Rally saddles

Horseback riding is undoubtedly one of the most pleasant forms of spending time on the horse’s back. Many riders dream of many hours of tourist expeditions with their horse, or participation in sports rallies. To go to such a rally, you need good rally saddle and the horse.

However, before this dream can come true, it is worth taking a critical look at the riding equipment we use every day and whether it will also work in rally conditions.

The right choice of saddle is crucial in any equestrian discipline, but in rallies it is even more important.

Long hours in the saddle are a big challenge, especially for the horse that will have the saddle on his back, but also for the rider, whose comfort is not without significance.

Minor mismatches or shortcomings that will be barely noticeable during an hour’s ride on the arena may cause abrasions, kickbacks or other injuries after a few hours.

In this article, we’ll explain what the difference is rally saddle from other saddles and we will try to dispel your doubts if you are considering buying this type of equipment.

Rally saddle – how is it different from other saddles?

The rally saddle , thanks to its structure and characteristic feature, is to ensure maximum comfort for both the horse and the rider, while keeping the weight not too high. One of the most important things in both touring models and sports racing saddles is the very soft, heavily padded seat. Many riders, for greater comfort and better shock absorption, additionally use a seat cover made of e.g. sheepskin.

In touring models, the seat is usually deep enough to provide the rider with a comfortable position in the saddle. In models made for rallying In sports where players spend a lot of time half- sitting or standing, the seats are flatter.

Additional padding can also be found in the knee pads.

When it comes to horse comfort, one of the most important features of rally saddles is the wide tunnel that provides plenty of space for the horse’s spine. Panels rally saddles they are also longer and wider, thanks to which the rider’s weight is evenly distributed on the horse’s back and reduces possible pressure. The front bow is constructed in such a way as to prevent any pressure on the horse’s withers. Such solutions can also be found in kulbace , which will be perfect for long horse trips.

If you want the best fit of the saddle to the construction of your mount (or if you want to invest in a rally saddle, but you do not have your own horse and you will use the saddle to ride various mounts), it is worth considering a rally saddle with a removable pommel , such as Balotade Tank .

Another characteristic thing that distinguishes rally and tourist saddles are symmetrically placed hooks (usually in the form of metal rings), to which we can attach panniers in such a way that they do not disturb the horse’s balance or our comfort.

Who needs a rally saddle?

Of course, it is not necessary to buy a rally saddle, if you plan just occasional, even longer rides in the field. However, if you plan frequent, long trips, multi-day tourist rallies or you would like to start preparing for sports rallies, this rally profile saddle will make both you and your horse feel a significant difference. A racing saddle will also help you take better care of your horse’s back.

If rally saddles for professionals, competing in the highest classes, such as 120 km or 160 km, they have a very specific structure and it would be difficult to use them for recreational riding, such as tourist or rally profile saddles, such as this model are much more versatile. This type of saddle is a guarantee of comfort and safety during the rally, but it will also work very well when riding on the arena, small jumps or dressage riding .

Rally saddle – what accessories?

A properly selected rally saddle is the basis, but if we want everything to work as well as possible, we should also obtain the appropriate accessories:

Breastplate – almost all endurance riders use it. It helps to hold the saddle in place during long journeys, especially when it is sliding backwards. This is especially important if the route of the rally has many uphill climbs.

Dock – Like the breastplate, its job is to keep the saddle where it should be. This time, however, the task is to prevent the saddle from sliding forward, which can happen on steep descents. Podogonie is especially useful in the case of the so-called “Horses – cucumbers.” These are rounded mounts with poorly defined withers and flanks. Such a structure is often found in ponies, bold horses or horses of primitive breeds (Hucuły, Koniki Polskie).

Girth – in professional rally saddles , the girths are quite similar to the dressage ones , i.e. wide and short. This is because the tapers are also much longer than the standard ones. However, in touring models or saddles we can use standard length girdles. It is important that they have elastic inserts that allow the horse to move freely around the chest. The anatomically shaped girths will also work very well. It is also worth making sure that the fabric wicks sweat well and provides good ventilation (natural leather, sheep wool, felt, cotton). Artificial materials such as neoprene can burn some horses after riding for several hours.

Stirrups – another important addition to the rally saddle. Typical, rally stirrups are the so-called basket stirrups, closed on one side. The use of such a solution prevents the foot from falling too deep into the stirrup and possible wedging. Rally stirrups of this type are usually made of light, resistant materials such as plastic or aluminum.

However, any stirrups with a wider foot that will provide good support for the foot will work well in tourist riding.

Saddle pad – a thick saddle pad or pad with good padding will work best. It is worth making sure that it is made of breathable material. Some rally saddle pads have additionally sewn pockets, which can fulfill the same function as panniers.