Saddle differences?

alexis · 11-14-07, 04:50 PM

What is the difference between a English and an American saddle? Can someone tell me this? What is the reason you would use one or the other, is it all about comfort?

pumpkinflirt · 11-15-07, 08:50 PM

An American saddle? I can't say I've ever heard of an American saddle. I can think of a couple of different types of saddle but nothing every labeled as American. Here are a couple different saddles, perhaps you can identify which one it might have been.
Close Contact Saddle-English riding

Dressage Saddle-English riding

Jumping Saddle-English riding

Roping Saddle-Western Riding

Barrel Saddle-Western Riding

Australian Saddle

Side Saddle-English riding

Saddleseat Saddle-English Riding

Racing Saddle-English riding

ShortTail · 11-16-07, 10:53 AM

Those saddles are really good looking. From all this saddles, which is the best saddle to use on horse when you just want to ride for pleasure? And why is it that it has the English description? Are there any other countries, besides England and Australia, that have their names in the saddle description?

alexis · 11-16-07, 04:59 PM

I think I was trying to go for the ones I seen in old western movies, wasnt really sure if it had a name or not, so I gave it one?

Just a normal, none fancy, saddle I guess. This is not the best picture but I was thinking of the ones from movies I grew up watching with my mother, and she was a JW fan, so here you go.

waggy · 11-17-07, 05:37 AM

The saddles are really beautiful. I hope they are functional and comfortable as well. Where do u think is the best place to buy a quality and affordable saddle?

Thanks.

purpleparrit · 11-20-07, 02:46 PM

English is the type of riding, also called a discipline. So no, there probably aren't many if any other countries which have their names in the riding style. The Australian saddle is so named as it was created in Australia for riding in the outback.

The one you're thinking of from the old western movies is....you guessed it: western! Western saddles evolved from the work done with them, and many other countries who have cowboys that move stock have similar styles for that reason. Western riding as a discipline is the only one that is strictly American in evolution.

As for best for pleasure riding:western are a big favorite due to the structure and ability to add saddlebags for trail riding. The horn and high back also give an added feeling of security. For quality and price you ca look around online. However used tack bought through a consignment section of a tack store could be an even better choice depending on where you are. No matter where you buy your saddle you want to make sure you can easily return it if it doesn't fit your horse.

Rider · 11-21-07, 09:42 AM

So if my understanding is correct, only the Western Saddle has a horn of all saddles that are made. Am I right? If so, it is very easy to distinguish an American Saddle just by looking for a horn in a saddle.

horsegurl03801 · 11-23-07, 12:25 PM

A Western and Australian saddle both have horns. The "American" saddle is not actually called American, but a western saddle. It is most often square with large stirrups, a horn, and a raised seat with a high back. I've seen saddled from other areas of the world, such as Argentina, that also have horns, but you are less likely to see them used except locally or in a breed class for authenticity.

11-14-07, 04:50 PM	Saddle differences? Post #1 (permalink)
alexis Member Join Date: 08-10-07 Posts: 329 Images: 2	Saddle differences? What is the difference between a English and an American saddle? Can someone tell me this? What is the reason you would use one or the other, is it all about comfort?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar threads to Saddle differences?
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Differences in Bell Boots? Differences in Bell Boots?: I've been looking for a nice sturdy pair of bell...	iHorse	Essential Equipment	3	08-21-08 11:14 PM
Side saddle? Side saddle?: Does anyone ride side saddle anymore? I've never...	flatback_frannie	General Discussion	3	02-28-08 04:48 PM
Climate differences Climate differences: We are planning on moving for a few months to get...	beauty	Grooming and Health	4	01-14-08 03:54 PM
Parts of a Saddle Parts of a Saddle: I thought after seeing the discussion about types...	horsegurl03801	Essential Equipment	2	11-30-07 07:40 PM
Differences Between A Horse and A Pony Differences Between A Horse and A Pony: From what I know a pony is smaller than a horse...	crazyhorse	Developing a lifelong relationship	11	11-14-07 03:17 PM

More threads of alexis
Thread	Date	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cookout! Cookout!: The weather is amazing today and we are shooting...	08-29-08	General Discussion	1	08-29-08 03:25 PM
Last Movie Last Movie: That you have seen? This crazy household works...	09-29-07	General Discussion	16	03-31-08 09:52 AM
Today is the 31st Today is the 31st: Who has plans? Anyone going to dress their-selves...	10-31-07	General Discussion	2	10-31-07 10:35 AM
Ages Ages: I have been reading up on ages of various...	10-30-07	General Equine Discussion	1	10-30-07 09:53 PM
Random Facts Random Facts: I like to find interesting things, so I thought I...	10-15-07	General Equine Discussion	11	10-30-07 08:32 AM

