How to make a saddle for a horse and what types it is

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One of the most important elements of equestrian equipment is a saddle for a horse. Horseback riding is impossible without it. The better the saddle, the more comfortable the ride is for both riders. Every horse owner should not only be able to properly dress the equipment, but also know what to look for when choosing it. The wrong outfit will cause discomfort to both the rider and the animal.

Horse saddle

What types of saddles are there

The saddle, like the bridle, was invented a long time ago. In ancient times, it looked like an ordinary cape with clasps. Over time, the design of the equipment has been modernized and improved more than once, as a result, many different models have appeared, created taking into account the individual characteristics of thoroughbred horses, capable of satisfying all the needs of riders.

There are the following types of horse saddles:

• Cavalry - Cavalry leather gear is great for long, uninterrupted horse rides. He has, depending on the model, either steel or wooden saddle (solid frame). The use of such dense materials is a guarantee of excellent durability of the equipment. In addition, the rider's weight, when using such a saddle, is correctly distributed over the horse's back and does not cause discomfort. Earlier, when horsemen were one of the main types of troops and cavalry campaigns could drag on for a long time, horse saddles had additional armor and attachments for duffel bags and weapons.
• Cossack - also a good type of traveling saddles, but made using a completely different technology. The main structural elements of which the Cossack saddle consists are archak, wings and a pillow. On a saddle of a special shape with a small handle, the rider at any time can stand up on straight legs or perform any of the elements of trick riding.
• Ladies' - one of the types of equestrian equipment that has come down to our days since the 17th century. In those days, it was considered bad taste if a woman sat in a man's saddle. In addition, given the fashion for fluffy long skirts, it was terribly inconvenient to do, so it was decided to develop a special women's saddle for a horse. With the advent of trousers, this type of saddle has practically ceased to be used, but recently the ladies' saddle has gained popularity again.
• Jumping - special show jumping equipment with all the features arising from this sport. In such models, the wings are extended forward, due to which the rider's legs are tightly pressed against the sides of the animal, thereby increasing the rider's stability in the saddle during jumps. The shape of the back bow is made either in the form of a circle or in the form of a square.
• Dressage - Good dressage only occurs in deep-seated saddles where the rider can easily straighten his legs fully for contact with the horse. To make the required seating depth, the creators had to significantly shorten the seat. For proper support of the legs, the wing structure is narrow and long.During dressage, it is very important that the animal responds as sensitively as possible to every human command, most of which is supplied by the body, therefore dressage saddles have almost no upholstery, and the shelves are narrow and short.
• Versatile - the equipment is suitable for almost all equestrian sports and for simple horse riding. This is the best option for horse riding enthusiasts who do not participate professionally, who are just learning the basics of dressage. If you want to choose a good hunting or walking saddle, be sure to pay attention to the universal models.
• Triathlon - visually, the saddles are similar to universal ones and are also great for any riding options, but their cushion with a wing is slightly pushed forward, which makes it possible to change the usual landing to a field one when cross-country.
• The racing saddle is a simplified sport saddle with an almost flat seat and short stirrups. This design allows you to minimize the load on the horse and direct all its strength to the main goal - victory in the races.
• Officer - used during military parades, in addition, it can be found on the horse of the mounted police, during any long horse run or hike. There are many mounts on the saddle for weapons and other things necessary for officers.

There are some types of saddles for more specialized riders, for example:

• Western - American cowboys' equipment that provides stability and comfort of landing. Even during sudden movements or sudden stops of the animal, it is comfortable to sit in such a saddle. In addition, it has a special lasso horn.
• Boneless - a soft plastic saddle that fits perfectly to the animal's back. It weighs almost nothing. Most often, these saddles are worn on injured horses or on those with a sore back. After recovery, horses can dream of this type of convenient equipment for a long time. A gel pad is usually attached over these saddles.
• Packing - the device is used to transport large bulk cargoes on animals.

There is another type of equestrian equipment that cannot be called a full-fledged saddle - pad. If something happens, this shock absorber can be used either as a soft bedding for hard models, or as an independent element instead of saddles.

Making a saddle yourself

Don't think that making equipment for a horse is as easy as making it in your favorite game. In order to make a saddle with your own hands, you need special skills and experience in such work. In addition, specific materials cannot be dispensed with, therefore many professional breeders advise choosing a ready-made version, especially since today there is a huge selection of various models on sale.

Having come to a specialized store, you can not only find out how much a particular type of saddle costs and select the optimal model, but also purchase all the necessary equipment to order according to an individual design.

If you are not looking for easy ways, you can try to make this piece of equipment on your own and dress your favorite horse in it. It is worth starting with the simplest model: a drill saddle, which is based on an ordinary wooden lenchik.

So, you need to prepare in advance:

• a sheet of thick cardboard;
• wooden block;
• a knife and a pair of scissors;
• some nails and staples;
• hammer;
• construction model of a stapler;
• leather, whether artificial or natural, or similar material;
• file;
• a piece of foam rubber;
• belts.

It is very good if, before making a saddle for a horse with your own hands, you can get somewhere a base from old equipment. After all, if you already have a flax ready, then it will be enough just to repair it by adding a couple of elements. It's much easier than making a DIY horse saddle from scratch.

We prepare the frame from scratch

• The first thing to do for this is to determine the size of the animal at the highest and lowest point of the withers and in the arch of the back. The resulting dimensions should be transferred to cardboard, then draw a drawing of the frame for the ribbon and cut it along the contour.
• The next stage is the creation of 2 shelves. After cutting out of wood, connect them with wire so that they hold their shape along the back of the animal. In each shelf, a hole is made for a girth.
• They take a piece of wood, impose a pattern of a lien and cut it out, and then attach it to the shelves with nails.

We make upholstery

• You need to attach foam rubber to the frame, and sew a felt lining for the shelves.
• Then you need to start creating straps and girths from belts. However, there are ready-made versions of these elements on sale, you can buy them. Each stirrup is attached to the stirrup, the girths are installed in the shelves.
• The final stage - they take a durable material, fill the stapler with staples, fit the entire frame, tightly attach the leather cover to the wooden base and fasten the stirrups. Ideal if you use soft leather as a covering.

That's it, the saddle is ready. You can, of course, describe the creation process in more detail, but the scheme of work on creating a saddle will be much clearer if you watch a detailed training video on this topic.

Making a saddle is only half the battle. It is necessary for the animal to get used to it.

Please note that saddle training should only begin after the animal has undergone basic training, trusts the rider, and knows and follows the basic commands.

These minimum skills determine the further behavior of the pet.