Best English & Western Saddles

In the old west, cowboys tried to be as comfortable as possible for long journeys on their horses. They needed saddles that would serve the necessary purposes - a horn for wrapping their ropes while steering cattle, a place to attach their saddle packs, and a cinch that would not slip - but they also needed saddles that wouldn't leave them sore and uncomfortable. With new technology available, saddles can now be made to further suit those needs, and to provide comfort and style to riders of all disciplines.

Both English and Western saddles are designed for the comfort of both the horse and rider. Before I take you through my top five in both types, here are some necessary key terms that you will need to understand before reading about the saddles:

Tree - the wooden, plastic or synthetic "frame" that lies within the saddle and holds its shape.

Padding - the fibers that surround the tree and make the saddle comfortable for the rider while filling out the shape of the saddle.

Dees - the D-ring features on every saddle the facilitate the use of accessories.

Close Contact - any saddle that is designed to hold the rider into the saddle, rather than a flat saddle that allows the rider to rise easily from the seat.

Pommel - the front of the saddle.

Cantle - the back of the saddle (also referred to as the "ridge")

Leathers - on an English saddle, the straps that connect the stirrups to the saddle

Knee Rolls - on an English saddle, the swells at the front of the saddle where the knees go.

Now that we have explored the terminology, I'll get on to the saddles. I've chosen these specific items for their durability, comfort, diversity, and price. They are not all made by the same company because different saddle makers have varying strengths. Some are better at producing close-contact English saddles, while others excel with Barrel-Racing Western saddles. Choosing your own saddle should be dependant upon your own personal comfort level and body shape, which will be a large factor in determining your center of gravity in the saddle.