How Do You Choose An English Saddle?
No matter the discipline you are riding in, your English saddle needs to fit you and be appropriate for what you are doing. The wrong saddle will make you uncomfortable, throw you off balance and hinder the way you ride your horse. All of these things can then make your horse uncomfortable, even if the saddle fits your horse perfectly. Consider what you are doing with your horse. If you are going to compete in jumping, you need a close contact or jumping saddle. Trail riders, foxhunters and anyone who doesn’t concentrate entirely on jumping or dressage might prefer an all-purpose saddle. Riders competing in dressage need a dressage saddle. Some trail riders prefer dressage saddles, too, because of the deep seat and straighter flap (the sides of the saddle). Go to a tack store with a large selection of saddles, or to a equine symposium or competition where there will be a lot of vendors with saddles available for you to sit in. Sit in the saddles you like and see how many fingers fit be
