The best saddle for trail riding? That depends!
Trail riding is a popular activity under the saddle. It’s pleasurable exercise for your horse and it can give you an adventure outside of the arena. If your saddle doesn’t fit you or your horse, your fun adventure can quickly become uncomfortable.
To ensure a safe and fun ride, you need a good riding saddle. This saddle should be comfortable, durable and fit your budget. Read on to learn more about our favorite choices.
Saddles for Horses and Men
A saddle’s proper fit
Saddles come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs. Don’t just choose a saddle based on its appearance, make sure it fits you and your horse.
The rider’s fit is a little easier than the horse’s. Saddles come in a wide variety of seat sizes - go to your local tack store and sit in as many as you can.
Besides determining your preferences, you will also be able to find your correct seat size, which will make the buying process much easier. Always try to test your saddle on an actual horse; the feel and comfort can vary from the plastic horse you may find at a hardware store.
To ensure the best possible fit for your horse, seek the help of a professional saddler.
If you want to check the fit yourself, place the saddle directly on the horse’s back and ask the following questions:
Does the saddle sit properly on the horse’s back?
Does the pommel extend a few inches beyond the withers?
Are the front panels of the saddle behind the horse’s shoulder blades?
Do the saddle panels touch the horse evenly on each side?
If you answered yes to these questions, add a saddle pad, replace the saddle and adjust it. Review these questions:
Is the lowest part of the seat in the middle of the saddle?
Is the channel between the panels of adequate width for the length of the horse’s spine?
Is the cantle level with or higher than the pommel?
If you answered yes to these questions, longe your horse at each gait. While lunging, watch for side-to-side, forward or backward movement of the saddle. Pay attention to the cantle. If it bounces, you can try a different saddle.
Get on your horse and go through each gait. At each gait, ask yourself if you are comfortable. Are you balanced? Is your horse comfortable with you in the saddle? If both you and your horse seem comfortable, you have found your saddle.
1. Acerugs Natural Cowhide Saddle
They made this saddle from 100% cowhide. It is a two-tone saddle that is pleasing to the eye. The saddle includes ties and conchos for adding panniers or other accessories.
Buy: Acerugs Natural Cowhide Saddle
2. Hilason Flextree Trail Saddle
They made this saddle of American cowhide. This dark brown handcrafted item is handmade. The Hilason saddle weighs 22 pounds.
Buy: Hilason Flextree Trail Saddle
3. Acerugs Cordura synthetic saddle
They made this black saddle of Cordura synthetic material. It has a nylon fastener on the edges to prevent tearing. It also has several attachment rings for panniers.
Buy: Acerugs Cordura synthetic saddle
4. Wintec Pro HART Endurance Saddle
This endurance style saddle is available in black. The synthetic material weighs 41 pounds. This saddle keeps horse and rider comfortable for hours on hard rides.
Buy: Wintec Pro HART Endurance Saddle
Frequently asked questions
Q: What are good saddles for horses with short backs?
Wintec saddles and Pegasus saddles are good for short-backed horses.
Q: What is the best saddle pad for trail riding?
For trail riding, you will want to invest in a high-quality saddle pad. The saddle pad can provide extra cushioning for your horse and provide more comfort. Look for a saddle pad that wicks away moisture to keep your horse comfortable for hours in the saddle. Check out this article for six highly recommended saddle pads!
Q: Do you need a breastplate to ride a trail horse?
Tinkers help keep your saddle in place. If you’re on a trail with difficult terrain or if you don’t know what’s on the trail, a flange can be helpful. If you’re on an easy trail and your saddle is snug, you don’t need a chest collar.
Q: Do I need panniers for hiking?
It depends on the type of riding you are doing. If you’re doing a short hike, you don’t need panniers. If you are doing a long hike or an overnight hike,
I suggest you bring panniers for your snacks, water and anything else you might need.
