Saddles

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Do you want to buy a high-quality saddle? We invite you to familiarize yourself with our offer. We are a manufacturer of equestrian accessories that are distinguished by their durability and precise workmanship. We offer saddles tailored to the anatomical features of horses, so that the ride is comfortable for both the animal and the rider.

A properly selected saddle for a horse evenly distributes the pressure on the horse’s back, which not only eliminates the animal’s discomfort, but above all does not adversely affect its condition and health. We know it perfectly well, which is why our saddles are designed with the utmost attention to detail and adaptation to the destination, i.e. the discipline you practice.

Saddles for sale , manufactured by our company, are covered by a two-year warranty on both material and workmanship.

How to fit a saddle to a horse?

A riding saddle must provide comfort and safety for both you and your animal. That is why the selection of equipment is so important. A properly adjusted saddle will help to avoid unpleasant health effects in the future.
In the case of horses, these consequences can include:

  • Worn hair in the place where the classic saddle is.
  • Damage, abrasions and even wounds on the skin.
  • More serious injuries to the spine area and therefore problems with movement.

How to avoid it and what should you pay special attention to when choosing a new saddle?

The most important criterion is the horse’s dimensions . Each horse is different, so you need an individual approach and the correct definition of the saddle dimensions that will suit him.

Here are the basic things to check:

  • Is the saddle lying behind the shoulder blades ?
  • Does the height of the panels keep the saddle above the ridge ?
  • Whether the width of the panels is sufficient and they do not touch spine ?
  • Is the spacing of the pommel appropriate and the saddle is not touching the back ?
  • Does the saddle change driving position ?

What are the types of riding saddles?

Another, equally important point is the type of sport you want to play. When you plan to participate in competitions, you will choose a completely different saddle than when you think about recreational riding. The basic types of saddles are:

  • Versatile saddles – They will prove themselves both in off-road and show jumping.
  • Jumping saddles – Jumping saddles are intended for competitive use. They have a flat seat and flaps more forward. This allows the rider to shorten the stirrups and improve balance and support while jumping.
  • Dressage Saddles – They have long, vertical flaps and a deep seat. They allow you to sit firmly in the saddle and follow the horse’s movement.
  • Rally saddles – They are perfect for long rallies. Thanks to the tabby seat, the rider does not feel discomfort even after many hours of riding. The benches, on the other hand, distribute the weight better on the back.
  • Western saddles – These saddles are used in western competitions, but they also work well as recreational saddles in the field.

What material should the saddle be made of?

When choosing a saddle for a horse , pay attention to the materials it is made of. The market is diverse and the choice is unlimited. However, it is good to opt for leather models , made of the highest quality materials.

Why? Not only are such saddles extremely comfortable to use, but also leather is responsible for their long life! Such a purchase will be an investment for many years, and any corrections in the event of changing the horse’s silhouette will not be a problem at all.

Will a saddle always fit after being fitted?

If you decide to buy a new saddle , add another dot to your calendar and set a reminder. ;) It is worth remembering that the saddle needs to be checked every 6 months if it is still well fitted.

How to recognize it? The first sign that your pet is feeling unwell is its behavior. If the horse will defend itself against the ride at all costs, it is good to measure the pet again, then the saddle and make any corrections. It’s nothing terrible! ;) Usually it consists only in widening or narrowing the equipment. Less often on its replacement.

The selection of the right saddle depends on many factors, such as the effectiveness of your training . The most important of these, however, is the health of your steed. ;) When you take care of this aspect, you will avoid injuries to the spine or the horse’s muscular system.

When you have difficulties measuring your mount well before buying equipment, the best solution will be the help of specialists who will be happy to help you adjust the model to the individual characteristics of the animal’s build and the type of sport you want to play. For help, you can go to, for example, DobreSiadeł.

Leather vs Synthetic Saddle. What are their advantages and disadvantages?

If we were to distinguish the one part of the equestrian equipment, the choice of which causes the most problems, and which, on the other hand, is the most important for our comfort and safety, it would undoubtedly be a saddle.

When looking for a suitable model, we always think about the type of saddle , its size or construction, but one more thing that we should consider is the material from which our future saddle will be made.

Until recently, the vast majority of saddles were made of leather, but in recent years more and more manufacturers offer models made of synthetic materials, which are quite popular.

If you are considering buying such a saddle , in this article you will find out what are the most important advantages and disadvantages of synthetic saddles compared to leather ones, and for whom a synthetic saddle will be a good choice.

Synthetic saddle, what is it?

Synthetic materials are materials that have been produced in laboratories, from substances that do not occur naturally in nature. It is because of the complexity of the manufacturing processes of these materials that synthetic saddles appeared on the market much later than leather saddles.

The main feature of good quality synthetic materials is their high resistance to tearing, soaking or stretching, while maintaining a low weight. That is why saddle manufacturers began to become interested at some point in the use of synthetics in the production of equestrian equipment.

While very cheap synthetic saddles are often made of poor quality materials, such as nylon or vinyl, reputable manufacturers invest a lot of time and resources in improving their materials (some even patent their own types). The most popular are artificial leather and artificial suede, which are to imitate their natural counterparts, or the so-called cordura resembling a very strong canvas.