Other threads in forum Essential Equipment
Thread	Date	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Getting Rid of Panty Lines Getting Rid of Panty Lines: While perusing May's edition of Horse Illustrated...	04-14-08	haute_ecole	11	07-19-08 09:20 PM
Hackamores Hackamores: I saw something different today and was curious...	03-11-08	Adelaide	1	03-11-08 08:20 PM
What's your favorite brand for tack? What's your favorite brand for tack?: What brand of saddle and halter do you use and...	01-25-08	sallyanna	1	01-27-08 10:48 AM
equipment you can't live without equipment you can't live without: As a horse owner, I know that some equipment...	01-19-08	gallopingjoe	1	01-22-08 07:56 PM
Favorite Brand of Breeches? Favorite Brand of Breeches?: I'm looking to purchase some new breeches with...	12-28-07	postit	0	12-28-07 09:51 AM

11-15-07, 08:50 PM	Saddle differences? Post #2 (permalink)
pumpkinflirt Member Join Date: 10-12-07 Posts: 50 Images: 3	An American saddle? I can't say I've ever heard of an American saddle. I can think of a couple of different types of saddle but nothing every labeled as American. Here are a couple different saddles, perhaps you can identify which one it might have been. Close Contact Saddle-English riding Dressage Saddle-English riding Jumping Saddle-English riding Roping Saddle-Western Riding Barrel Saddle-Western Riding Australian Saddle Side Saddle-English riding Saddleseat Saddle-English Riding Racing Saddle-English riding

11-16-07, 10:53 AM	Saddle differences? Post #3 (permalink)
ShortTail Member Join Date: 11-14-07 Posts: 29	Those saddles are really good looking. From all this saddles, which is the best saddle to use on horse when you just want to ride for pleasure? And why is it that it has the English description? Are there any other countries, besides England and Australia, that have their names in the saddle description?

11-16-07, 04:59 PM	Saddle differences? Post #4 (permalink)
alexis Member Join Date: 08-10-07 Posts: 329 Images: 2	I think I was trying to go for the ones I seen in old western movies, wasnt really sure if it had a name or not, so I gave it one? Just a normal, none fancy, saddle I guess. This is not the best picture but I was thinking of the ones from movies I grew up watching with my mother, and she was a JW fan, so here you go.

11-17-07, 05:37 AM	Saddle differences? Post #5 (permalink)
waggy Member Join Date: 11-03-07 Posts: 21	The saddles are really beautiful. I hope they are functional and comfortable as well. Where do u think is the best place to buy a quality and affordable saddle? Thanks.

11-20-07, 02:46 PM	Saddle differences? Post #6 (permalink)
purpleparrit Member Join Date: 11-14-07 Posts: 25	English is the type of riding, also called a discipline. So no, there probably aren't many if any other countries which have their names in the riding style. The Australian saddle is so named as it was created in Australia for riding in the outback. The one you're thinking of from the old western movies is....you guessed it: western! Western saddles evolved from the work done with them, and many other countries who have cowboys that move stock have similar styles for that reason. Western riding as a discipline is the only one that is strictly American in evolution. As for best for pleasure riding:western are a big favorite due to the structure and ability to add saddlebags for trail riding. The horn and high back also give an added feeling of security. For quality and price you ca look around online. However used tack bought through a consignment section of a tack store could be an even better choice depending on where you are. No matter where you buy your saddle you want to make sure you can easily return it if it doesn't fit your horse.

11-21-07, 09:42 AM	Saddle differences? Post #7 (permalink)
Rider Member Join Date: 10-01-07 Posts: 88 Images: 17	So if my understanding is correct, only the Western Saddle has a horn of all saddles that are made. Am I right? If so, it is very easy to distinguish an American Saddle just by looking for a horn in a saddle.

11-23-07, 12:25 PM	Saddle differences? Post #8 (permalink)
horsegurl03801 Member Join Date: 11-01-07 Posts: 25 Images: 1	A Western and Australian saddle both have horns. The "American" saddle is not actually called American, but a western saddle. It is most often square with large stirrups, a horn, and a raised seat with a high back. I've seen saddled from other areas of the world, such as Argentina, that also have horns, but you are less likely to see them used except locally or in a breed class for authenticity.

Saddle differences?

Equipment needed to make maintaining horses easier

Saddle differences?