11 Most Comfortable Horse Saddles for Trail Riding

F or many adventurers, movies that included cowboys and horseback riding through all kinds of terrains were some of the most exciting pieces of cinema. The depiction of freedom and rustic living enticed those who also had a soft spot for animals, but if you were one of them and you enjoyed binging those kinds of movies, you might’ve noticed that quite a few times, some riders glazed over one of the most important aspects of riding, that being a good saddle.

In real life, throwing a blanket over your horse does work, but the level of comfort is nonexistent, especially if you’re a beginner. This article is specially made to show you a few models that could make the riding experience a dream every time you mount your horse.

How to Properly Fit a Saddle

To have a saddle that is fitting properly, it must bring comfort both to you and to your horse, because riding needs to be a pleasurable activity for all parties involved. According to Equine Specialist Patricia A. Evans, “There are saddles that enhance what the rider wants to do, while others make the rider’s job more difficult.”, which is why the first thing you need to do before taking out the tape measure is to decide on the kind of riding you want to go for. When it comes to lighter activities, an English model will do just fine, whereas for tougher activities you might need extra features that can only be found in Western models. If a mix of both sounds just fine, go for an All-Purpose model.

Fitting Yourself

The measurements that you’ll need to gather for this part are:

Seat Size: The English and Western types vary; therefore look up a chart for each to pin down the perfect size.

Cantle/Fork Swell Space: On the English type, the cantle should allow enough space for you to comfortably rest four fingers on it; On the Western-type, the fork swell should be the same measurement away from your thigh.

Stirrup Length: From the armpit to the tips of your fingers, this is the approximate length that you’ll be needing.

Fitting Your Horse

Find the Balance: By moving the saddle back and forth along the animal’s spine, eventually, you’ll find the spot that feels just right.

The Most Important Aspect – The Gullet: Its size should allow you to place two to three fingers inside, one on top of the other, in the raised space at the side resting towards the horse’s head. Anything less means that you risk pinching and causing nerve pain, while more means that you risk creating sores on the skin from the constant large movement.

Snug Bars: The bars fit right if they apply the same amount of pressure throughout their length. No part should press too much, and no part should be allowed to lift up. Also, check the width and the flare to make sure that nothing can create chafing or sores.

No Complaints: If at any point of the fitting, the animal shows signs of discomfort then you might not have found the right fit. Or maybe you need to readjust some parts. Never ride with ill-fitting equipment, as it can harm both of you in the process.

