| While there are many different types of riding the | | | | saddle will have something called security. This is what |
| world over, the most basic are English riding, and | | | | surrounds and helps support the Western saddle tree. |
| Western riding. Each of these types of riding means a | | | | It's important that this scurrying on your Western |
| different type of saddle. There are Western saddles | | | | saddle be in good condition. If you notice that it's turning |
| for Western events, and English saddles for English | | | | up on the corners, or if you notice that when you sit |
| events. The saddles are specialized within each of | | | | the leather bulges outward, it's not offering the support |
| these distinct styles of riding. | | | | it should. Instead, the whole saddle tree is bearing your |
| An English saddle is quite a bit smaller and lighter than | | | | weight. So make sure if you're going to ride in a |
| most Western saddles. You'll find that they have steel | | | | Western saddle that it is in good condition and that the |
| stirrups, do not have fenders to protect your legs from | | | | leather is heavy enough to support the tree. |
| the straps, and that they have an elastic cinch. If you | | | | Of course, most people are aware, that English |
| are not thoroughly familiar with an English saddle and | | | | saddles don't carry a horn. All Western saddles or |
| how it should fit your horse, you should seek out a | | | | most of them anyway due carry a saddle horn. |
| professionals help. The same can be said for cinching | | | | Originally, this was often used for roping events, but in |
| up your English saddle, it needs to be tight enough to | | | | today's world of barrel racing, cutting and reigning, the |
| hold the saddle in place, and yet the elastic allows your | | | | horn is also used to help the rider stay balanced. |
| horse to breathe. Also, you need to learn how to ride | | | | You'll also find other types of saddles. You'll find an |
| English so that your straps on the stirrups do not pinch | | | | Australian saddles that come with or without a horn, |
| your legs, this is one of the main reason that English | | | | and are sort of a cross between the American |
| boots are so tall. | | | | Western saddle and the English saddle. You'll also find |
| A Western saddle weighs quite a bit more than English | | | | saddles strictly made for endurance, these saddles are |
| saddle. Not only does it have fenders to protect your | | | | extremely light weight, durable, and distribute the weight |
| legs, but also have leather wrapped or raw hide | | | | evenly throughout the horses weight-bearing back |
| wrapped stirrups that are quite a bit wider at the foot | | | | muscles. |
| area than the English steel style. Also, a Western | | | | |