Understanding Dressage, Jump, Close Contact, and All Purpose Saddles and Which is Right for You

Saddles are an important part of owning and riding a horse. Even if you like to ride bareback, it is valuable to have at least one saddle on hand for particular riding scenarios, or so other people can enjoy riding your horse as well. Finding the right saddle is an incredibly difficult task because of how many different types of saddle there are, and how many different brands are available on the market, each providing several options for each type of saddle.

With so much to choose from, it can be easy to dismiss some of the differences. Not understanding the differences is a terrible strategy, as manufacturers design saddles for specific horse owning or riding purposes, and you should choose the best one for your particular equine activity. If you are considering purchasing a saddle, you should make sure that the saddle you choose is appropriate for the style of riding that you or others who might use it prefer. In short, it is important to learn a little bit about dressage, jump, close contact, and all purpose saddles before making a decision.

When Buying a Saddle, Always Consider How it Will be Used and Who Will Use It

The two primary factors to keep in mind when shopping for saddles is who is going to use it, and the type of riding you are intending. When thinking about who is going to use it, consider how skilled each rider is. For casual riding and learning for beginners, either dressage saddles or all purpose saddles are likely to be a good fit. All purpose saddles are what they sound like, saddles that are designed to be used for any purpose. Consider, though, that while all purpose saddles do technical work fine for everything from riding to jumping, they do not excel in any individual area.

If you are a beginner, an all purpose saddle is an excellent choice. However, dressage saddles offer increased security and stability, and will provide a smoother ride for most people. If you are intimidated by the idea of jumping or racing and do not see this on your immediate horizon, dressage saddles will be a better choice. If you are interested in pursuing jumping, you should consider jump saddles or close contact saddles. These are specifically designed to be safest and most comfortable for that particular activity.

Where to Find the Saddles You Need Online

If you do your research and know what you want, ordering your saddles online can be a real money saver. At Equestrian Central, we seek to provide saddles of all kinds at a minimum of five percent below their retail rate. As a result, if you know what you want to get out of your saddle, consider purchasing them online through our website so you can take advantage of our unique discounts within the industry. Check out our website to find the best deals.