| Saddle design will always have two main | | | | must put the rider in the correct riding position, |
| considerations. First and most important, will be your | | | | assuming the usual stirrup length. The rider's seat |
| horse's well being; with the rider's comfort and stability | | | | should naturally fall in the 'seat' or 'balance point' of the |
| being the secondary consideration. | | | | saddle and the saddle flap must ensure that the rider's |
| To ensure the welfare of the horse, the saddle must | | | | knee is lifted clear of the horse. This same principle |
| act to raise the rider off the horse's spinal cord and | | | | applies across all riding disciplines and all saddle designs |
| distribute his weight evenly across the horse's back | | | | will differ according to the position the rider needs to |
| without cauding pressure points. Pressure should never | | | | be in for that discipline. |
| be allowed directly on the spinal cord of the horse, nor | | | | Let's look at an English jumping saddle and a dressage |
| on the system of ligaments that run parallel along the | | | | saddle to illustrate the differences in design brought |
| spine. That is the main design function of any saddle, | | | | about by the rider's optimum position. The jumping |
| although there are many variations and much debate | | | | saddle will be designed to fit the rider in jumping |
| about this is best achieved. | | | | position. The saddle flaps will extend forward to take |
| Usually, with most designs of saddle, the spinal | | | | into account the shorter stirrup leather length required |
| clearance and weight distribution is achieved by the | | | | and the consequent extending of the rider's knee |
| tree. Essentially, this is the rigid internal frame or | | | | position forward and the seat or 'balance point' will be |
| skeleton around which the saddle is built and this is | | | | further back with a slightly higher cantle than normal. It |
| shaped to keep the weight clear of the horse's wither | | | | is these design requirements that give the jumping |
| and spine. It is essential, therefore, that the saddle and | | | | saddle its familiar appearance. |
| tree fit the horse correctly. Too narrow a tree may | | | | A dressage saddle, on the other hand, looks entirely |
| pinch at the wither, cause the saddle to sit on the | | | | different because of the different riding position. The |
| horse's spine itself or even fail to distribute the weight | | | | saddle flaps do not extend forward because the |
| evenly. Too wide a tree will allow the saddle to pinch | | | | stirrup leather length will be longer and the rider's leg will |
| the spine at the wither. | | | | be straighter as a result. The seat will be further |
| How many of us have seen riders sitting lopsided, for | | | | forward with a lower cantle. |
| example? Imagine what that is doing to the horse's | | | | Subject to the important principle of spinal clearance |
| back! | | | | and weight distribution, the design of the saddle will, |
| The secondary consideration in saddle design will be | | | | therefore, differ according to the riding discipline and |
| the rider's stability and comfort and much will depend | | | | this perhaps explains the popularity of General |
| on the riding discipline for which the saddle is intended. | | | | Purpose or 'GP' saddles for most of us! It is vital that |
| The design of a dressage saddle will differ greatly | | | | you have the correct saddle, of course, and also that |
| from a close contact or jumping saddle, for example, | | | | you have it regularly checked by a saddler to ensure |
| as will a Western show saddle and barrel racing | | | | that it fits your horse properly. |
| saddle. But whatever the discipline, the saddle design | | | | |