Saddles for sale in Thames Valley

A dressage saddle is designed to offer comfort and performance to both horse and rider when competing in the sport of dressage riding. Dressage saddles have long, straight flaps to give the rider optimal positioning and the horse freedom of movement around the shoulder. They are also commonly found with large knee rolls and thigh blocks to help the rider's leg position. Another distinctive feature of a dressage saddle is the high cantle and pommel, which is to keep the rider within the horse’s centre of gravity.

An endurance saddle is designed to offer comfort and performance to both horse and rider when competing in the sport of endurance riding. Endurance saddles are made with longer and wider panels to ensure the pressure is evenly distributed to keep the horse as comfortable as possible. They are often found with long girth straps to avoid any pinching of the rider's leg. Endurance saddles have long, ever so slight curved saddle flaps to give the rider the most comfortable positioning whilst having large knee rolls and thigh blocks to help the rider's leg position. Endurance saddles are often considered the most comfortable saddle available because no other saddle is designed to be sat in for hours like this one is.

An eventing saddle is predominantly designed to offer comfort and performance to both horse and rider when competing in the cross-country phase of eventing. Eventing saddles have a shorter, forward-cut flap along with a flat seat to allow the rider the freedom to stand out of the saddle when their horse is opening up a longer stride and fast pace in between jumps, which gives optimal positioning. Event saddles are often monoflaps to reduce weight and maintain freedom of movement around the shoulder. They are also commonly found with medium to large knee rolls and thigh blocks to help the rider's leg position.

What is a general purpose saddle? A GP saddle is designed for riders who are ‘all-rounders’, wishing to partake in a variety of disciplines and don’t wish to purchase a separate saddle for each occasion. Due to this, general purpose saddles come in a variety of seat depths and flap lengths to allow all riders to find the right one for them and their horse. GP Saddles can also have variations, such as a GPE (General Purpose Event). A GPE saddle has a flap cut slightly more forward than a GP but still not enough to be considered a jumping saddle. These are for people who do more jumping than flatwork but still wish to have a saddle capable of being suitable for both.

What is a VSD saddle? A VSD saddle is designed as a straighter-cut version of the GP saddle. This is for riders who will do more flatwork, such as schooling, dressage or hacking, but would still like the option to be able to jump on the odd occasion. They are also more suitable for horses who have large or further set-back shoulders and hence, need a straighter-cut saddle to avoid interference with the shoulder. VSD stands for 'Versatility Saddle Dressage' but is sometimes referred to as 'Very Slightly Dressage'. They may also be known as a GPD saddle (General Purpose Dressage).

A jumping saddle is designed to offer comfort and performance to both horse and rider when competing in the sport of showjumping. Jumping saddles have evolved to be more like an eventing saddle, where they have a flatter seat and medium-sized knee rolls and thigh blocks. However, a lot of older jumping saddles have a much deeper seat and large knee roles. Which option you go for will depend on the type of rider you are.

There are two types of racing saddles, treeless race saddles designed for competitive racing, and exercise saddles, which are for a racehorse’s routine home-work when they're preparing for race days. Exercise saddles come with either a full tree or half tree. A full tree means the saddle as a structure throughout the length of the saddle. A half tree means only the front half of the seat has structure, meaning the back half is treeless.