English Saddle
There are two different saddles available on the market today: English and Western saddles. How do they differ from each other? Which is much better to use? Many people really want to find out their difference. At the first glance, the most obvious difference is the presence of the horn on the Western saddle. Another very noticeable difference is the design of each saddle. Additionally, the English saddle is slightly lighter than the other. It is important for us to learn about their differences however, we shall confine our attention to the English one in this article.
An English saddle is a light one that is equipped with steel stirrups. The elasticity of the cinch is what makes this saddle desirable for many users. The design also permits stable attachment on the back of the horse without compromising the breath of the animal. The horseback rider must wear tall boots so that their legs will not be pinched since no fenders can keep the straps from pinching. This saddle is more widely used for show riding than hard riding. It can also be used as in regular riding. You can avail of general purpose saddle which can be used for regular and show riding.
The construction of the saddle is done on a laminated tree with steel reinforcements. Leather is the material used for the covering. Foam is used for the stuffing of the saddle to ensure the comfort of both the rider and the horse. This type of saddle is of the most trusted quality and comes in a wide selection of designs and styles. Not only does it serve its purposes but also make the horse look good. This saddle is also popular for being long- lasting with the durable materials it is made of. Another good thing about it is that it does not require high maintenance costs. It is so important for the saddle to fit the body of the horse. Therefore, you must be careful in choosing the most appropriate width for the saddle. The most widely used is the Medium or Regular tree width.
If you have obtained an English saddle for your horse, another thing you need to know about is the proper way of cleaning it every after use. Here are the instructions you need to follow. Put the saddle on a saddle rack so that you can hold it up while cleaning it. You need to have two clean sponges, a small pail filled up with warm water, saddle soap and leather dressing. Use the sponges to rub the saddle clean. Soap thoroughly the saddle all over. Subsequently, wash the soap off the saddle by rinsing it carefully under running water. Clean the same way the stirrup leathers. If there are areas that are tough to clean in the saddle, you can make use of your old toothbrush for scrubbing such areas. Apply conditioner or oil onto the leather while the latter is still damp for a better absorption.
Undeniably, saddles can be so costly for you. If you have limited budget, you should exert effort and spend time looking for inexpensive saddles. Nonetheless, if you want a long- lasting saddle, price should not be your first priority but quality. Inexpensive saddles might not be efficient in terms of providing the support necessary to evenly and effectively distribute on the back of the horse. Additionally, you ought to take into consideration the durability of the stitching as it contributes to the longevity of the saddle.
After all, it is not the type of saddle you opt for that will matter most but the quality. Opt for the best quality to ensure the comfort and convenience of yours and more importantly, the horse.