Put It To Use
• Use the hand-placement test to determine if the seat size is right.
• Pay attention to the fork size and shape and the cantle height.
• Skip rough-out seats, if you're likely to get the saddle wet often.
• Consider bucking rolls for high-terrain riding.
• Check the placement of the cinch for rider comfort.
If you have lower-back problems, you might find a high cantle helps support your back during long hours of trail riding . . . but it can also dig into it when sliding down steep banks. Stirrups that swing backward and forward freely, as on a cutting or barrel racing saddle, make staying in the proper position a lot easier going up and down hills, too.
A lot is said about being sure a cinch is comfortable for the horse, but they can be a pain-literally-for the rider as well if the wad of wrapped leather that ties the cinch to the saddle happens to be under your thigh.
Look for saddles that have the point where the tie strap (usually referred to as the "latigo") wraps around, or buckles into, the D ring moved forward out from under your leg or set lower so it is not up under your thigh. When you try a saddle, notice whether or not the rigging is in the wrong spot for you. If it is, it can become irritating on a long ride.
Some western saddles come with a second cinch toward the rear called a flank cinch. If your saddle comes with one, snug it up properly or leave it off. If you use it, be sure to attach it to the front cinch with the little leather strap provided for that purpose. An unsecured flank cinch can easily become a bucking strap. All front cinches have two small D rings in the center of the cinch for attaching a martingale at the front and a flank cinch at the rear. (Looking at those rings is a quick way to tell if your cinch is centered before you tighten it.)
Bottom Line
Don't be dazzled by design. Pretty patterns and shiny trim aren't an automatic indication of quality. Be sure you get the style that suits your riding habits best and that fits both you and your horse. Look at how the saddle is made and buy the best quality saddle you can afford. It will pay you back in the long run with hours of comfort on the trail.
Setting The Stirrups
If the stirrups haven't already been turned when you buy the saddle (so the opening faces forward and back) turn them and slip a broom handle through them while the saddle is on the rack to help reposition them. It can be a strain on your knee to keep several layers of thick stirrup leathers pulled around your leg into the proper position.