Top 11 Horse Saddles Comparison

Photo	Product	Type	Sizes	Gullet Options	Cantle	Rigging	Features	Price
Best Overall	1. Henri de Rivel Cahill Close Contact	Close Contact	16.5″ / 17″ / 17.5″ / 18″	Narrow / Regular / Medium / Medium Wide / Extra Wide	Low Height, Low Angle	Inskirt, Ring and Flat Plate	IGP System, Narrow Twist, Fully-covered Extra Forward Flap, Molded Knee Pads, Signature Stitching, Removable Pencil Knee and Thigh Blocks, 3 Billet Straps	Check Price
Best for Larger Riders	2. Henri de Rivel HDR Memor-X Close Contact	Close Contact	14″ / 15″ / 15.75″ / 16″ / 16.5″ / 17″ / 17.5″ / 18″ / 18.5″ / 19″	Regular / Wide / Extra Wide	Low Height, Medium Angle	Inskirt, Ring	Narrow Twist, Padded Forward Flaps, Knee Blocks, Signature Stitching on Flaps, 3 Nylon reinforced Billet Straps	Check Price
	3. Henri de Rivel Lumina Close Contact	Close Contact	16″ / 16.5″ / 17″ / 17.5″ / 18″ / 18.5″ / 19″	Regular / Wide	Low Height, Low Angle	Inskirt, Ring	Narrow Twist, Padded Forward, Signature Stitched pattern on Flaps, Concealed & Removable Knee and Thigh Blocks, 3 Nylon reinforced Billet Straps	Check Price
Editor’s Choice	4. Wintec Full Quarter Western	Endurance	15″ / 16″ / 17″	Regular / Wide	High Height, Low Angle	On-Tree, Double Ring Plate	Low Maintenance, Quick Change Buckles, Weatherproof, Hard-wearing EZ-Fold Pheonix Style Fenders, 3″ Horn, Equisuede Seat, 7 Position Adjustable Stirrups	Check Price
	5. Acerugs 10784 MM Western TACK	Western	15″ / 16″ / 17″ / 18″	Regular	High Height, High Angle	On-tree, Double Ring Plate	Rounded Skirt, Headstall, Reins, Breast Collar, Hand-Carved Tooling, Leather Stirrups, Ties, O-Rings, Nylon Reinforced Leather Cinch Straps, Fleece Padded Underskirt, Padded Seat, Adjustable Blevins Buckles, Back Crupper Ring	Check Price
Best for the Money	6. King Series Braden Trail	Western	15″ / 16″ / 17″	Regular / Wide	High Height, Low Angle	On-Tree, Double Ring Plate	Low Maintenance, Quick Change Buckles, Weatherproof, Hard-wearing EZ-Fold Pheonix Style Fenders, 3″ Horn, Equisuede Seat, 7 Position Adjustable Stirrups	Check Price
Best for Beginners	7. Australian Outrider Outback	English, All Purpose	17″ / 18″	Extra Wide	High Height, High Angle	On-Tree, Double Flat Rings	Air Tunnel in Tree, Horn, Floral Stamping, Brass Hardware, Rear Flank Billet, Front Cinch, Pheonix Style Fenders	Check Price
	8. EquiRoyal Comfort Trail	Endurance	18″ / 19″ / 20″ / 21″	Wide	High Height, High Angle	Inskirt, Flat Ring	Padded Seat, Rings for Trail Luggage, Dot Embellishments	Check Price
	9. Mustang Soft Ride	English, All Purpose	14″ / 15″ / 16″	Versatile	High Height, High Angle	Versatile	Adjustable Handle, Removable Stirrups, Stainless steel Hardware, Easy to clean	Check Price
	10. Buffalo Outdoors 16 In. Western	Western	16″	Wide	High Height, Medium Angle	Inskirt, Double Flat Plates	Hand Tooled Floral Pattern, Headstall, Breach Collar, Reins, 6 Ties with Silver Conchos, Skirt with Stainless Steel Rigging, Polymer Stirrups, Pheonix Style Fenders	Check Price
	11. King Series Synthetic Trail	Endurance	11″ / 13″ / 14″ / 15″ / 16″	Regular / Wide	High Height, High Angle	Inskirt, Ring and Flat Plate	Silver Conchos, Adjustable Padded Stirrups, Shock-absorbing, Scratch-resistant Skirts and Fenders (Pear Style)	Check Price

1. Henri de Rivel Cahill Close Contact

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The product that starts off our list comes from the well-known brand, Henri de Rivel. This beauty has a sleek and compact look to it thanks to the all-leather exterior that comes in two color options, either Havana with Red trims along the seat’s contour or Black with Blue trims. Its purpose is for activities like jumping or eventing, and it’s made to take you and your horse on a safe and comfortable journey, no matter the obstacles. The aspects that make it jump-appropriate are the close contact type, the medium-deep seat that allows you to sync your movements to those of your horse, and the double inskirt rigging, coupled with billets, that allows for a snug fit.

Build Details & Materials

The Cahill comes in 4 different sizes, and because it has the IGP System you can easily switch between a narrow, regular, medium, medium wide, or an extra-wide gullet to match a semi-quarter or a full-quarter horse in order to keep them relaxed and comfortable at all times during rides. Other than the previously mentioned leather exterior, the materials used are polymer for the tree and high-density foam to keep the molded panels cushioned. The total weight is around 20 pounds (depending on the size you choose), and the pencil knee and thigh blocks can be removed for convenience.

