
- Comes with stirrups
- Two-color options: black and brown
- Extremely lightweight
- Padded with shock-absorbing foam
- Padded cantle
- Comes with adjustable nylon leathers
Cons:
- Not a stand-alone, to be used in combination with a western saddle
Generic Synthetic Western Saddle:
Saddles by Generic are designed to please the users in the best possible way. Whether it is the design and exterior, the color scheme, the interior, or the quality and durability, these saddles are meant to meet all demands of riders with perfection. Some additional features of these saddles include:
Material and construction:
The long-lasting design is due to synthetic Cordura material. The colored nylon binding is stitched to perfection and serves to increase durability. The underside is composed of soft fleece material which rests on horseback like soft silk.
Color range:
The vast color range is one of the reasons this synthetic horse saddle is one of the top choices of buyers. The colors available include brown, black, blue, pink, and red. Therefore, any shade that one can possibly think of, is incorporated in these saddles for pleasing aesthetics.
Size range:
Generic synthetic saddles have covered all sizes from 14 to 18” based on seat size.
Design and outlook:
All other features aside, the classy yet elegant adornments scattered along the whole length of the saddle are what take the cake. Firstly, the Cordura is embroidered with crystals and accents and there is also a shiny crystal trim along the borders of the skirting and cantle. The star conchos take this process a notch up. The contrasting nylon piping gives the saddle a refined outlook that is equal quantities sophisticated and glamorous.
Padding:
The seat and horn are softly and adequately padded giving off the right amount of support to the rider, and stability and sturdiness to the seat.
Lightweight:
A quality that horse riders look for in a saddle is how easily it can be managed, cleaned, and mounted/dismounted. This factor has been kept in perspective while designing this saddle which is why this saddle is lightweight and extremely portable. Despite weighing less than the traditional saddles, this saddle does not dangle around or become unstable at any point during the ride. This is another trait that all saddles should have.
Saddle tree:
All the stability and sturdiness come from the double reinforced fiberglass which is tear-proof and scratch-resistant. At the same time, it is rust-free and all of these factors contribute to the durability and long life of the saddle.
Pros:
- Durable
- Soft fleece underside
- Corrosion-free fittings
- Light-weight
- Adorned by colored crystals and accents
- Tear-proof
- Easy to clean
- Many color options are available
- Comes with a free saddle pad
- Affordable
- Portable
- Many sizes available
Cons:
- size must be carefully matched.
Buying Guide:
The six above-mentioned products look better than the other, which is why the buyers might still be in a confusion to choose one. For these reasons, we have enlisted some characteristics that every saddle must have. It will help the customers out of their misery and bring them closer to their decision.
Size range:
The product must have a whole range of versatile sizing options so that no problem is faced. Another important factor is to match and know your size correctly using the chart before ordering.
Color and design:
Though people usually tend to think that quality matters the most, vision is the first sense that comes in contact with our surroundings. We can not ignore the significance of visual appeal. Therefore, carefully pick out a color and design that works best for you, keeping in perspective your gender and age.
Most people opt for a rugged and rough exterior with some sort of texture winding around because it goes well with the whole theme of horse riders, which is also what we recommend because it is the safest option.
Material:
We have a few options in terms of materials. Most people go for leather but eco-friendly alternatives, there are a few saddles made of nylon or Cordura that you can choose instead.
Lightweight:
When anything is lightweight, it becomes ten folds manageable and effortless to work with. This is why we recommend going for saddles that do not weigh a tonne because heavier saddles are just as difficult to mount and dismount.
Tack set inclusion:
It is important to get most of the accessories in one package so you won’t have to separately look for minute gear like buckles, breast collar, reins, headstalls, etc.
Affordability:
Everyone is well-aware of their limits regarding the budget. Nobody would want to make the horse riding gear over-expensive by spending too much on saddles and saddlebags. So look for relatively budget-friendly options which fit your monetary limits.
Durability:
Durability depends on several factors including the type of material used, double-stitched fabric, presence of lining, and the quality of straps and buckles attached to the saddle. Carefully sift through the reviews of the product you seem to take interest in because refunds are not always possible. Secondly, one would not want to spend again and again on saddles because they are bought nearly once in a lifetime.
Padded seat:
The comfort and safety of the animal, as well as the rider, is of prime importance especially for riders who go to trails or travel for long hours on horses. The seat should be well-padded with soft foam for the effortless settling of the rider and underlined with fleece to tone down the harsh impact of friction.
Conclusion:
A saddle should be long-lasting, durable, and sturdy. It should be made of high-quality material and stitched to perfection. All the textures and conchos should be sewed efficiently so that they don’t come undone. The seat should be well-padded. In addition to all these things, Affordability and durability should not be compromised in any case.
With that, we conclude a detailed summary of all the information regarding saddles which have proved to be a prerequisite for horse riding. Hopefully, the readers and buyers won’t have to continue surfing through loads of other articles because you will get all your answers here. Good luck!