I-Saddles: Differences Between Horse Riding Saddles (part 1)

Horse Saddle: I am the lovely piece of work placed onconditions ranging from soothing to the harshest. My
the horse's back for riders to sit upon. I ensure stabilityseats are deeper than the typical English saddle and
for both the rider and the horse, and distribute themy cantle higher. I am kept on with a girth attached to
weight of the rider evenly on the horse's back. I comethe billets under the flaps.
in many different forms, numerous enough to makeWestern Saddle: I am the saddle used for Western
your head spin. My variations are shaped in regards toRiding in the United States of America, mainly in the
location [in terms of English, Australian, Western,'western' part. I am often tagged with the 'cowboy'
German etc], tree types [in terms of Wade, flex Tree,name. I was designed to provide both security &
treeless etc], production technique [handmade customcomfort to riders and their horses traveling long hours
or manufactured], materials [Leather or synthetic],in harsh environment. I fancy being flashy and different,
activity [parading, roping, show, endurance, racing, trail,I tend not to like 'simplicity', because I pride myself at
reining etc] etc.being unique and robust. I don't call my girths 'girths' [you
English Saddle: I am the saddle used to ride horses inbet] but cinch. My Stirrups cannot be detached from
"English riding" disciplines world wide. Though with anme in an emergency, but instead I have a wider tread;
English background, I am not limited in use by Englishcombined with the rider's high-heeled boots. The design
speaking countries or in England alone. I have featuresminimizes the risk that the rider will slip through the
that make me unique and stand out as envy in thestirrups during a fall, and the rider being dragged. My
equestrian world. My Stirrups can be detached fromcantle is one of the most obvious of all horse saddles,
the saddle [in case of an emergency]. I have a pieceproviding greater comfort and security. I cover a wider
of equipment known as a girth, which is used to keepsurface area than the Typical English or Australian
me in place on a horse. It passes under the barrel ofsaddle. My cinch is tied on with a flat strap of leather
the equine, usually attached to me on both sides byor nylon known as a latigo. I have no padding between
two or three leather straps called billets. My rare endthe tree and the external leather and fleece skirting...
has a subtle and not-too-obvious feature known asOkay, okay, it seems I brag a lot, but really, I am truly
the cantle. This is used to provide greater comfort andunique because I am the most 'modified' and truly
security to riders. I generally cover a smaller surfacecustomized to suit rider's tastes. And I am often used
area, yet have proven to be more effective withfor 'show' purposes. Yeah, I show-off a lot! But there
simplicity. Much of the weight bearing area in me isare no 'best' kinds of saddles anywhere, only suitable
supported by a large internal flocking inside the panels.and familiar ones.
Australian saddle: I am the saddle used for activitiesHorse: I am the tamed animal Humans ride upon. I
requiring long hours on the horse. I came as a variationknow not of western, English, Australian, Portuguese,
of the English saddle eons ago, but have soonGerman or even youth saddles. I only know it when
developed my own uniqueness as time went by. Imy back hurts if the seating equipment placed on it
have a distinct feature known as the Knee pad [akapokes my spine or is not properly fitted- I 'neighhhhhhh'
'poleys'] to provide security for riders who ride in roughat the rider, indicating pain and discomfort- and I know
conditions & spend long hours on horses. Thewhen it does not. I love humans, and would give my full
'poleys' are usually located around a rider's thigh in frontagility and beauty to the ones who seat on me
of the saddle. I was designed to cater for theproperly.