Which Kind Of Saddle Should I Get For General Use?

Finding the right saddle is about comfort for your, comfort for your horse, and making sure the saddle fits its purpose.

But what if you don’t know exactly which discipline you’re going to ride? We look at three different saddle options for general purpose use, and the pros & cons of each.

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The Western Saddle

A Western saddle is designed for stability and control. They’re also often slightly wider than other saddles, which allows them to fit better for wider horses that are more suited to events like barrel racing.

PROS:

• High Stability.
• Good control.
• Good for high levels of rigorous movement.
• Good for trail riding.

CONS:

• Inflexible.
• Reduces your feeling of connection with your horse.
• Very hefty.

Ideal for: Barrel racing, ranching, western horsemanship.

Is it good for general purpose?

A Western saddle can be a good decision if you’re main aim is to spend time trail riding with your horse or you plan on spending extended periods of time in the saddle. If you want stability, and don’t plan on going into English riding disciplines, this is a good option.
For general purpose, the ranch saddle is a versatile Western saddle.

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The English Saddle

The English saddle is designed to allow the horse freedom of movement. It’s also the saddle used in all Olympic and FEI events except reining & equestrian vaulting.

They have no horn on the front and larger flaps than the Western saddle.

PROS:

• Allows the horse free movement.
• Refined, simple look.
• Used in many professional disciplines.

CONS:

• Easier to fall off.
• Not great for riding easily-spooked horses.

Ideal for: Dressage, show jumping, eventing.

Is it good for general purpose?

An all-purpose English saddle can do excellently for general purpose use, and is often used as a beginning point.

It will not give you the control and stability of a Western saddle, but will make you feel closer and more connected to your horse.

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The Australian Saddle

The Australian saddle is somewhere between a Western and an English saddle. It was adapted from the English saddle to suit Australian terrain, but now offers a balance between the stability of the Western and the freedom-of-movement of the English.

PROS:

• Low weight
• Low maintenance
• Comfortable for long hours of riding
• Good stability

CONS:

• Doesn’t offer the stability required for Western events.
• Doesn’t offer the freedom of movement required for English events.

Ideal for: Endurance riding, pleasure riding, cattle work.

Is it good for general purpose?

Absolutely. The Australian saddle offers the perfect balance of the above two. It’s biggest flaw is that it is as specialized as the previous two, and makes it more difficult to progress to high levels of competitive equestrian disciplines.

For general use, an Australian saddle is a great way to go, comfortable for long duration, stable for easily spooked horses and without the bulk or horn of a Western.

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What else should I look for when choosing a saddle?

When testing out a saddle (old or new), make  sure you look for these things:

• The security vs. the flexibility of movement.
• The degree of contact between your legs and your horse.
• Make sure the saddle fits your behind.
• Make sure the saddle is comfortable for long rides.
• Make sure the saddle fits your horse.

When checking the saddle fits your horse, check your saddle padding for sweat patches after a ride. Any dry areas indicate bridging (the saddle isn’t sitting against your horse), which can cause discomfort.

Also consider what you intend on wearing. If you decide on an English saddle, you’ll likely need to wear knee-high boots each time you go riding.

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Further Reading

What sweat patterns on your saddle pad means.

How much does it cost to build an indoor arena.