Have you ever wondered what constitutes a gaited horse saddle? Obviously, they are saddles people use to ride or show gaited horses. But what does that really mean? Let us look at both the horses and the saddles they use to get a better understanding.
A gaited horse is a thinner horse than you would normally see. You won't see one herding sheep on a ranch. They are not bred for that purpose. Their purpose instead is simply for showing and for competition. Those simple facts alone should make it obvious that a traditional saddle just won't work on these horses. A standard saddle won't fit and will likely be too heavy. And that's not to mention the fact that a regular saddle is designed for more practical purposes.
Gaited horse saddles, as you might then expect, are made specifically for use with the special show horses. They are thinner across than regular saddles and they are much lighter. The lighter saddles are not just good for comfort. They also make it easier for the rider to subtly communicate with the animal during exhibition. One might say that these saddles are more communicative in nature than other options.
These saddles sit back farther than regular saddles, as well. In fact, a rider in this saddle will actually find himself or herself well behind the withers. This means that the users of these saddles need to be well-trained, experienced riders capable of finding balance in the unusual position. The animal must also have the correct training and temperament to make the saddles workable. When these saddles are placed upon the wrong animal or used by an inexperienced rider, it can constitute a rather dangerous situation. They are meant for professionals, not casual riders.
Since the saddle is so important, it easy to see why these saddles are often custom made. The size of the rider is taken into account as is the size of the horse. The saddle maker will consider the height and weight of the rider when making the saddle and custom fit the stirrups as well. And since they are made for show, you can expect to see some gorgeous designs and ornamentation on a gaited saddle.
It's easy to see why the saddles are a frequent conversation topic within this small community, especially now that you know a little more about the horses and the saddles. The horses are unique, and the saddles are a unique piece of equipment built for these animals with special needs. The saddle maker's job is to produce a saddle taking into account all the needs of both the horse and the rider.
When you consider all that, you've probably figured out by now that these saddles can be quite expensive. And you probably also figured out that the riders can be extremely picky for obvious reasons. Go to any tack store and you won't see a ton of them out for sale. And when they are, the represent a big time investment.
A gaited horse is a thinner horse than you would normally see. You won't see one herding sheep on a ranch. They are not bred for that purpose. Their purpose instead is simply for showing and for competition. Those simple facts alone should make it obvious that a traditional saddle just won't work on these horses. A standard saddle won't fit and will likely be too heavy. And that's not to mention the fact that a regular saddle is designed for more practical purposes.
Gaited horse saddles, as you might then expect, are made specifically for use with the special show horses. They are thinner across than regular saddles and they are much lighter. The lighter saddles are not just good for comfort. They also make it easier for the rider to subtly communicate with the animal during exhibition. One might say that these saddles are more communicative in nature than other options.
These saddles sit back farther than regular saddles, as well. In fact, a rider in this saddle will actually find himself or herself well behind the withers. This means that the users of these saddles need to be well-trained, experienced riders capable of finding balance in the unusual position. The animal must also have the correct training and temperament to make the saddles workable. When these saddles are placed upon the wrong animal or used by an inexperienced rider, it can constitute a rather dangerous situation. They are meant for professionals, not casual riders.
Since the saddle is so important, it easy to see why these saddles are often custom made. The size of the rider is taken into account as is the size of the horse. The saddle maker will consider the height and weight of the rider when making the saddle and custom fit the stirrups as well. And since they are made for show, you can expect to see some gorgeous designs and ornamentation on a gaited saddle.
It's easy to see why the saddles are a frequent conversation topic within this small community, especially now that you know a little more about the horses and the saddles. The horses are unique, and the saddles are a unique piece of equipment built for these animals with special needs. The saddle maker's job is to produce a saddle taking into account all the needs of both the horse and the rider.
When you consider all that, you've probably figured out by now that these saddles can be quite expensive. And you probably also figured out that the riders can be extremely picky for obvious reasons. Go to any tack store and you won't see a ton of them out for sale. And when they are, the represent a big time investment.
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