Saddles for gaited horses are different than the saddles that you would normally purchase from a tack shop. Gaited horse saddles are specifically designed to help support the natural movement of the horse. Gaited horse saddles are also designed to help prevent injuries to the horse, and the rider as well.
Saddle shopping can be very confusing. There are so many different brands, styles, sizes, and materials to choose from. Add in the fact that horses come in all shapes and sizes. It can be overwhelming to say the least. In this blog, I will discuss some of the top saddles for gaited horses. I will also provide information on the benefits of using a gait saddle.
- Orlov Hill Leather Premium Western Saddle is the best value for your money.
- Cashel Trail Saddle – Best for Beginners.
- Tex Tan Salem Flex Saddle – Best for Versatility.
- TN Saddlery Plantation Western-Style Saddle – Best for Long Rides.
Our Top Overall Pick
- Cashel Trail Saddle is our pick based on value, durability and utility.
Table of Contents
| Image | Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashel Trail Saddle |
| Check Price |
  | Orlov Hill Leather Premium Western Saddle |
| Check Price |
  | Tex Tan Salem Flex Saddle |
| Check Price |
  | TN Saddlery Plantation Western-Style Saddle |
| Check Price |
Top 4 Best Gaited Horse Saddles
1. Cashel Trail Saddle – Best for Beginners
- Made of soft leather
- Streamlined design for ultimate comfort and ease
- Built using axis tree for full support and strength
- Convenience rings woven in string sets
- Even available for 5-inch wide stirrups
- Price: Check Price
The Cashel team prides itself on the vast knowledge that it has about horses. That is probably why they make such good products and give even better advice on caring for your faithful friend. A trail saddle is a good choice for everyone who has just started riding horses and wants to take it easy.
That being said, you should try your best to invest in a good-quality saddle since it is the only thing that physically separates you from your horse. And that is what Cashel promises you.
This saddle is built keeping the comfort and security of both the rider and the horse in mind. The bar tips on both sides are raised away from the horse’s body. This way, your leg would have a better angle for stability, and there would be no interruptions while you ride. The double stirrup cut-out makes sure that the contact on the horse’s body is even.
The seat itself is double padded with redesigned cantle and larger swells for more security. Tie rings are woven in the string set for convenience. You will also find an additional crupper ring in there. The leather is in chocolate brown color from Herman Oak. This saddle also comes in 5-inch wide stirrups, but for that, you’d have to give a special order.
- Comfortable to ride on
- Made with high-quality leather
- Doesn’t present any interruption during riding
- Looks very elegant and stylish
- A bit heavy
2. Orlov Hill Leather Premium Western Saddle – Best for Budget Shoppers
- Made of 100% leather
- The floral design is hand tooled
- The seat is brown suede padded, which holds you tight
- Its underside is padded for the comfort of the horse
- It comes with a free headstall breast collar
- Price: Check Price
Many people who want to buy a western saddle for the first time might worry that they’d have to spend a lot of money. It is usually true; saddles can be very expensive, but that is not the case here. This saddle is very well-priced. Orlov Hill proves that if you look around a bit more, you can find your dream deals. This saddle wins when it comes to offering great value at a very good price. It is versatile, attractive, and very affordable.
This saddle stands out among the rest due to its appearance. It is made from 100% leather with stainless steel hardware. The floral design that is completely hand tooled on it gives off a classic cowboy vibe. Many riders will enjoy that a lot. The suede seat of this saddle is thickly padded both for your comfort and that of your horse. You can enjoy long rides with it without feeling any discomfort.
This saddle comes with a free headstall. The oiled latigo and billet straps are included in the package as well. This saddle is designed in a way so that you can use it for various purposes such as show events, trail riding, and pleasure riding. This saddle comes in the sizes of 15, 16, and 17. This is nice since initially, they only offered two sizes. Now, younger riders can buy this saddle too.
- Reasonably priced
- Made with premium 100% leather
- Attractive design
- Comfortable and versatile
- Available only in one color
3. Tex Tan Salem Flex Saddle – Best for Versatility
- Available in three different sizes
- Memory foam-padded seat
- Pre-turned fenders
- Comes in two colors
- Weighs 25 pounds
- Price: Check Price
Tex Tan is among the leading saddle makers. They are respected for their high quality and original design when it comes to saddles. They prioritize customer satisfaction and handcraft their products, using only good quality leather. All of the saddles by Tex Tan are made in the USA.
Comfort, style, rideability, usefulness, and fitness are things that the maker kept in mind while making this saddle. This saddle has a custom look, which is nothing too fancy. But it looks elegant when trotting around with your horse on it.
One thing that you’ll love the most about this saddle is the comfort it provides when you ride on it. The seat has Visco memory foam padding. It takes the shape of your body and adjusts to it as time passes.
The fenders of this saddle are pre-turned. Unturned fenders cause you to get tired after a while. If you want to ride for a long time, you should buy a saddle with pre-turned fenders. Other features of this saddle are a standard tree, butterfly air channel skirt, long leather strings, silver flank slot, border tooling, and soft fenders and jockeys. This saddle is available in two colors and three sizes (15, 16, and 17).