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2. Henri de Rivel HDR Memor-X Close Contact

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Our next one is the Henri de Rivel Memor-X, which is a top pick for larger riders thanks to its size options. It goes from 14″ up to 19″, giving you a total of 10 sizes to accommodate any height or age category. Other than that, shape-wise you can get a regular, wide, or extra wide gullet and it can suit either a semi-quarter or a full-quarter horse. It is another close-contact type, with a deep seat, making it appropriate for dressage as well, and depending on the size you choose, it will come to a weight of about 17 pounds.

Materials & Features

The tree of the Memor-X is made of polymer and the panels have a high-density foam filling. All these are enclosed in stunning, Australian Nut-colored, grippy leather that covers everything from the seat to the panels and, combined with the signature stitching, it gives the gear an overall professional look and feel. It has padded forward flaps, knee blocks made of memory foam, ring rigging, and billet straps that are reinforced with nylon to be long-lasting. For peace of mind, this model comes with a lifetime warranty on the tree. A model with even more versatility regarding the gullet size is the Mustang Soft Ride which can be molded perfectly onto almost any horse.

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3. Henri de Rivel Lumina Close Contact

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Moving further with another contender from HDR, this model has the same polymer and foam composition in the tree and panels, all covered by leather that comes in two colors, Oak Bark or Havana, and is bound together using the HDR signature stitching. The sizes go from 16″ to 19″, all but the latter having a .5 version, too. The gullet shapes to choose from are regular or wide, fit for a full-quarter horse, and the seat is medium-deep with a close contact skirt, perfect for use with any jumping discipline. Where weight is concerned, you can expect a product of approximately 20 pounds, but it obviously varies depending on the size you pick.

Features

The Lumina comes with a narrow twist for those who don’t like to spread their legs too far, forward padding to keep your horse safe from backaches, concealed knee and thigh blocks that can also be removed if needed, and billet straps that are reinforced with nylon to be more resistant. Again, the warranty is lifetime-assured on the tree so that you can go on plenty of rides without a worry.

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4. Wintec Full Quarter Western

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Our next model is from Wintec, and it’s actually our pick from this list. It switches up the pace by being an endurance type, meant for long rides. For this reason, there are a few aspects about it that can make your experience more comfortable, including two gullet shape options – regular or wide, a medium seat slope to lower the risk of pressure points, a high cantle for more back support, and for extra grip options it has a Cheyenne roll, a 3-inch horn, and a suede seat. It comes in 3 sizes, 15″, 16″, or 17″, and it fits a full-quarter horse.

Build Materials & Adjustability

This Wintec horse riding gear has a tree made of microfiber polyurethane and fleece-filled panels for added comfort. The upholstery that covers it all around is Dura leather, which is a type of bonded leather, and it comes in two color options, black or brown. The combination of all these materials makes it low maintenance and weatherproof, and the size options bring the product weight to an average of 21 pounds. The rigging is on-tree, with a double ring plate and a ⅞ position. Other adjustable features include quick change buckles and stirrup positions. If your trails happen to be more tiring, you might find the Acerugs 10784 MM Western TACK to be a more suitable choice.

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5. Acerugs 10784 MM Western TACK

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A Western type, the Acerugs model sports a beautiful build with intricate flower details done by hand to accentuate the Western feeling. Speaking of, this saddle allows for Western ties seeing as it comes with on-tree rigging and a plate with two rings. This leather-crafted piece combines wood and fiberglass for a sturdy and time-resistant tree and fleece padding for the panel, the underskirt, and the seat. Although the fleece isn’t on the surface of the seat, it makes for a comfortable sitting area thanks to the high cantle and slope.

The gullet is regular and together with the bars, they allow for a match with a full quarter horse that can fit one of the four sizes the 10784 MM comes in, namely 15″ to 18″. The swell fork and the raised pencil roll will offer you multiple options to grab onto during your rides, but, know that this model also comes with a tack set including a headstall, reins, and a collar to help adjust the position according to your stallion’s build. The skirt is cut so that it will offer a good fit for those with shorter backs. Weight-wise it can be a bit too much, as it comes up to 25 pounds, so make sure that it won’t cause any inconveniences.

