How to choose the right saddle for you and your horse
A basic guide to choosing the right saddle for you and your horse
1 – Decide what type of riding you want to do
Eg. Dressage, Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Jumping, Kids Rides, Racing, Showing, Trail Riding, Western
2 – Decide on your budget and your level of experience
If you are just starting out in your chosen riding discipline you can choose an entry level saddle.
If you are levelling up in your discipline you might want a better quality saddle with more advanced, specific features.
This will also depend on your budget.
3 – Get the best fit for your horse
If you don’t have your own trusty saddle fitter that you use, please contact us and we can recommend some.
If there is no saddle fitter in your area and you would like some guidance, please contact us.
We will need photos of your horse, standing on level ground, from the front, back and side.
This is so we can estimate:
- Length of back
- Height and width of the wither
- Width of the shoulders
This a good starting out guide
In English style saddles and McLellan style saddles we have narrow, medium, medium wide and wide wither fits.
Below is a list of saddles with the suited disciplines:
Bareback Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Bareback Sheepskin Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Kingston Jumping
General Riding, Jumping, Showing
Dressage Kingston
Dressage, Showing
Discovery Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Discovery Kit Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Exercise Leather Solo
Racing
Exercise Leather Fitted Solo
Racing
Exercise Synthetic Solo
Racing
Exercise Synthetic Solo Fitted
Racing
Whitaker Bedale GP Jump
General Riding, Jumping, Showing, Dressage
Solo Adjustable Close Contact
General Riding, Jumping, Showing, Dressage
Solo Adjustable GP
General Riding, Jumping, Showing, Dressage
Lane Fox Professional
Showing
Mclellan Leather Solo
Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Mclellan Fibreglass Solo
Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Mclellan Starter Kit Solo
Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Mclellan Fibreglass + Panel Solo
Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Miniature Bambi Fitted
Kids Rides, Showing
Pony Solo
Kids Rides, Showing
Pony Pad Cotton Solo
Kids Rides
Pony Pad Suede Solo
Kids Rides
Race Solo Fitted
Racing
Starter Kit Solo
General Riding, Jumping, Showing, Farm Riding
Starter Kit Solo Upgrade
General Riding, Jumping, Showing, Farm Riding
Stockman Solo Fitted
Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Trail Commando Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Trail Safari Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Endurance Clover Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Endurance Clover Solo Set
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Trail Endurance Leather Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Trail Featherweight Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Trail Featherweight Solo Leather
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Trail Featherweight Solo Wide
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Trail Featherweight Solo Leather Wide
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Trail Child Suede Solo 14"
Kids Rides
Trail Child Colour Solo 14"
Kids Rides
Trail Overlander Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Trail Overlander Wide Solo
Endurance, Farm Riding, General riding, Trail Riding
Western Jesse James
General Riding, Trail Riding, Western
Western Apache
General Riding, Trail Riding, Western
Western Solo
General Riding, Trail Riding, Western
If you are choosing a McLellan style saddle please see below wither fits.
Standard (Medium):
Mclellan Leather Solo
Mclellan Fibreglass Solo
Mclellan Starter Kit Solo
Mclellan Fibreglass + Panel Solo
Trail Safari Solo
Trail Featherweight Solo
Trail Featherweight Solo Leather
Trail Overlander Solo
(The above saddles can all be made narrow on request)
Medium Wide -
Discovery Solo
Discovery Kit Solo
Trail Commando Solo
Endurance Clover Solo
Endurance Clover Set
Endurance Leather Solo
Wide –
Trail Featherweight Solo Wide Fit
Trail Featherweight Solo Leather Wide
Trail Overlander Wide Solo
(These saddles are specially made to fit wide shouldered, low withered horse breeds. Eg. Arabs, Friesians, Appaloosas, Percherons)