You may be asking yourself, Why Are Western Saddles So Heavy? and you might want to know how this weight affects your horse. We will look at the weight of different types of saddles, the effects of a western saddle, and whether horse saddle pads help disperse the weight.
Let’s start by understanding how much a western saddle weighs and then compare it to other saddle types. Then we’ll look at how it can affect your horse when riding.
How Much Do Western Saddles Weigh?
A traditional Western saddle is heavier than an English saddle. However, it can vary in weight, ranging from fifteen to sixty pounds. A good quality saddle is comfortable and heavy.
What Contributes To The Weight Of A Western Saddle?
The weight of a western saddle is determined by the materials used to make it. This type of saddle is also the most durable. It has a large horn in the front for added safety and stability. In addition to the horn, many western saddles come with a tool bag, stirrup, and grooming kit.
Leather accessories can add additional weight to the saddle, making it look more attractive and comfortable.
Western saddles are made for comfort and support. They come in many styles, but they all feature thick horn and deep seats. Many have underlying foam for added comfort. Stirrups are also made to accommodate high-heeled cowboy boots.
The cantle is the raised rear part of the saddle and serves as a backrest. It also provides stability for the saddle tree. Western saddles are typically made for show riding.
How Does The Weight Impact Horse Riding?
While the weight of a western saddle does not affect the comfort of your rider, it can negatively impact your horse’s performance. Despite this, a heavy saddle may not be the best choice for horses that are inexperienced at wearing one.
An overweight horse will feel discomfort and reluctance to move, and its front legs will be close to its back legs to stabilize its weight. It will also take shorter steps when moving, typical for a horse with a great deal of weight.
In addition, your horse’s breathing will become heavier after a short time on flat ground, a sign of stress and physical exertion.
A study at Ohio State University evaluated the impact of carrying fifteen, twenty, or thirty percent of your body weight on your horse’s body. The horses underwent a rigorous 45-minute exercise routine to see how they handled the extra weight.
The researchers added lead weights to the saddles to reach the required weight. This demonstrates the effect that western saddles are heavier than traditional western saddles.
Do Horse Saddle Pads Help Disperse the Weight?
Most people wonder if horse saddle pads can help disperse the weight of a western saddle. The answer is a resounding “yes.” Using the correct pad can help distribute the weight of a saddle by as much as 15 percent.
However, there are several things to consider before making a decision. First, consider your horse’s back. Using a natural fiber pad will compensate if your saddle is not forming to the shape of your horse’s back.
Besides being springy and recoiling, natural fibers also have a moisture-wicking ability. As a result, they help disperse the weight of a western saddle better than synthetic pads.
Another benefit of using saddle pads is that they prevent bridging, a common problem with western saddles. Saddle pads help prevent this problem by raising the saddle higher on the horse’s back and reducing pressure points.
Some pads have too much padding and cause the saddle to be poorly fitting. To avoid this problem, use a simple saddle pad that provides adequate support.
Comparing Weights Of Other Saddle Types
The weight of western saddles differs from other types of saddles. In general, the Western saddle has a heavier fork. Its saddle tree has wider bars that flare out slightly in the front and narrow in the back.
It is suitable for most breeds of horses with medium backs and decent withers. However, these saddles are unsuitable for very wide horses, as they may pinch the withers.
In addition to the weight difference, western saddles are more difficult to carry than their English counterparts. They may also be harder to get on a horse and require more attention to fit.
Western saddles also have more complex girths; some are belt buckle arrangements, while others require extensive learning of loop arrangements. When choosing a western saddle, you should always consider the riding style that you will be doing before making a purchase.
Despite these differences, western saddles are still heavier than English ones. Their weight may depend on the rider’s weight. English saddles have minimal structure, while Western saddles are more structured.
Generally, the weight of a western saddle is more than double that of an English saddle, which is not always comfortable. The weight of western saddles will depend on the rider’s comfort level.
Western Dressage Saddle
Western Dressage Saddles are designed with a protruding horn, which can be used for roping and steadying the rider. They also feature a fork, which runs from the cantle to the seat. Western Dressage Saddles also have a pommel and a seat. In addition to the pommel and seat, they also have a Cheyenne roll that extends from the cantle and forms a slight handle.
These saddles weigh approximately 20 lbs which is quite a bit lighter than a western saddle.
Trail Saddle
This type of saddle is designed to be comfortable and stable for both horse and rider while also being comfortable for the rider and carrying the required gear. Unfortunately, this means that a trail saddle will be pretty heavy, which is one of the main reasons they are so popular.
Trail saddles tend to be between 25-35 pounds.
Roping Saddle
Western Saddles are made to withstand tremendous pressure from the cow and rider and are heavy because they are roped. They are typically built on sturdy trees and have reinforced rigging to prevent breaks. A good roping saddle allows the rider to move freely without restricting their grip on the saddle. A roping saddle will also have a deep stirrup and a long skirt that provides a high level of comfort.
Roping saddles are slightly lighter than a western saddle at around 30 to 45 pounds.
Wade Tree Saddle
The Wade Tree Saddle is a heavy western saddle with a curved shape and flat plate rigging. Its flat plate rigging offers a more significant stirrup swing and less bulk under the rider’s leg. The saddle’s double D rigging is used for calf and team roping. It has an extended front bar tip. It also comes with an inskirt for added comfort and support.
Wide varieties of Wade trees are available; most are in the 35-pound range.
Conclusion
As you can see, when it comes to western riding, there are many different options, and many of them will require a high weight capacity to be comfortable for the rider. However, while western riding can be physically demanding, it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Modern design technology has improved the comfort and weight of western saddles considerably. If you are looking for a lighter yet comfortable western saddle, you would be better off looking for a trail saddle.