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6. King Series Braden Trail

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If you’re looking for a good product that can serve you well and that is also budget-friendly, this King Series piece should make a fine choice. The Braden is a Western type as well and it’s made to see you through several years of long travels, thanks to its sturdy fiberglass tree coupled with an allover tough leather build, for which you can choose one of the 3 colors available. The size options are generous, as they range from 10″ to 17″, making them 7 in total with an average weight of 23 pounds. Its look is similar to those from the old movies, with silver embellishments, antique conchos, and plenty of floral tooling.

Shape & Adjustability

Because of the medium shape of the gullet, this gear would be more suited to semi-quarter horses. The slope is higher than our previously mentioned endurance model, so it might be an issue if you prefer lower slopes for long trails. Fork-wise it has a swell type, the cantle has a low height with a medium angle, and together with the suede seat, it makes for a proper grip during your rides (the Cheyenne roll also adds to the grip options). The rigging for the Braden is an inskirt type, and you can also adjust the stirrups to your liking. Accessory-wise, the package also includes a browband headstall and split reins, all for a great price.

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7. Australian Outrider Outback

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For those who are aspiring riders, but have never bought this type of product before, the Australian Outrider might just be of interest. This gorgeous piece is an all-purpose type, meaning that you can use it for just about any activity that a beginner will need to focus on during the first few months of riding. It comes in two sizes, 17″ or 18″, which are perfect for covering the average adult size. Where materials are concerned, the tree is a fiberglass build with an air tunnel to maximize the horse’s comfort, the panels are filled with fleece, and everything is covered in black-colored leather. The fork comes in the swell style and the gullet is extra wide, but the manufacturer recommends it for semi-quarter horses.

Beginner-friendly Aspects

Other than the size and type, the aspects that make the Outback a good choice for those who are at the beginning of the road are: the cantle’s height and angle; both high to properly support your back, the fenders which are meant to keep your legs from creating friction on your horse’s sides, and the on-tree, double flat ring rigging style that can allow for Western or Centerfire tying positions to give you the best support during your learning days.

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8. EquiRoyal Comfort Trail

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EquiRoyal is the next manufacturer on the list, and their piece has a look similar to that of the first few on this list, but there are build exceptions regarding the type, leather quality, and embellishments on top. First off, the Comfort Trail is an endurance type, suitable for heavy-duty use (as you know by now), and the name ‘Comfort’ comes from the padded seat that can prove itself comfortable in the long run, and it also has a rhomb pattern stitched on top for added grip. A somewhat downside regarding the leather build is that, at first, it is quite stiff, and breaking it in requires more time and attention, as compared to those mentioned previously.

Regarding the shape, you’re looking at a wide gullet, suitable for a full-quarter horse, a shallow seat slope with a high cantle, and an A-fork, all put together in a piece that comes in 4 sizes, with an average weight of 23 pounds. The rigging style is an inskirt type with a flat ring, the tree has conchos with rings on which you can attach bags, and, for a subtle sprinkle of style, it has several golden embellishments on top.

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9. Mustang Soft Ride

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A fun, all-purpose saddle for those looking to add a bit more freestyle into their ride time is the Mustang Soft Ride. The things that make it fun have to do with its structural build, its materials, and a few other things, so let’s get into detailing.

Build

With this particular model, there is no tree in the structure; therefore it can easily be molded onto any horse. Going off this fact, the gullet shape is versatile, the fork is an A-style, the seat slope is shallow, and the cantle height and angle are high to give you that extra bit of support. It’s made entirely of closed-cell foam, with synthetic materials for the straps, and all its hardware is stainless steel. What this means is that you could choose to go through a shallow body of water and have no worries if it touches the piece, plus, maintenance is easier as it doesn’t absorb moisture, so it won’t take long to clean it. Both you and your horse will feel comfortable since you’ll be well supported and the piece only weighs around 6 pounds.

