Choosing a Saddle for Your Reining Horse

When it comes to reining horse and learning reining or cutting, the saddle can be a very important part of your equipment. How do you choose the right saddle to get you started on the right track with your horse?

First you know that there are a lot of saddles out there. With so many different brands and types to choose from, it can be difficult to know which is best for your needs. The honest truth is that only a few of them are properly designed for training a performance horse.

It's important that you have a saddle that is made to help you ride in balance and sit at the stop. This will be vital in cutting and reining horse events. This is why you should look for a saddle that was specifically made for reining or cutting.

Remember though that just because the manufacturer says it is a Òreining saddleÓ doesn't necessarily mean it was designed well for reining. The biggest reason for this is that many saddle makers just aren't riders themselves so they may not fully grasp what is needed for a great reining saddle.

This is why great research on your own will help you choose a saddle for your reining horse. Here are some tips to help you in choosing the best one for your needs:

• The seat should allow you to sit the stop. The seat should lay close to the horse's back and the closer you can get to the horse, the better.
• Beware of a seat that is too small. You will need some room to slide forward and back just a little.
• The lowest part of the seat should be near the middle of the seat. This is called the pocket.
• As for the horn and swells, the rein hand should be able to move unobstructed. If your horn and swells are too high, they will get in the way.
• Don't buy a saddle with a really high cantle. It will hit you in the back when you are making hard stops.
• Make sure the tree fits your horse's back properly. Double check to be sure there is proper clearance between the withers and gullet.
• Never make any compromises on rigging when choosing your saddle. How the saddle is rigged is very important.

These are just some basic tips but they should help you when it comes time to choose a saddle for your reining horse. When you take the time to choose the right saddle, it can have a large impact on your performance and that of your horse.