How to Use English Saddles?

English saddles are designed for riding horse under English riding discipline anywhere in the world. There is no limit for its use in any countries. It is not restricted to English speaking countries or England. These types of saddles are used in almost all the FEI equestrian disciplines and Olympic except for the recently permitted FEI events in equestrian reining and vaulting. Many of these saddles are designed to help in free movement of the horse while running, jumping and faster turns across rough, wrecked country of fences.

English saddles are designed in many styles for different uses like all purpose saddle, jumping saddle, dressage saddle, racing saddle, polo saddle, English showing saddle, sidesaddle and endurance saddle. The difference between every style of saddle is very small but they are significant.

• All purpose saddle or Eventing saddle

This saddle was designed to help the rider to use this both on the flat and over fences. It has a deep seat with a long and forward flap. The flaps contain padding under the leg for support while jumping.

Due to its less expensive rates, they are mostly used for the beginners. Usually, expensive saddles are labelled as Eventing saddles. These Eventing saddles have better balancing capacity and higher quality material used.

• Jumping saddle

The jumping saddle is also known by the name of “forward seat” or “close contact” saddle. This saddle is designed for use by riders who participate in the events like hunt seat equitation, show jumping, foxhunting, and stadium or cross-country phases of Eventing.

• Dressage saddle

A horse rider who uses only flat surfaces and do not have the necessity of jumping fences uses this style of saddle. It has a very straight cut flap, longer than a jumping saddle to accommodate the longer leg position of a dressage rider.

• The Saddle seat saddle

“Park,” “Lane Fox” or “Cutback” is the other names for the saddle seat saddle. It is a slight variation of the English show saddle. It is most oftenly used on the high action and gaited horses of the America.