Features

When it comes to the color, the Mustang only comes in black, so there’s no variety there, and its style is pretty basic and neat, but the versatility in rigging, the adjustable handle, and the removable stirrups make up for what it lacks in the looks department.

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10. Buffalo Outdoors 16 In. Western

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The Buffalo model is the only one on this list that comes in just one seat size, specifically 16″. For a Western type with more than one size option, go back to the King Series Braden Trail. It has a swell fork and its gullet is wide-shaped, but it is specified that it could fit a semi-quarter or a full-quarter horse. It is yet again an endurance type with a proper cowboy look to it, thanks to the chestnut brown color and hand-carved flower and leaves pattern that can be seen everywhere but on the seating area, which has a suede surface for an optimal grip when you mount and ride. Other aspects of the seating area are a medium slope, a high cantle with a medium angle, and a Cheyenne roll, which can be used to hold onto in case you have to.

Its construction consists of a tree made of fiberglass, panels lined with fleece, and a third material, which is also the prevalent one, leather. With the double flat plate inskirt rigging, you can go for the Western-style tying positions and you also get in the package a headstall, a breach collar, reins, stirrups, and 6 ties with silver conchos for any bags you might need to take on the road.

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11. King Series Synthetic Trail

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The last one on this bunch of reviews is a second King Series model, an endurance type if we take the name into account. It comes with more modest dimensions, compared to the others, therefore with a smaller average weight of 18 pounds. There are 5 sizes available and they are more accommodating to children or small adults, so, if you are particularly big or tall, this one might not be the best option for you. The gullet options are regular and wide, with a swell fork, making it a match for semi-quarter steeds. Your seating area has a medium slope with a high cantle and suede upholstery for a secure grip.

It’s called the Synthetic Trail because its rawhide tree is covered by a synthetic material called neoprene. It has a double inskirt rigging and other useful features include conchos, adjustable stirrups, and the shock-absorbing and scratch-resistant qualities of the skirt and fender materials. The color options are quite varied (as opposed to the previous models), allowing you to get a full brown, full black, or black combined with either pink, purple, or turquoise.

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Types of Trail Riding Saddles

When you’re thinking of mounting your horse with the purpose of trail riding, the saddle you choose must also match your needs to be able to provide the best experience for the both of you, leaving no room for sore backs, chafed legs, or slipping off when you’re halfway there. For you to pick the best option possible, you must consider a few aspects beforehand, like:

How long is the trail?

What type of trail is it?

Do you prefer comfort over a secure strapping?

Do you have an energetic mare or stallion?

Is your horse in top shape?

 

6 Types To Pick From Depending on the Difficulty Level

 

Type	Difficulty	Explanation
English	Low	The English type is good for long trails that aren’t that much of a challenge thanks to its comfortable build and the fact that it allows you more freedom to move at the same time as the horse.
Close Contact	Low to Medium	The Close Contact type, although mainly used for shows, is good for short trails with plenty of jumping opportunities because it offers free movement out of the tack.
All-Purpose	Low to Medium	The All-Purpose type comes with added padding and will provide a good alternative for both short and long trails that don’t require too much effort.
Australian	Medium to High	The Australian type can take you through rough terrain with no problem while offering a more forward lean on the animal’s back.
Endurance	Medium to High	As the name implies, the Endurance type will endure a difficult trail, no questions asked. This type is also well suited for racing.
Western	High	The most popular pick for long and rough trail rides, the Western remains a favorite thanks to the high comfort, security, and convenience levels it offers.

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Buying Guide

As with every review, there might have not been enough detailing of each and every aspect, and even the smallest gaps could leave you wondering which model would be suited to your particular needs, which is exactly why we also have a buying guide section in these types of reviews. We’re here to make sure you have all the information you need, and even if it will be a while before you decide, there might be a chance that you’ll learn some new information to discuss with friends who share the same interest in horse riding and related gear.