- Comfortable seat
- Available in two colors, providing a variety
- Pre-turned fenders for comfort
- Durable build
- Basic design
4. TN Saddlery Plantation Western-Style Saddle – Best for Long Rides
- The 6 3/4 inches gullet is flared, especially for gaited horses
- Doesn’t weigh a lot
- Leather is full grain and soft
- Underskirt has neoprene foam for comfort
- Hand-rubbed oil finish
- Price: Check Price
We are glad to be talking about this saddle. Tennessee Saddlery has been in this business for the past 16 years or so. They started making their products in Nashville, Tennessee. All of their products have great quality, design, and durability. They are also very comfortable.
Since this saddle is a plantation saddle, the maker designed it, keeping both the rider and the horse in mind. Plantation saddles should provide comfort, safety, and support during long rides, and that is what this saddle does. The padding on the seat is high density and thick. It also looks great. The saddle is a combination of mahogany and black. You and your horse will turn some heads with this saddle on.
When you look at it, you will think it is expensive, but that is not true. It is quite affordable for what it offers. It is made with full-grain, soft and supple leather. The fender straps are leather with reinforced nylon. This prevents the holes from stretching. The fleece lining is also nylon, while the underskirt has neoprene foam padding for comfort. This saddle fits all types of horses. It comes in four sizes (15, 16, 17, and 18).
- Fits many types of horses
- Very comfortable for long rides
- Lightweight
- Durable construction
- Only available in one color
Buyer’s Guide
Before you go and order a saddle for your horse, it would be best to learn about them as much as possible. This is the only way to make sure that you make an informed decision. Saddles for gaited horses often come in various sizes, designs, materials, colors, and prices. You should consider all the important factors and the needs of your horse first. Don’t just go for the first one you see. The material, design, flexibility, features, and durability of saddles matter a lot. Read on to know why that is so.
Material
It is one of the first factors you should consider when you buy a saddle. Saddles are mostly made of pure leather or synthetic. The final material that you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the budget.
Leather
This is the traditional material that most saddles consist of. If you want a saddle that will last for years, then leather is your option. Some people just like the feel of leather. But you shouldn’t settle for every product with leather in its description. Not all leathers are equal. Manufacturers often combine leather saddles with fiberglass, fleece, and nylon for added durability.Synthetic
Many saddles these days consist of synthetic leather and suede material. They look so traditional that you won’t be able to tell on first look that they are synthetic. These saddles are often light and easy to clean. They also come in a wide variety of colors and designs. But one thing is for sure: They won’t be as durable as original leather.Design
Most saddles for gaited horses are western-style saddles. These saddles have a special design for long rides. They are a bit heavy compared to other types of saddles, but they are comfortable to ride in. The weight of the saddle spreads over a large portion of the horse’s back.
The western-style saddle itself comes in four different designs. They are roping, ranch, barrel racing, trail, and pleasure-style saddles. You can read more about them here. All of these designs have pros and cons. When you read about it, you can decide for yourself what suits you best.
Flexibility
Whenever you buy a saddle, make sure that the material is good. It should be flexible and smooth. Otherwise, it will feel like cardboard. A flexible saddle means that it should twist and turn to your will, which is important while you are riding. A rigid saddle will only be a hindrance during riding.
Features
The critical features of any saddle are the seat, rigging, and padding. You can divide the saddle’s seat into other parts called cantle, skirt, horn, and swell. All of these materials play their role in how the saddle functions. They could comprise different materials.
Rigging is the part where you can find the dee rings that connect the saddle to the horse. There are different types of rigging, and they all offer different levels of comfort. Padding is another feature that is vital for the comfort of the saddle. Most western-style saddles have thick cushioning. But you should know that with more padding comes more weight.
Durability
Durability is also an important feature to consider. A good-quality saddle should at least last for a few years. As we said earlier, saddles made of real leather are bound to last longer than synthetic ones. But it also means that they are expensive. So, in the end, you’d have to make a decision keeping in mind your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best saddle for gaited horses?
A good saddle for gaited horses should have a comfortable seat, durable construction, and lightweight design. The saddle by TN Saddlery has all these features and more. It is also available in four sizes, something that other saddles don’t offer.
Do gaited horses need a special saddle?
Many gaited horses are known to have high-stepping movement. That is why they need a special saddle. These saddles allow them more freedom for the horse’s shoulders. Special saddles make riding more comfortable for both the rider and the horse.
What is a gaited horse saddle?
Gaited horses have a unique movement style, which is why they require a different saddle. The shape may not look different from other saddles, but the tree of the gaited horse saddles is different. These saddles free up their back and shoulder for free movement.
How do you put a saddle on a gaited horse?
Start by putting a saddle blanket on the horse first. Follow this by putting the saddle on the horse. Position the saddle correctly and make sure it fits. Now, secure the front cinch and then proceed with the back cinch. Walk the horse around and see for any discomfort. Now you’ve saddled your horse.
What are the gaits of a gaited horse?
There are five gaits of a gaited horse. They are canter, walk, trot, gallop, and flying pace.
Conclusion
By now, you should know that the movements of your gaited horse are unique. Their back and shoulder are more involved in the movement compared to other horses. That’s why they need special saddles that will allow them to move freely. Western-style saddles are more than often recommended for this purpose.
In this article, we have reviewed the best saddles for gaited horses. They allow freedom of movement for the horse and comfort to you. The final decision will depend on your preferences and budget.