Top Tips for Selecting the Perfect Saddle and Tack
For most horse owners, the saddle is probably the most significant investment after purchasing the horse, so selecting the perfect saddle and tack can be a success or a costly mistake. Our equestrian PR team has a wealth of expertise working with some of the biggest international saddlery brands, and they share their top tips in this equestrian blog for horse owners.
The Perfect Fit
The perfect saddle and tack fit your horse and are comfortable for them and you. Ignoring trends and fads, choosing a saddlethat fits your horse and that you can sit correctly and comfortably in is imperative.
Poorly fitting saddles can cause physical and mental problems in horses and will not help you achieve a harmonious relationship under saddle. A poorly fitted saddle can cause you to sit out of balance and create pressure points, affecting your horse’s way of going and causing back issues.
The Young Ones
If you have a young horse, choosing a saddle brand that allows for a wide range of alterations, such as Childéric Saddles are one of the best saddle brands as they will enable you to swap your saddle in for another, as your horse grows – an essential requirement for a growing youngster.
Choosing a saddle or brand that doesn’t allow scope for this could mean changing your saddle every few months, which is costly and can impact your horse’s training and progress.
Second Hand Saddles Or Brand New?
Factors such as your budget and horse’s conformation can impact your decision to shop around for a second-hand saddle or blow the budget on a new saddle for your horse.
Choosing a saddle for horses with high withers, big shoulders, and previous issues such as kissing spine can narrow your choice, so choose an expert in finding the best saddles for your horse.
Choose An Expert
Choose An ExpertAs creative equine marketing experts, we have had the pleasure of working with saddle designers directly, and the most important advice we can give you is to choose a saddle fitter who has been trained by the brand directly.
If your budget is on second-hand saddles, at least choose someone specialising in certain brands, as they will be familiar with the fit and suitability for your horse.
Excellent Customer Aftercare
Finally, if you’re investing thousands of pounds into a new saddle, ensure the customer service is equally as impressive. Do your research and ask your equestrian network for personal experiences before contacting the brand.
Every saddle brand will have some good and bad reviews but do the terrible reviews repeat themselves again and again with the same negative feedback? If so, this could be your warning to stay clear.
