Arabian horse saddles – for the hard-to-fit horse. Does your horse have a wide, short back? This saddle may be for you. Because of their versatility, the Arabian horse competes in an array of fields of equestrian sports. Arabian horses are known for dominating the discipline of endurance riding because of their stamina. They’re the most popular breed in competitions such as the Tevis Cup.
They also participate in endurance events worldwide, including the World Equestrian Games. But the Arabian horse is not built like traditional horses. So, you need to buy the right saddle, or your Arabian will suffer terribly. You need to buy an Arabian Horse Saddle.
Arabian Horse Saddles – What Kind of Saddle Should You Buy?
Saddling up an Arabian horse with a traditional western saddle is a mistake. The Arabian horse has a short, broad back and low, flat withers. Saddles with full quarter horse bars (like the Fabtron Arabian Saddle in the picture below) are designed to fit horses with wide, fairly flat backs.
While saddles with semi-quarter horse bars are designed to fit horses with medium-sized backs. The main difference between the two sizes is in the angle at which the bars are positioned and how wide the gullet is.
Features and Benefits
Arabian horse saddles are specifically designed with the Arabian horse’s body in mind. Arabian saddles are designed so that the gullet doesn’t rub on the horse’s withers. Low gullets can hit the withers during movements and cause extreme pain.
Also, the skirts and bars are not long like traditional saddles, which put pressure on the horse’s loins and cause chafing.
Arabian Horse Saddles – Shorter Bars
The shape of the bars in a horse saddle determines the way the saddle fits your horse. Arabian horses require shorter bars. So, the saddle tree with Arabian bars are shorter, set wider, and have more curve to fit the curvature of the Arabian horse’s back.
In addition, Arabians need plenty of rocker (the amount and type of curve in the bar from front to rear), which is not provided by the standard saddle design.
Arabian Horse Saddles – Rounded Shorter Skirts
The skirts for the Arabian saddles are no longer than 27 inches and are usually rounded to fit this horse’s shorter back. The rounded skirt allows freedom of movement.
Wider Gullet
The gullet is the tunnel underneath the fork. It straddles over the withers of the horse. The way the fork is designed and the angle of the bars of the saddle tree determine how wide and how high the gullet will be.
Arabian saddles are designed so that the gullet doesn’t rub on the horse’s withers. Low gullets can hit the withers during movements and cause extreme pain.
Now if there’s not enough clearance over the withers, it causes problems. For instance, if the height of the gullet is too low, the saddle will rub against the horse’s withers. And if the gullet is too wide, the saddle will sit too low on the horse’s shoulders and rub against the horse’s withers.
This puts the horse in excruciating pain.
A Variety of Styles
The Arabian horse saddle comes in different brands, types, and styles, including endurance, trail, and show versions. Trusted brands like Circle Y Arabian Saddles, Dakota Arabian Saddles, American Saddlery, Big Horn Arabian Saddles brands all carry high-quality Arabian saddles both new and used. If you’re looking for the perfect saddle fit for your Arabian horse, visit the Horsesaddleshop.
What’s your experience in buying an Arabian horse saddle? Please leave your comments below. I’d love to hear from you.
So I do have a question. If you ride an Arabian horse in an endurance riding event, wouldn’t buying a saddle made just for endurance work? Or do you have to take into account the shape of the horse? I would certainly want the horse to be comfortable for the ride. Great post!
Hi there! Thanks for your question. Yes. You must take into account the shape of the horse. The first step is to look for an endurance saddle because the endurance saddle is designed for the specific TYPE of horse used in endurance riding. You don’t have to buy different saddles. To be clear, Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races.
Arabian horses aren’t the only horses used for endurance riding. There are quite a few. But they’re not all built exactly alike. There’s the Akhal-Teke, the Anglo-Arabian, Boerperd, and more. So you really have to take into account the size and shape of the horse, even if the horse is used for endurance.
I hope that answers your question.
Hi Shalisha
Great article and I have learned so much reading this, that I had no idea on before now. I love horses too but didn’t know about the needs of the Arabian horse when it comes to saddles so thank you and I will pass your web address on to a friend of mine who has an Arab/ standard breed horse
Hi Vicki! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Most riders don’t understand the needs of the Arabian horse in terms of saddle, so I’m glad to put the information out there.
Hi Shalisha, it’s really obvious that you care about and love horses. What a wonderful passion to have and I’m sure you love every second of being around these majestic creatures.
I had no idea of the differences between the Arabian and Western horses, but it’s good to know appropriate saddles are available for both the horse’s and the rider’s comfort. Do you own your own horse? If so what type is it and have you had experience using these saddles yourself? Thanks
Hi Stefanie. Thanks for commenting. Yes, I care about horses a lot. Yes, the difference between horses means the difference in saddle type needed. A lot of people don’t know that. Also, a lot of people don’t understand that because the Arabian horse has a wider and shorter back, it needs a saddle tree with short bars, so they try to fit the horse with a regular saddle, which protrudes into their loins and impedes shoulder movement. I don’t own a horse.
BUT I love horses and I’ve taken up horseback riding in NYC. There used to be a stable here, but no more. The stables are in Long Island and Upstate New York. I haven’t used an Arabian saddle because I don’t do endurance riding. I’m a trail saddle gal. But the more horse riding lessons I take, the more I’m sure I’ll branch off into other disciplines.
This is a really interesting and informative article. I had no idea that Arabian horses needed a different type of saddle! Can Arabian horse saddles be used on any other breeds? Saddles are obviously expensive and it must be pricey to have to buy different ones for each type of horse you own?
Hi Amy. Yes, if your other horses have the same build or is a crossbreed of your Arabian horse. But remember, everything depends on the riding discipline you’re going to engage in as well as the type of horse you have.
Hello,
I was reading a few of your posts and I am learning so much from them! Keep them coming, I had no idea the Arabian horse would require a different style of saddle!
Hi Brianne. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, Arabian horses have wider shorter backs and need a specialized saddle. Horses are like people – they come in all shapes and sizes.
I love these saddles types. I have gone through a few of your other posts and had a quick question- Do these saddles have the ability to come in leather only, or can you get them made from other materials? If so, what would you recommend?
Hi Andrew. It really depends on the brand and type of saddle. Some are made saddles are made with leather, and other saddles are made of synthetic material. What would I recommend? It really depends on what riding discipline you engage in and what’s most important to you. Sorry I can’t give you a specific answer. It’s just that there are so many different saddle brands and different types for each discipline.