Seat

With this kind of product, there are more defining elements of the seat than what first meets the eye, this being the reason why we will separate this aspect into a few elements:

Slope: When you’re looking at the seat from the side, the slope refers to the line that goes from the fork swell all the way to the cantle. It can come in one of 3 options, shallow, medium, or deep. What’s important about the type of slope you choose is that, when you’re riding, your body weight will rest at the point that’s the lowest. Shallow slopes tend to be appreciated by those who need more balance or who perform activities that imply a lot of movement.

Size: The sizing options range from very small, to very large to suit any rider, but you must remember that the slope and cantle can affect the way a size feels. A ‘cheat sheet’ you can use when you don’t know your size is:

• <14″ – Children
• 14″ to 16.5″ – Children or Small Adults
• 17″ – Average Adults
• 17.5″ to 18″ – Large Adults
• >18″ – Extra Large Adults

Padding: This is entirely up to you and how comfortable you need your seat to be. The options are no padding, some padding, and plenty of padding. Another detail that can be integrated here is the surface texture, because grainout leather, stitch patterns, or suede finishes can make a difference in the grip you have while riding.

Cantle

The cantle is the back of the seat that supports you when you’re sitting, similar to that of a chair. The elements that vary are the height of it, the angle at which it rests, and the type of roll it has behind (the style of the outer edge).

Height: With higher heights, you’ll get more support and security during movement, whereas with lower heights you’ll get a wider range of movement.
Angle: It goes hand in hand with the height. A straighter one gives more stability and a more tipped one allows you to move freely.
Roll: There are two styles of rolls that are the most common, and those are called Pencil or Cheyenne. A bonus that comes with the latter is the ledge that you can use as extra grip space.

Gullet Shape & Bars

These two parts are important because they dictate how the saddle fits and how comfortable it is for your horse. The bars sit on the inside, on either side of the horse, and they represent the structure. Bars are often referred to when manufacturers mention that the gear is ‘full-quarter’ or ‘semi-quarter’. The gullet is a piece that sits in the fork area and keeps the bars together. Having the wrong size combination for these two parts will result in pinched shoulders or pressure on the withers, meaning that your horse will not be happy.

Unfortunately, the sizing doesn’t have a set standard, thus there’s a chance that two ‘full-quarter’ pieces from different companies won’t fit a horse the same way. For this reason, it is always recommended to properly measure your horse before buying new pieces.

Rigging

Rigging is the one aspect that is quite complicated to visualize without having a photo in front of you to see the exact details, but we will try our best to explain it. It comes in two types, On-Tree or Inskirt, it can be single or double, and you can choose from several tying positions to get a secure fit on your horse.

On-tree: This type is also called conventional and it refers to the placement of the rings or flat plates through which you will feed the straps. In this case, the bulk of the rigging strap sits under your leg, but the good part is that if it breaks it’s very easy to repair or replace. Usually, on-tree is used for intense activities.
Inskirt: With this type, the rings or plates are on the skirt or built-in, in between the leather layers. The bulk under your leg is cleared, you get closer contact during activities, and it doesn’t call for straps to fit as tight as with the conventional type. The downside is repairment, as it implies the whole skirt. Usually, an inskirt is used for moderate activities.
Single: With a single ring or plate, there is no longer a need for a flank strap, as the whole gear is pulled in a center point.
Double – With double rings or plates, the cinch and flank straps are present so that there is more security, therefore intense activities can be performed safely.

Tying Positions:

• Full Western – for roping or uneven trails
• ¾ Western – provides maximum security for a single rigging position
• ⅞ Western – most used for trail
• Double-Dee Western Drop – sits lower to avoid any bulk under the leg
• Enduro-balanced Single – features a “Y” shape made from the added front to back straps for more security
• Enduro-balanced Double – an English girth strap and 2 billets are connected*
• Balanced English Billets – an English girth strap and 3 billets are connected*

*Last two positions require a saddle with billets, such as the HDR models on our list.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Conclusion

As a few final words, we will leave you with a couple of tips on how to do maintenance work and 5 short recaps on the pieces that fit special spots.

