The first and easiest question you need to ask yourself is “What kind of riding do I intend on participating in most often?” English and Western are the two most common, but there are so many different styles of riding out there that require a specific type of saddle. Please refer to our Saddle Glossary for the descriptions of various saddles if you need more direction in this area. This is also where having a friend that knows what they’re talking about may come in handy. Some days they can be know-it-alls, but when you need ‘em, they’re pretty darn useful!

Saddle fit for both you and your horse is very important, and is the next element you want to consider. If you only have one horse to buy for then I strongly recommend hiring a saddle fitter and having them fit the saddle to your horse. If your saddle doesn’t fit your horse it can cause both physical and mental problems. We’ve all seen horses that get grouchy when being saddled and many times it’s because of a poor saddle fit. But the biggest point to remember is the saddle that fit your horse 6 months ago may not fit the same now.  Horses will gain and lose muscle and body condition depending on their work level and nutrition. DON’T GET UPSET IF THIS HAPPENS!! Using different size pads or even having the saddle re-flocked will fix the problem.  You want to find a “good fitting” quality saddle not a “perfect” saddle. You can purchase a new or used saddle that’s around the size that you need and then have the saddle fitter adjust it for you. Another option is having a saddle custom made to fit your horse.  This can be expensive but is well worth if it’s in your budget.

You also want to find a saddle that fits YOU! A saddle that fits the rider will put them in the optimum position. The seat shouldn’t be too small that your spilling out over the cantle (that can put added pressure on your horses back), but you shouldn’t be swimming in the seat either. Ideally you should be able to fit a flat hands width between your bottom and the back of the cantle. The flap size on English saddles should also fit your leg length and coincide with the type of riding your going to be doing. If you have short legs (like me!) you’re going to want a shorter flap. The opposite is true for longer legged riders. If you’re going to be doing serious jumping and utilizing shorter stirrups I would advise a more forward flap so there’s still padding under your knee. Whereas dressage riders require a straight flap to accommodate their straighter leg position.

Once you’ve figured out the kind of fit you need you can begin looking at the materials available. Most saddles are made out of leather, but there are quality saddles offered that are made of synthetic materials. You’ll find these materials are lighter and more economical. Ultimately your choice of material is typically based on price and personal preference.

If you’re purchasing a Western saddle you will find that many of them come with added tooling and some decorative options. You’ll want to decide what kind and how much of that you want. Again, this is a personal preference.

Now you’re ready to go out there and find the perfect saddle for you and your horse. Don’t get overwhelmed! This is a lot of fun, and there are a lot of people out there that are more than willing to help you!