When it comes to appropriate horse care and riding practices, there are a variety of crucial factors to consider, but few are as critical as selecting the appropriate tack for your horse.
Horse tack such as a bridle, saddle, and other accessories may make the difference between a happy, healthy horse and an unruly, unhappy, and unhealthy horse. Choose your saddle with care, taking into consideration a variety of criteria such as the breed of horse, the form of the horse’s barrel and back, the fit of the saddle itself, and the size of the tack area in your horse trailer, among others.
When searching for the ideal saddle, it is essential to bear in mind that there is no such thing as a saddle that comes in a single size that is appropriate for everyone. Even if a saddle with complete quarter horse bars will be able to suit the majority of quarter horses, this does not mean that it will be the perfect fit for every quarter horse. If you are unclear how to correctly fit a saddle to your horse, it is highly recommended that you consult a professional or a friend who is knowledgeable about horses.
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Make sure to know your horse type
When searching for a saddle, bridle, and other items of horse tack, it is essential that you keep in mind the type of your horse.
For instance, most Arabians and Arabian crosses will have a more slender form, with a narrower back, than the stockier Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas. This is because the Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa breeds descended from the Appaloosa horse. It is essential to search for a western saddle that has complete Quarter Horse bars when one is looking to get a saddle for a Quarter Horse.
This will assist to guarantee that the right fit is achieved on the majority of Quarter Horses, but not all of them. If the saddle does not seem to fit the rider properly, it will be very important to have a professional who specializes in saddle fitting examine it.
Read more:
- 4 Best Lightweight Western Trail Saddles You Should Check Out
- The BEST English Saddle Brands to Buy in 2022
- Best Saddles for Thoroughbreds
- Best Online Stores to Buy Miniature Horse Tack
Things to consider when looking to buy tack
Additionally, while looking for tack, it is crucial to pay attention to the fittings that come with the saddle. There are certain western and English saddles that do not come with the fittings, but the majority of them do.
It is essential to examine the cinch strap, the back strap, and the girth of the saddle since some manufacturers of less expensive saddles may attempt to reduce costs by supplying fittings of a lower quality.
After all, the cinch and the girth are the ones responsible for keeping the saddle in place on the horse. For such a significant endeavor, you certainly don’t want to depend on leather that is fragile, thin, or inadequate.
Top Online Horse Tack Stores in Canada:
1. Horse Saddle Shop
Click here to see more from their tack pricing & options
Horse Saddle Shop offers a lifetime of equine experience to benefit their customers in their next saddle purchase. One of the founders – Dale was an example of wisdom gained in a person’s senior years. He had been selling saddles in Northern Indiana since the early ’80s, until his passing in 2013. He was a great help in gathering important information on Horse Saddle Shop customer’s horses and their customers’ riding disciplines to reccomend the saddle to suit each need.
Their main goal is to provide the best selection of saddles available – above any other store. They are constantly expanding the brands they carry as well as the different types of tack & saddles. The good thing about this store is that they keep hundreds of options of tack & saddles in stock!
If you are looking for a dependable family owned business with a reputation and desire to provide a well-fitting quality saddle at a low price, then Horse Saddle Shop is the right place for you!
2. Summerside Tack and Equestrian Wear
Summerside Tack & Equestrian Wear prides themselves on carrying quality horse tack with outstanding customer service provided by knowledgeable, experienced staff.
This tack store understands that horse lovers come in all ages, sizes, and ride different disciplines. They carry a wide variety of tack, clothing and other gear. Their store is stocked with something for all equestrian enthusiasts no matter what saddle you ride in. Some of their favorite brands include Back on Track, Horseware Ireland, Weaver Leather, and more.
3. The Horse Barn
The Horse Barn is a family-owned and operated online tack store serving Kamloops and the interior of British Columbia since 1990.
At The Horse Barn, they are proud to have supplied horse riding gear and Western wear to local ranchers and farms in B.C.’s Thompson-Okanagan and Cariboo regions for over 35 years!
Since then, they have expanded their family-owned business to meet the needs of ranchers, hobby farms, horse riding enthusiasts and anyone with an appreication for the history and aesthetics of the old west-all across Canada.