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A saddle is one of the first pieces of equipment nearly all people purchase after they acquire a horse. It is a prime outlay; picking out and buying call for much calculation and understanding. The life span of most saddles is several times that of a horse, so give it a good deal of thought when choosing a saddle. The first step in selecting a saddle is to determine which style of riding you prefer. For many riders this may not be significant. The decision probably was made long before, and the horse purchased specifically for that style. For a novice, though, choosing the riding style may pose more of a problem. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages. Western or stock saddles tend to be large and heavy. They are difficult, if not impossible, for young people to manage. Nevertheless, they offer a great deal of security for a student. The thickness of the saddle and the amount of leather under the leg, knee and seat keep apart the horse from the rider. Western saddles are probably more versatile, rugged and durable than other styles. They are available in a broad assortment of designs and prices. Hunt-jump saddles are usually rather light and easily handled. Here, too, a wide variety of designs and prices is available. This sort of saddle permits the rider, in most cases, to ride nearer to the horse, to sense the horse and to communicate more readily with seat and legs. As a rule, these saddles call for additional instruction of the rider in developing a sure seat than with standard saddles. The saddles that are used to ride and showcase gaited or park horses, such as the Lane Fox saddle, are rather limited in use. They have lots of the benefits of the hunt-jump saddles — they are lightweight and allow ease of communication with the horse. Even so, they position the rider so far at the back of the withers that the sole means for the rider to be in balance with the horse is to have the horse considerably pulled in and working off its quarters. This type of saddle leaves the least amount of protection for the rider; any rider must learn to ride such a saddle properly. Dressage saddles are designed for accommodating women's ankle-length skirts. While they are utilized for other styles of riding, they are not preferred. The design of this saddle provides the rider with maximum ease of communication with the horse and holds the rider in complete equilibrium and form, whether the horse is highly collected or gently extended, all between the somewhat fine limits of tradition. There are several saddles intended for very precise roles other than those previously mentioned. These consist of side-saddle, trick saddle and special show or display saddle. These saddles are exceedingly definite in their design. Using them for whatever function other than their intended purpose should be discouraged. Safety, comfort of the rider and ability to maintain soundness of the horse must be considered before beauty or the desire for a unique design.
Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com
Ricky Hamilton is a researcher and writer working for www.saddleteam.com, where you can get all the best horse saddles at the best prices. Visit us for all your saddle needs.
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