Beginners Guide To Horses

Starter Saddle Package Set

When you are first learning to ride, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of money on saddles and other tack.  The good news is that you can purchase cheap saddles that are sold in packages or sets.  For English riding disciplines, you can typically find four different kinds.  All purpose, close contact, saddleseat and dressage.

The all purpose saddle was designed to allow riders to use one saddle over fences (jumping) and on the flat (walk, trot and canter or equitation) as is the case with riders who do eventing. This kind of saddle has a deep seat with a long, but slightly forward knee flap. The knee flaps usually have some padding under the leg, to provide support over fences. This type of saddle is meant to be a compromise between a dressage saddle and a close contact saddle.

The jumping saddle, typically known as a close contact saddle, is used for hunt seat, jumping,  equitation and foxhunting.  He has a forward-cut knee flap that allows the rider to use a shorter length stirrup.  The knee flap typically has padded knee rolls to provide support while jumping.

Dressage saddles have a very straight knee flap that accommodates the longer leg position of a dressage rider who does not jump. The seat is deeper than that of a jumping saddle, which allows the rider to relax to best influence the horse.  There usually isn’t much stuffing in the panels, so the rider can maintain a closer feel with her horses.

The Saddle seat saddle is typically used on the gaited and high-action breeds of horses including  the Tennessee Walking Horse Missouri Foxtrotter and Saddlebred,.

The seat of this saddle is long and places the balance of the rider farther back. Riders use very long stirrups like the dressage rider, but the seat places the rider’s center of gravity further back than in other types of disciplines, but still  balanced under the horse.

English starter saddle packages can include a saddle, saddle pad, girth, stirrup leathers, stirrup irons, bridle, reins and a bit, but this can vary.  A saddle set may only include a saddle and girth.  So, be sure and read the fine print to see what is included in the set.  If all of the pieces are not there, you will have to purchase some pieces separately.

I have seen complete sets for around $200 – $350, but they can be higher depending on the quality of the leather.  Wintec also makes nice synthetic saddles, but they are not sold in sets and they can be a bit pricier.  One thing that is nice about the Wintec saddles, is that they offer an easy change gullet system, so the saddle adjusts to fit different sized horses.  Colligiate also makes saddles with this design.  This is nice if you have a horse that is still growing or one that is gaining weight, or if you need to use a saddle on different horses.  Keep in mind that the adjustment isn’t really meant to be changed frequently, so if you are going to be adjusting it several times a week, then this system isn’t practical.

If you are going to buy inexpensive starter saddle sets, check to make sure the construction is sound.  You don’t want compromise safety for a low price.