Synthetic saddle versus leather saddle.

There are many aspects to consider when comparing a synthetic saddle with a leather saddle. In this part of the article, we will try to present the most important of them.

Price.

We all know that a saddle is not only the most important but also the most expensive piece of equestrian equipment. In terms of price, synthetic saddles definitely win over leather ones. With a small budget, we will usually be able to buy a synthetic saddle in better condition (and a newer model) than a leather one from a similar shelf.

Although, as a rule, a saddle is an expense for years and it is not worth saving on it, in some situations you may not want to spend too much on it. If, for example, we are looking for a saddle for a child that will quickly grow out of it (or we are simply not sure yet how long his riding passion will last), or for a horse that we do not know how long he will be with us, we can look for a cheaper saddle .

Classic saddle care and repair.

One of the biggest advantages of synthetic saddles is how easy and quick it is to care for and maintain them. These types of saddles can be washed under water (even under a garden hose), and detergent is needed sporadically to remove more serious dirt. Synthetic saddles also dry very quickly and are a great option if you are going, for example, to sunbathe horses.

Leather saddles require regular cleaning with special agents, and excess moisture or soaking is very harmful to the skin. It is different when it comes to repair.

Although synthetic saddles are quite durable, in the event of a crack or tear, repairing them can be much more difficult, especially if they are no longer under warranty and it would be done by a saddler. Leather saddles, with proper care, usually age nicer than synthetic ones, and their “life” lasts longer.

What is the weight of the saddles?

In this category, synthetic saddles are definitely the leader. That is why riders who practice long-distance horse rallies usually choose synthetic saddles – it helps them to significantly reduce the weight of the equipment carried by the horse.

Some models of versatile synthetic saddles weigh no more than 3.5 kg (for comparison, most leather saddles weigh from 5 kg upwards). While such a difference in weight may not be of great importance to a horse in normal riding, it may be important for a saddle rider, especially if it is a child. A light saddle will allow him to saddle a horse on his own and greater independence.

Adjusting the saddle to the horse.

Although this is not a rule, more often in synthetic saddles we will find a greater possibility of easily adjusting the saddles thanks to the system of interchangeable handles ( here you will find out more about how exactly such a system works).

Leading manufacturers of synthetic saddles from brands such as Wintec, Bates or Arena also offer the so-called Easy Change Riser – System. Thanks to the use of this solution, it is possible to independently and easily change the degree of “stuffing” the panels and adjust the saddle to another horse, or to the same horse whose structure and muscles have changed during training (or a break in it).

Some models of leather saddles, such as the Balotade Tank saddle , also allow for easy exchange of the pegs.

However, it should be remembered that this is not a standard for any type of saddle and each model, both leather and synthetic, should be checked for possible saddlefitting possibilities.

Colors and decorations.

It may not be the most important thing when choosing a saddle, but synthetic materials give a much greater option if we want to “go crazy” with the colors.

Leather saddles are usually available in subdued colors such as black or shades of brown (thanks to which they also look more elegant), while when it comes to synthetic saddles, we can find them in all possible colors of the rainbow, so they are not only brown and black saddles .

Most synthetic saddles , however, are made of materials imitating leather and are designed to look similar, so it is not so easy to find a saddle (especially a model for an adult) in more original colors.

Which saddle to choose?

So let’s summarize what are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of synthetic and leather saddles:

Synthetic saddles.

  • Relatively low price.
  • Easy to care for.
  • Usually easier to fit and modify (varies by manufacturer and model).
  • Resistant to severe weather conditions, moisture and dirt.
  • Light.
  • A wide range of colors.
  • Shorter service life than a leather saddle.
  • More difficult repair in case of damage.
  • The saddle ages worse and loses its value faster.
  • Particularly in cheaper models, elements such as ribbons remain stiff, they do not form over time.

Synthetic saddles will be a very good option for children or for recreational riders. They will work very well in equestrian schools or for riders who frequently change horses, thanks to the greater possibilities of adaptation and uncomplicated care. It is also a very good choice for people who ride a lot of terrain, especially in more severe weather conditions, where the saddle is susceptible to dirt, wetness, contact with salt water, etc.

Leather saddles.

  • Properly maintained, they will serve us for many years.
  • Elegant appearance.
  • Leather ages nicely and is easier to repair.
  • A saddle does not lose its value as quickly as a synthetic saddle. We will be able to resell a leather saddle in good condition at a relatively high price.
  • Greater model selection and therefore greater customization options for competitive riders.
  • More expensive than a synthetic saddle.
  • It requires regular maintenance with special measures.
  • It does not tolerate moisture and contact with water.
  • Heavier than a synthetic saddle (although we can also find lighter models, not exceeding 5 kilograms).

Leather saddles, due to their durability and elegant appearance, are definitely more often chosen by professional riders and riders who regularly ride one horse. Although fitting them may be more difficult, thanks to the larger range of models available, it will be easier for us to find the perfect one for both us and our horse.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the detailed offer of equestrian accessories, in which you will find comfortable and durable classic saddles. We provide professional advice on adjusting the saddle to your needs, as well as fast and free shipping.

The characteristics of individual products can be found on our website. If you want to ask for details or get help – contact a Balotade employee.