Anyone ridden in a western saddle?

Have to say I found them very comfortable :o
I spent 2 weeks on a ranch in Canada and was in the saddle at least 6 hours a day in the Caribou Mountains, riding at all paces.
Best holiday of my life :)
 
I've ridden Western in America and the saddles are very comfy (We went on rides that lasted the whole day so they have to be!!) but it puts you in a completely different position to english riding, I can't say the saddle will be very effective for english but if you're just hacking I doubt it would matter. Don't know how worth it it would be though.
 
I love mine, cheapo synthetic, not pretty but very comfortable and it fits all my horses, it is maintenance free and warm to sit on.

I do have leather saddles, both Western (collecting dust) and English (also collecting dust) all the horses take an English saddle too but only my daughter rides English nowadays. I haven't even sat on an English saddle for 5 years and I have no intention of doing so ever again - unless I happen to be jumping or hunting.

Why do I have a synthetic? Well, apart from not giving a toot about what anyone else thinks appearance wise, I have a frozen shoulder, swinging (note swinging, not lifting as you do an English one) a 30lb (and that's a lightweight one) leather saddle is completely beyond my range of movement, also my arabian mare is a 22 year old 14h stick insect, I am sure she appreciates a lighter saddle too. :D

I cheat with the cinchs and use the buckle end to cinch up ;)
 
Enfys - how do you size a western saddle? I'd love to get a synthetic one but have no idea where to start. I've ridden a few times at a local western stables and like the stability. Could ask them but feel a bit of a numpty :(
 
I have ridden in them many times. Comfort depends a bit on maker and quality. They are more secure as in prevent you from falling off easily but I have managed to bruise myself and even break my hand on that nasty horn. My horse is 17.2h so synthetic was the only option as the leather versions are extremely heavy. Getting off is a challenge - your foot stays in the stirrup! Horse likes it and sharer likes it ... I prefer English ;-)
 
They are like GPs, jumping, dressage etc, they need to fit you.

They also come in male and female fit so will look different in the front.

There a different types depending on which Western discipline ie reining, Western Pleasure, Barrel etc.

So its a bit like a Western rider asking if anyone has tried what they call over there an English saddle......

You have to try the right one and it still has to be the right one for your horse.

I would contact someone who rides Western to find out more before making an expensive decision.
 
I had a loan horse which was supplied with Western tack.

I found there were pro's and con's

Pro's
1. Comfortable
2. Secure

Con's
1. Can't do cinch up further once mounted - pain if your horse bloats
2. Horn gets in the way if you go under trees etc
3. Heavy to handle
4. Can't adjust stirrups when mounted. Difficult when you are on the ground!
5. No buckles, bits do up with leather (which breaks on occasion!)

I changed to English tack after a year, I didn't have any major issues when riding but my friend did, saddle slipped under belly whilst in canter (!), leather broke resulting in cinch coming loose........... made for some interesting times!
 
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