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Used Saddles and Bridles | | | At Used Saddles and Bridles UK we have selected the best deals on new and used saddles, bridles, reins, stirrups and stirrup leathers, and show jumps. We have live horse tack listings, with the best deals for new and used saddles and other horse tack - all popular brands of used saddles available, including used Stubben, Thorowgood and Wintec saddles. We have done the searches for you to make it easier for you to find a great deal in used saddles and other horse tack. All the tack listings on this site are live and updated as new items are added so you see the latest available items. | |
| Read Articles from Used Saddles and Bridles UK:
| | Fitting Your Horse's Saddle | For want of a saddle the race was lost". Few people realise how much difference a saddle can make to a horse's performance and how important the fit of the saddle is to each horse. Saddles, like horses, come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and the following guide should be a useful aid to anyone wanting to fit a saddle for the first time or to a new horse.
Firstly the saddle must fit the horse and not you. This may sound daft but many people buy a saddle because it is "so comfortable" and overlook the fact that it is causing the horse discomfort. The main purpose of the saddle is, apart from securing a safe place for the rider, to take the weight off the horses spine and onto the muscles that run down its back. There are a few exceptions to this rule but these are for specific purposes and not in use by the day to day rider. Read More about Fitting Your Horse's Saddle
| | The Different Saddle Types | The Different Saddle Types
The English Saddle is the main saddle used for horse riding throughout the world. It has a spring tree as a foundation
and is well padded for the comfort of both horse and rider and is designed to allow freedom of movement for the horse whatever it is
asked to do - jumping, dressage, galloping cross country.
The main types of English Saddle are:
The All Purpose English Saddle As the name implies a general saddle useful for showing, hacking and the occasional
jumping class.
The Jumping Saddle is desgined for show jumping, cross-country and fox hunting. The main difference between this and
the all-purpose saddle is the design of the flap which is cut forward to make it possible to use shorter stirrups to bring the rider's
leg into the correct position for jumping. The flap also has added knee rolls to support the rider's knees.
Read More about The Different Saddle Types
| | Taking care of your saddle | How to take care of your saddle
A well looked after saddle should last you for many years. The main requirement is to keep the saddle clean and oiled. Wipe the saddle down with a soft cloth every time you use it, if it's excessively dirty scrub it thoroughly with a bristle brush, you can use a toothbrush to clean hard to get to places like tooling or seams. Regularly (at least 4 times a year) clean your saddle thoroughly with soapy water (glycerine soap is particularly good) and let it dry well by hanging the saddle outside on a warm day if possible. Once dry, oil the saddle with a light oil applied with a cloth or soft brush (baby oil or olive oil work well) then seal with a leather conditioner. Take care not to apply too much oil to the saddle or you will clog the pores and make the saddle sticky
Read More about Taking care of your saddle
| | The Parts of a Bridle | The Parts of a Bridle
A leather bridle consists of several working parts, and it essential to learn what each part is for and where it goes on the horse to enable you to fit the bridle to your horse properly. The bridle has the following parts:
The Headpiece is the anchor of the bridle and holds it in place. It goes over the horse's forehead, behind the ears.
The Browband is placed above the horse's eyes and below his ears. It's purpose is to keep the bridle in place.
Read More about The Parts of a Bridle
| | Types of Horse Bits | Types of Horse Bits
The bit is used with the reins to control the horse by applying pressure to different parts of the horse's mouth and nose. The
different types of bits are designed to apply the pressure where it is required for control. Some bits are kinder (i.e apply less
pressure than others), always use the least pressure required to control the horse.
The snaffle bit is probably the kindest bit you can use. It applies pressure on the tongue, bars and corners of the
mouth. A wider mouthpiece is kinder than a thinner mouthpiece
Read More about Types of Horse Bits
| | The Parts of a Saddle | The Parts of a Saddle
The Saddle Tree is the foundation of the saddle and can be one of two designs - rigid or spring. A spring tree is
usually used for English saddles, and a rigid tree for Western saddles.A spring tree is made from thin plywood, to give the shape,
covered with fibreglass to give strength. The 'spring' is provided by steel strips under the saddle running from the front to the back
of the saddle. A rigid tree is made from either wood wrapped with leather, or pressure molded fibreglass and wood shavings. Steel
plates are attached underneath the tree for further reinforcement.
Another type of saddle is the Treeless Saddle in which the support is provided by a fibreglass pommel and cantle instead of a
tree.
The Pommel is the front part of the saddle that rises to skim over the horse's withers.
The Cantle is the part that rises at the back of the seat.
The Seat is the dip between the pommel and cantle where the rider sits.
Read More about The Parts of a Saddle
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