English Saddle – Introduction
The English saddle began to be manufactured in the 18th century. The English saddle was used for fox hunting in England. These riders and hunters demanded a lighter saddle to better overcome difficult terrains, as the traditional one was very heavy.
English saddles for horseback riding are lightweight and seemingly elegant, providing horses with a great deal of freedom during exercise and offering total comfort to the rider.
There are multiple styles within the English saddle, which have evolved and been designed to meet the needs of each discipline and rider. For example, the English jumping saddle, English walking saddle, English racing saddle, English dressage saddle, and general-purpose saddle, among others. In our online saddlery, we will focus mainly on the last two saddle types (dressage and general-purpose) because they are in higher demand among our customers.
English saddles, in addition to being the element that connects the horse and the rider, must be securely attached to the horse’s back in a defined, stable, and balanced position.
They are fairly flat saddles with long panels and no knee rolls, which means the rider’s legs need to be positioned forward and supported by short stirrups. In general, they are very flexible horse saddles.
We want to highlight the different characteristics of general-purpose English saddles and dressage saddles.
General-Purpose English Saddle
This is the most commonly used saddle in the equestrian world, especially by beginners. It is an intermediate saddle between a dressage saddle and a jumping saddle. Lightweight and comfortable, with a seat that is in-between flat and deep, recommended for beginners and leisure riders.
Dressage English Saddle
This saddle has a deep and comfortable seat, with long and straight flaps. The main objective of this saddle is to achieve freedom of movement for our horse.
They usually have a flexible tree, long billets, and a short girth to prevent the buckles from bothering the rider.
They must provide good contact and stability to the rider, as well as comfort and freedom for the horse.
When choosing an English saddle, it is important to select the one that is suitable for our horse, rider, and activity.
If you would like more information or to purchase an English saddle, Curtisur offers personalized advice to assist you at all times.
