People have been riding horses for a millennium. Horse domestication was arguably one of the most significant contributors to the development of European and Middle eastern societies. Even pre-historical human cultures rode horses allowing them to travel farther, faster, and build agrarian societies. Eventually, pastoral communities developed into industrialized and post-industrialized societies.
Saddle technology developed, allowing different types of equestrian pursuits and purposes. Equestrianism today is mostly used for recreational purposes, but there are still horseback riders that ride as a way of life, not as a sport.
The main two categories of riding in America are English and Country-Western. In America, English riding is mainly a hobby-sport. Country-Western riding is both a sport and a tool of living. Cowboys still manage livestock in mid-western small family farms. Saddles are manufactured to suit the riding style.
Types of English Saddles
In America, English saddles tend to be used for stylish riding.
All-Purpose/Eventing Saddle
This is an all-around saddle, often used in hunter-jumper competitions. A cross between a dressage and jumping saddle, the eventing saddle, is typically an amateur saddle but can also be used in cross country, endurance, pleasure/trail riding, and starting young horses. If looking for an all-around saddle, this is the ideal option.
Search all-purpose English saddles on Amazon
We found this one with free shipping and good reviews.
Jumping Saddle
This is one of the most popular saddles for riders and can be used for show jumping, fox hunting, hunter-jumper, and cross country. A jumping saddle has a low cantle and pommel. It’s designed to help with “two-point” or the half-seat. Compared to an all-purpose saddle, this has thick flaps to protect and correct the rider’s lower leg for jumps.
Search English jumping saddles on Amazon
We found this one with free shipping and good reviews elsewhere on horseloverz.com
Dressage saddle
Not used for jumping, this saddle has a deep seat and encourages a long leg. Dressage demands subtle correction. Saddles have thinner flaps, allowing for closer contact with the horse. Some saddle designs have extra padding at the knee to help correct the rider’s position.
Search for dressage saddles on Amazon.
We found this one with free shipping and great reviews.
Saddle Seat Saddle
Saddle seat riding is a type of high stepping show riding. These saddles are longer and flatter with a backset girth to allow for the distinct saddle stepping gait.
Endurance Saddle
These saddles are meant to be used for long rides. They might be padded or quilted to increase comfort for both rider and horse. The saddle is broad, so that the weight distribution is spread over a large area. The saddle also has extra rings allowing for the addition of items while riding. Sometimes treeless, these saddles are often used on trails and for horses that may have sensitivity. Treeless saddles are saddles that lack boning structure. They can be more comfortable for some horses. It’s always a good idea to fit the saddle to the horse, and use a double, well-fitting girth to allow proper weight distribution.
Search for endurance saddle accessories on Amazon.
Polo Saddle
Flat seat with long saddle flaps, this saddle allows for a more extended leg position than many other saddles. There is little padding under the rider’s legs with these saddles, allowing for more contact with the horse. Without padding, the rider has more range of motion.
Search for polo saddles and polo saddle accessories on Amazon.
English Show Saddle
A traditional saddle style, these are usually used in Australia and the UK. The saddles are flat and not meant to correct the rider’s seat.
Search for show saddle accessories on Amazon.
Side Saddle
These saddles were in everyday use from the 14th to 19th centuries because of propriety and fashion. These saddles have a single stirrup and two pommels, which is how the rider balances. Today these saddles are almost exclusively used in parades and shows. Technically they can be used for jumping. World-famous jumper and side-saddle rider Susan Oakes jumped a 6ft 7.5-inch wall earning her two world records.
Find side saddle accessories on Amazon.
Racing Saddle
They are designed for jockey’s lightweight saddle with short stirrups. A racing saddle has a low and flat seat with short stirrups. These saddles have half a tree rather than a full, to reduce weight. Racing saddles don’t have security, so they aren’t meant for the general equestrian.
Types of Western Saddles
Western riding focuses on function rather than form. These saddles are designed to be ridden with one or even none.
Ranch Saddles
A heavyweight, working saddle with a deep seat, these are designed for ranch work. Rancher’s spend a lot of time in the saddle, be it mending fences or herding livestock. These saddles have multiple rings to allow ranchers to carry items they may need around the ranch.
Search Amazon for ranch saddles.
We found this one that we really liked. Check out what people on BarrelHorseWorld.com are saying in this forum thread we found about this brand of saddles.
Trail/Pleasure Saddles
Trail saddles are lightweight saddles that often require a breastplate to prevent sliding while climbing inclined terrain. Trail saddles are equipped with padding for humans’ and horses’ comfort and have various styles and colors.
Search trail/pleasure saddles on Amazon.
We found this one with free shipping and good reviews.
Roping Saddle
Saddles designed for roping events. They are manufactured for maximum range of movement for the roper. The saddle is meant to allow the rider to rope and tie the cow directly to the horn. Their purpose means these saddles need a sturdy tree and an anchored horn.
Search roping saddles on Amazon.
Check out this one that we loved with free shipping. Take a look at what people on BarrelHorseWorld.com are saying in this forum thread we found about this brand of saddles.
Cutting Saddle
For cutting events, these saddles are meant to keep the rider out of the horse’s way. These saddles can be used for training, penning, and reigning.
Reining Saddle
These saddles are used in reining competitions. They offer close contact with the horse to help the rider put the horse through the course. The close contact between horse and rider mean many people like these saddles for training.
Barrel Racing Saddle
Small and lightweight to encourage maneuverability as the rider races around the barrels. This saddle has a deep seat to support a rider racing around curves at high speed.
Search for barrel racing saddles on Amazon.
We really liked this one with great reviews on Amazon with free shipping.
Endurance saddle
Western endurance competitions can involve up to a hundred miles a day and include rough and inclined terrain. These saddles can also be used for long trail rides and cattle drives.
Check out this endurance saddle that we found on Amazon.
Show Saddles
These are fancy accessorized saddles, meant expressly for show. Like any other type of fashion statement fads come and go, show saddles can be bedazzled, embossed, embroidered, or all of the above.
Types of General Saddles
These types of saddles can be made in either English or Western styles.
Treeless Saddles
Saddle trees are the boning that provides structure and support to a saddle. Treeless saddles have advantages and disadvantages. Treeless saddles don’t have rigid boning that can create pressure points on a horse’s back. Even without a tree, a horse can still develop pressure points due to weight distribution, so always make sure the saddle fits your horse. Treeless saddles can actually increase pain and pressure for some horses, especially those with raised spines.
Pony saddles
Pony saddles are designed specifically for welsh and shetland ponies. These saddles don’t fit full-size horses, so as your child outgrows their pony, they will need a new saddle.
Youth Saddle
Youth saddles are designed for children who outgrow ponies and ride full-size horses.
Saddle styles depend on the kind of riding and the type of competition and riding. An English rider wouldn’t use a western saddle, nor would a reining competitor use a barrel racing saddle.
Search youth saddles on Amazon, which is a great place to find an affordable first saddle.