A saddle is one of the foremost pieces of gear most people buy after they acquire a horse. It is a prime outlay; selecting and purchasing call for much calculation and understanding. The life span of most saddles is several times that of a horse, so give it a good deal of thought when choosing a saddle.

The first move in picking out a saddle is to decide which style of riding you like better. For many riders this may not be important. The decision probably was made long before, and the horse bought specially for that style. For a novice, though, selecting the riding style may pose more of a problem. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages.

Western or stock saddles tend to be large and heavy. They are difficult, if not impossible, for young people to manage. However, they provide plenty of protection for a student. The depth of the saddle and the quantity of leather below the leg, knee and seat isolate the horse from the rider.

Western saddles are possibly more adaptable, strong and resilient than other styles. They are available in a broad assortment of designs and prices. Hunt-jump saddles are usually rather light and easily handled. Here, too, an extensive selection of designs and prices is on hand. This kind of saddle permits the rider, in most cases, to ride nearer to the horse, to sense the horse and to communicate more readily with seat and legs. As a rule, these saddles call for additional instruction of the rider in developing a sure seat than with standard saddles.

The saddles that are used to ride and showcase gaited or park horses, such as the Lane Fox saddle, are rather limited in use. They have lots of the benefits of the hunt-jump saddles ? they are lightweight and allow ease of communication with the horse. However, they place the rider so far at the back of the withers that the only way for the rider to be in balance with the horse is to have the horse considerably pulled in and working off its quarters. This type of saddle provides minimum security for the rider; any rider must learn to ride such a saddle properly.

Dressage saddles are configured to fit women's ankle-length skirts. While they are utilized for other styles of riding, they are not preferred. The design of this saddle provides the rider with utmost ease of communication with the horse and holds the rider in complete equilibrium and form, whether the horse is extremely collected or gently extended, all between the somewhat fine limits of tradition.

There are several saddles intended for very precise roles other than those previously mentioned. These include side-saddle, trick saddle and special show or display saddle. These saddles are exceedingly definite in their design. Using them for whatever function other than their intended purpose should be discouraged. Safety, comfort of the rider and ability to maintain soundness of the horse must be considered before beauty or the desire for a unique design.