Saddle Help for Hunter Princess that is new to Trail riding!

[Crazy4aOTTB]

I’m a hunter princess that has meet a guy who trail rides. I have only been on a few trail rides with him but I really enjoy it and plan on doing alot more!

However I find that I am SOOOOO very uncomfortable in his western saddle! I feel weird with my legs just hanging down and not being able to get any real contact with my legs. I think I would be more comfortable in my English saddle. However my saddle cost me a big chunk of change and I’m hesitant to take it out on the trails where we go thru huge mud puddles and water.

I am so regretting selling my old saddle as it would have been perfect to use as an extra to keep at his place. Should I just look into finding a cheap english saddle or is there a different type of saddle that I’m not familiar with that is inbetween western and english?

All you experienced Trail riders HELP Me become more comfortable out there on the trails!!

[BeaSting]

I trail rode for years in an inexpensive no name AP saddle that I bought used. I felt more secure in it than in any western saddle at the time.

[Crazy4aOTTB]

I feel more comfortable in my english saddle than the western. Matter of fact on our first trail ride when we went to canter or as he says “run” I ended up dropping my stirrups and kinda put my legs up more like I would when I ride english. He almost fell off his horse he was laughing so hard!

[Flash44]

His saddle probably doesn’t fit you!

[SharonA]

Well, I don’t think mud and water will hurt your saddle if you clean it afterwards. Think of the weather in Ireland, Scotland, England. Their saddles seem to survive. I think your saddle can handle it, and you’ll be more comfortable, and so will your horse. You’ll also be able to feel your horse much better in an English saddle (in my opinion), which is helpful for sitting through those times when your horse is convinced that there is a pack of T. Rex dinosaurs hiding under that rock that you have walked past 100 times without prior incident.

[callidorre]

If you’re used to english and are comfortable and confident going english, just stick with an english saddle. I originally started out riding western and slowly switched over to english after I had been riding for a few years. I now dislike riding in western saddles. I can’t feel the horse under me as well, there’s so much extra bulk, and I feel like my legs are trapped. Certain saddles are worse for than others. Not bashing western at all, just personal preference in saddles. If you need another saddle, just for trails, probably depends on the type of trails you’ll be riding on. Mud and water splashes are fine if you keep up with tack cleaning. But, if you’re doing riding in the woods, your saddle could possibly get scraped by branches. I’ve never had an issue, but it is possible. I’ll throw out one lower priced decent saddle brand name for a suggestion. Thornhill. I’ve ridden in 3 of their different saddle styles and loved all of them. Very, very comfortable saddles. Leather isn’t as soft and nice/fancy quality as a higher end brand, but they are good saddles at a great price range. I’d love to have one of my own.

[jaybird660]

There are a lot of very comfortable trail saddles in which you can ride with a longer or shorter leg. It really depends on what your horse needs and there is quite a price range. Some are more padded than others. Some have a straighter flap, some more forward and all types of blocks and billet configurations, deeper and shallower seats. There is no reason to have to ride in a Western saddle if you don’t want to.

[SonnysMom]

I ride in my very expensive fully custom english saddle to foxhunt and trail ride. Where we foxhunt there is a lot of brush and scrub trees. I have never had any of my saddles scratched.

My horse LOVES to splash in the water in streams and lakes. He gets me and my saddle pretty wet. I just wipe it down when we get back to the barn. A little mud and water won’t hurt it if you take care of it. Trust me I don’t obsess over it. Just a quick wipe if I get it wet or muddy and every couple of months I give it a good cleaning.

Wintecs are a decent very light weight saddle if you do want to buy one to keep at the boyfriends.

[Bogie]

I wouldn’t worry about water/mud. Cleaning your saddle after riding should take care of any issues.

But if you don’t want to risk it, a nice All Purpose saddle would likely do the trick. Look at some used saddles.

You might also consider a synthetic – The Thorowgood T8 is a synthetic saddle with leather overlay. It’s supposed to be very comfortable and also has an adjustable tree. They make an A/P and a jumping model.

When I ride in inclement weather I generally use a Wintec. I have an older model Pro Jump that I really like.