To keep your gear looking as good as the day you bought it, there are 4 steps you should take when cleaning it, but you also need to prepare it for the process. You do this by unfastening and detaching as many parts as possible to bring it to its simplest shape and by dislodging any heavier layers of debris and dirt that sit both on the inner and outer parts. Next, the 4 steps:

1. Cleaning – Do this in circular motions with a damp cloth or sponge and sparse amounts of soap or special cleaners. Target every nook and cranny, with the exception of suede upholstery or similar textures. Suede should be vacuumed, dusted, or brushed, and damp cloths are only allowed for cleaning difficult spots. Make sure to clean your cloth when it gets dirty to avoid pushing the dirt into the materials. Repeat this process as many times as possible.
2. Rinsing – Even if rinsing usually implies letting water run over an object, this time you should only use damp cloths or towels to clean the excess of soap. Check every spot, as we’re sure you don’t want to see any untimely deterioration caused by buildups.
3. Conditioning – After everything is cleaned and rinsed, you can go ahead and apply a bit of conditioner. It’s better to be sparser with it because oversaturation can lead to damage.
4. Attention to Details – As the body rests and soaks up the conditioner, it’s time to switch your attention over to the metal details. Clean the conchos, rings, plates, buckles, and any other details and, at the end, carefully apply polish on those that need it.

And now, here are the short recaps of the models that stood out from the rest:

Best Horse Saddle for Sale: Henri de Rivel Cahill Close Contact

This beautiful product has an incredibly soft and buttery leather exterior, but it can still keep you properly secured onto the seat. It is a close contact type that comes in 3 sizes with molded knee pads for your legs’ comfort. The most interesting aspect about this HDR model is that it has an integrated IGP System for you to easily adjust the gullet size until you get a perfect match for your horse. That together with the high-density foam panels allows for more movement on the horse’s back, thus making the whole ride more relaxed. And everyone knows that a relaxed horse makes for a relaxed ride.

Editor’s Choice: Wintec Full Quarter Western

Our favorite, the Wintec Western, has what it takes to capture anyone’s heart. Firstly, build-wise it has a fully fleece padded interior to keep your horse happy and a suede seat with a good height to keep you happy. The rigging style is on-tree with double rings, giving you tying options, and for extra grip, it comes with a 3-inch horn and a Cheyenne roll on the cantle. Secondly, it comes in 3 sizes and 2 gullet options, making it appropriate for a full-quarter horse. Other qualities are its lightweight, weatherproof materials, and adjustable stirrups.

Best Horse Saddle for Larger Riders: Henri de Rivel HDR Memor-X Close Contact

The usual size options you can expect to find are those that fit children and adults of average size. But what can be done about those in need of larger sizes? The HDR Memor-X is the model that can solve that issue seeing as it comes with an impressive number of sizes, specifically 10. The gullet on it also comes with 3 choices, meaning that both you and your horse will have found a great fit. Other special features worth mentioning are the light weight, nylon reinforced billets, and the memory foam padded knee blocks that guarantee a comfortable ride.

Best Horse Saddle for Beginners: Australian Outrider Outback

When you’re at the beginning of a new road, not everything is as obvious and that’s why not many new riders know what type of gear is best suited to them. The things to look for are a good, supporting cantle, double rigging for increased safety, wide fenders with stable stirrups, a horn to hold onto, and a comfortable fit for both rider and steed, so that your horse is in the best mood during your lessons. All those qualities plus a reasonable price range are wrapped up in a pretty package called the Australian Outrider Outback.

Best Horse Saddle for the Money: King Series Braden Trail

For long and frequent trail rides you would need a good, sturdy piece of equipment that could last a long time. Usually, that type of equipment would cost an arm and a leg in the horseback riding world, but, fortunately, you don’t have to spend that much because the King Series Braden Trail has a durable fiberglass and leather build, 7 size options, double inskirt rigging, conchos with ties, a suede seat, and many other features for only a couple hundred dollars.