Monday, December 9, 2013

An Overview Of Gaited Horse Saddles For Sale

By Tiffany Gill


Gaited horse saddles for sale are cut to allow free movement of the shoulders and the hips. If your saddle is uncomfortable for your horse, or uncomfortable for you, invest in a saddle designed specifically for the narrower chest and higher withers of most gaited horses. These saddles are cut back in the front and are smaller.

Gaited horses are bred for their ambling gait. At least one foot is always on the ground making for a smooth ride. Some of the breeds that gait naturally are the Tennessee Walker, Walkaloosa, Saddlebred, Florida Cracker, Rocky Mountain, and the Missouri Fox Trotter.

A properly fitted saddle sits naturally on the back. The saddle tree sits behind the scapula, allowing easy and flowing movement. A well designed saddle comfortably distributes the rider's weight along the spine. Your equine vet or trainer can help you choose a good fitting saddle that will be comfortable for you and your horse.

The saddle should also fit the rider for comfort and balance. The shape and length of the seat affect the rider's fit. Women are more comfortable with a broad twist. Men usually prefer a moderate twist. A horse that isn't ridden regularly should carry no more than 20-25% of his body weight.

Fitting a saddle is like fitting a shoe to your own foot. And like shopping for shoes, sizes are not uniform between companies. Any animal with big shoulders and/or a prominent or high wither may be better fitted with a gaited horse saddle. Test the fit by placing the saddle on the horse's back without padding. There shouldn't be gaps around the withers or spine. If the tree isn't a good fit, don't remedy with extra padding. Trying to make an oversized saddle fit with extra padding is like buying an oversized pair of shoes and wearing extra socks.

Some features unique to these saddles are wider gullets with bars and twist angled to accommodate the longer shoulder reach and stride. Gullets are often higher so the withers won't be pinched. Smaller skirts keep the weight off the weaker portion of the back. Stirrups are hung in an equitation position to keep the riders weight more centered. They can be designed for English or Western trail riding.

White hairs under the saddle, uneven sweat patterns, and uneven muscling, are all signs of a poorly fitting saddle. Fitting problems are sometimes mistaken for behavior problems. A horse suffering from an incorrectly fitted saddle may dance and nip to resist saddling and mounting. Swishing the tail and lowering the head while being ridden are signs of discomfort. Difficulty maintaining a smooth gait and slow response to rein and leg cues are often the result of a poorly fitted saddle.

Many online web sites offer saddle fitting advice. Many will send forms so owners can determine what tree will be the correct fit. Check the return of exchange policies. If you're confident about what you want, many online sites offer used saddles for sale. Local tack stores may also have gaited horse saddles for sale, offer custom design and modifications, and help with fitting.




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