[GotMyPony]

As many problems with saddle fit as we see on COTH, I think I’d stick with your current saddle and clean it off after each ride, rather than trying to find an additional one. JMO.

[Guilherme]

If you’re comfortable in your current saddle then use it. Why spend money on stuff you don’t need?

G.

[Crazy4aOTTB]

Clarification: I am ridining one of his horses so my saddle would not be fit for his horse, although it would probably fit his horse just fine. Also the saddle I was riding in is his daughters saddle so I think it fit me pretty well.

I think im going to bring my saddle next time and see how it goes and if things continue to go well between me and the boyfriend, maybe look into a Wintec or see if I can find a used saddle like my old one to just keep at his place.

Thanks for the suggerstions! Now maybe I won’t feel stupid trail riding in an English saddle…doesn’t sound like its too uncommon.

[GotMyPony]

Now maybe I won’t feel stupid trail riding in an English saddle…doesn’t sound like its too uncommon.

If it makes you feel better, at least 90% of the trail riding in my area is done in an English saddle… and we’ve got tons of trails and trailriders.

[Frog_Pond]

I second the Wintec suggestion. Even the all-purpose has a deeper seat than what you’re probably riding in, and they’re cheap, comfy and durable. I find the dressage models the most comfortable for trail riding. Plus, they hose off! I have destroyed a nice jumping saddle in the woods – hunting in it – but I think the better reason to ride in a different saddle isn’t to preserve it – it’s to preserve you. H/J saddles are a tool for a different sport than trail riding. Give yourself the gift of a deeper seat :yes:

[wendybird]

Ride in your regular saddle if it fits the horse. The horse will probably appreciate carrying a lighter weight!
Western saddles come in as many variations as english, especially as to ‘rider’ fit.

Men have different shaped pelvises to women- wider - and hence their saddle are wide across the twist. Some women who have wide pelvises can ride very comfortably, but most women need a narrower saddle for comfort over long time/distance.
There is a very good description of saddle fitting to the rider on the Schlesse website.

[hosspuller]

Many of my trail riding buds were a little unsure of my English all-purpose for the trail. They changed their minds after a few logs across the trail at speed.

PS … after the horse rolled in the swamp mud with tack & me, A hose off and saddle soap cleaned the leather saddle right up. I still have grit in my Ariats.

[BasqueMom]

Another more comfortable and secure in an English saddle than a western except for one that I rode in many years ago. Bob Avila reining saddle that belonged to the folks who also owned the horses.

Some of the endurance type saddles look like a nice compromise.

[Albertabound]

[QUOTE=callidorre;7958953]
If you’re used to english and are comfortable and confident going english, just stick with an english saddle. I originally started out riding western and slowly switched over to english after I had been riding for a few years. I now dislike riding in western saddles. I can’t feel the horse under me as well, there’s so much extra bulk, and I feel like my legs are trapped. Certain saddles are worse for than others. Not bashing western at all, just personal preference in saddles. If you need another saddle, just for trails, probably depends on the type of trails you’ll be riding on. Mud and water splashes are fine if you keep up with tack cleaning. But, if you’re doing riding in the woods, your saddle could possibly get scraped by branches. I’ve never had an issue, but it is possible. I’ll throw out one lower priced decent saddle brand name for a suggestion. Thornhill. I’ve ridden in 3 of their different saddle styles and loved all of them. Very, very comfortable saddles. Leather isn’t as soft and nice/fancy quality as a higher end brand, but they are good saddles at a great price range. I’d love to have one of my own.[/QUOTE]

I used to have a Thornhill, but had to sell it because it didn’t fit my horse well. My friends were fighting over it because they all liked it so much!

[511]

Get comfortable riding western unless you are bringing your own horse to ride.

I wouldn’t be happy if someone I invited out to ride, brought a saddle that wasn’t fitted to my horse that I provided for the guest to use. It is borderline rude and if his horse winds up sore… well let your mind come up with scenarios.

[trailpal]

It might be that his saddle is just way too big for you. Does anyone there have a more suitably sized Western saddle for you? A western-trained horse is not going to understand the same cues you use for an English horse. So while your legs should not be dangling, you won’t be using them the same way. Just another thought.