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Saddle seat

By | October 23, 2007

Saddle seat is almost similar to hunt seat or English style saddle used in horseback riding. The seat is mainly used to show off gaits of the horse. While using saddle seat jumping cannot be done if done it will hurt the horse’s back. Saddle seat was originated in United States and is less common in Europe, Canada, Australia and Africa.

Saddle seat was used by plantation owners in South America who used to travel across their fields by high stepping horses. They had to spend hours riding on horses while overseeing plantation so required a smooth and comfortable ride. So they discovered or developed a comfortable yet stylish saddle seat for their horses.

Saddle seat is best for horses with upright neck, animated gaits and high head carriage. Some of the well known breeds which work best wit saddle seats are American Saddlebred, Racking Horses, Morgans, National Show Horses, Tennessee Walking Horses, Arabians, Rocky Mountain Horses, Foxtrotters, Paso Finos, Hackneys and Missouri.

Saddle seats are used to emphasize elegance and grace of the horses. Breeds are groomed in different styles to show off their best. Horses with saddle seat mostly have long flowing mane and forelock. American breeds generally braid the first lock of mane with satin ribbon while Arabian prohibits braiding or adding ribbons to horses. Only American Saddlebreds have completely shaved off mane and forelock which put emphasis on lines of neck and head. The dock of tail is partially shaved off to balance overall look.

Bridle path, the area of mane behind horse’s ears across top of horse head is trimmed down the neck to show off throatlatch and length of horse’s neck. The tail of the horses is kept long sometimes even long enough to touch ground. Some breeds sports shaved tail for balanced look. Horse’s legs are trimmed and chestnut is cut close to skin. Head is also trimmed with special attention to jaw, ears, eyes and muzzle.

In united sates a number of saddle seat competitions are held as three gaited, five gaited, plantation walker, park, pleasure, classic, equitation and country.

Saddle seat has little padding and flat seat to allow extravagant movement of horses. It places rider behind the motion which makes movement of horse easy. Traditionally a saddle seat horse wears a double birdie, curb bit and a bradoon. A double birdie allows fine tuning of horse’s head and neck position.  Curb bit is used for gaited horses and browband is brightly colored leather used for fashion trends. A snaffle bit is used for horses under five years.

Topics: Saddles |

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