Western saddles

  • Thread starter Thread starter 0
  • Start date Start date

0

Guest
I rode using a western saddle the other day for the first time. Is it just me, or does anyone else find them uncomfortable and really difficult? I have incomplete paraplegia and as a result can't use my left leg terribly well anyway, but the western saddle made it impossible. Is there a knack to it?

Apologies for being so negative!
grin.gif
 
If you are riding in a western you need to make sure the horse is really western trained as they should go off your body position and not your legs. You also need to make sure the western saddle fits you properly as if it has too wide a twist it will make putting your leg on more difficult.
 
Yes, that's more or less what I suspected. I shall ask if I can not ride using it again - awful thing!
grin.gif
 
I find it the most comfortable thing ever and OH refuses to ride anything else.

You need to have fairly straight legs and ride very relaxed - very different to english.

Mind you, Cairo's saddle is very large and it is more like being on a sofa.

Only thing I don't do is jump more than 2' - the horn is a bit off putting at anything bigger.

Everyone who has had a go on Cairo's western has said how comfortable it is - maybe you were not on a nice comfy one?
 
The type of saddle and whether it fits the horse does make a huge difference..unfortunately there are some truly horrible ones in the UK.
Getting technical, if the fenders (stirrup leathers) aren't attached to the tree in the right place, it can be difficult to ride with your leg in the right place which can affect balance and comfort.
However, it is worth having a couple more rides to see if you get used to it...I've got arthritis in my hips and found it difficult to start with, not least because a western saddle is wider across the waist.
Now I'm showing in western classes and did a clinic this spring where we rode for 3hrs a day.
One other thing - did you get any instruction? One of the hardest things for English trained riders to get used to is letting your seat move with the horse and not trying to hold your position. It took me six months with my very patient and obliging horse to work this out...canter is particularly uncomfortable if you try and sit still!
 
Done well western riding and training is great and the saddles very comfortable. Poor tack and insufficient help will make for a very miserable ride though. If you are interested in western riding it might be worth looking for a specialist western trainer. If not I would just ask for an english saddle next time (it was probably a crap saddle):-)
 
I rode western a couple of times, i found it uncomfortable but i was able to really move with the horse. I think you just have to get used to it, i was looking at buying a cheap western saddle back a long but i decided against it for some reason.
 
Thanks all. I think I probably got a not great saddle, for starters. I've had a very kind offer to try out a decent saddle on a decent horse, so I'll definitely keep an open mind. Thanks again
smile.gif
 
have you ever tried side saddle? My riding club arranged a "come and try it" session with an instructor from the sidesaddle ass. We were on our own horses and they were all very good. It was really good fun ( apart from the sore right buttock the next day!) and you dont use your left leg much. We are all going to have more sessions.
 
I have to say that I have a western saddle which is incredibly uncomfortable due to the fact that it's new, and so the leather hasn't been worn in yet...Is it a brand new saddle?
 
I find them very comfortable - both new and used, although some makes I prefer to others. You do need to find one that fits you as well as the horse.
If you go to a western show, at the trade stands, you will often see people sitting on the new saddles to check it fits them before trying it on the horse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top