Best Horse Saddle Reviews 2018

Do you wish to ride with taste or class, or are you more concerned about functionality and performance? Whatever category of rider you fall into, we know that your search for a saddle is for a good cause. We have researched many brands of the best horse saddles, and have selected these five from five top brands. These brands have other horse saddles in their collections that you can check out if the featured ones do not meet your requirements.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Type

Size

Material

Tree

Color

Our Top Choice

Tahoe Synthetic Basket Weave Saddle

Tahoe sets itself apart with its detailed and unique designs on horse saddles. It sees its customers as royalty and translates that to the saddles it makes.

It's lightweight and strong, and pretty with its basket weave design. It's also comfortable, quiet and features a fiber flex tree.

It may not be very comfortable for a long race.

Western

22 x 25 x 35 inches; 22 lbs

Basket weave leather

Fiber flex tree

Brown

Best Value

AceRugs Western Show Horse Saddle

AceRugs transferred its expertise in the sales of rugs to sales of horse saddles, and enhanced it with a unique and personal customer experience.

It is made of durable Cordura material which is easy to maintain, and also has a soft padded seat for a comfortable ride.

The saddle pad tends to slip, but it could be replaced with another saddle pad.

Western

23.5 x 28.5 x 33 inches; 18 lbs

Synthetic cordura material

Double reinforced fiberglass

6 colors available

Wintec Pro Dressage Saddle

Wintec owns the trademark for the CAIR air cushion system, which replaces traditional materials to give both horse and rider a comfortable ride.

This horse saddle's technology means a comfortable ride for you and your horse. It is also easy to clean with water.

No problems were reported at the time of the review.

Western

16 to 17.5 inches; 13.2 lbs.

Synthetic

Gullet plate

Black

King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle

King Series is known for distributing quality and innovative horse saddles worldwide at budget-friendly prices, giving you value for your money.

It has scratch-resistant neoprene skirts with full quarter bars. It also has quick change accessories, including skirts and fenders.

This saddle may need a little more padding for the underside.

English

26 x 24 x 20 inches; 23 lbs

Suede leather

Rawhide-covered

5 colors available

Silver Fox Padded Flap Saddle

Silver Fox has gained a reputation as a trusted brand that provides unequaled pre-sales, sales and after sales services to keep its customers coming back.

One interesting feature of this saddle is its cantle height, which is almost as high as that of a dressage saddle. The price is budget-friendly.

The plastic undersides may be uncomfortable for the horse.

English

24 x 18 x 18 inches; 19 lbs

Durable grain leather

Regular

Black, brown, havana

(Updated May 16, 2017)

Skip ahead and go directly to the reviews.

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Watch Our Horse Saddle Review

How Do I Choose the Best Horse Saddle?

If horses could speak, we believe that one of the things we would hear from “the horse’s mouth” is how comfortable or uncomfortable it feels carrying its riders. This is why most riders are on the lookout for a saddle that is very comfortable for them and their horse. There are many things that make horse riding pleasurable for both you and the horse, such as horse boots, horse blankets and horse sheets, but none is more crucial than a great horse saddle. Choosing the right saddle can be confusing, because there are different types of saddles based on different classifications, involving riding styles and riding activities. They include:

Western Saddles: These saddles allow riders to relax back into them deeply. This is done to protect the horse. It was designed to distribute the rider's weight on the horse’s back evenly. If you are using your horse for roping, this saddle type allows for counterbalancing. Western riders are more likely to hold the reins in one hand. It has a high horn in front of it that accommodates the lariat used when tethering the horse to any object.

English Saddles: These take their root from saddles that were for military use. English riders use both hands for the reins. For the English saddles, the riders "post" their trot. This means that the rider rises off the saddle every two steps or gallops the horse makes, in order to release some of the stress triggered by the mass of the rider on the back of the horse. They are smaller than Western-style saddles and are used for hunting events.

Some of these saddles come with accessories such as saddle pads, while others have them fixed onto the saddle. Whatever option you choose for your saddle, you should have the required accessories in mind also. Do you need a saddlebag for extra storage space while going on a ride, or a rope for hitching the horse?

How do you decide on the right saddle for you? What factors should you consider before making your choice? What determines the type of saddle you should choose? We did this research to bring some of these salient factors to your notice and give you some basic information to guide you. Stay with us.

Price

You get what you pay for. The most expensive thing you will buy for your horse will be the saddle. This is enough reason to take your time before making this purchase. If you get a saddle with low-quality materials and construction, it's likely to break. Your horse will pay the price with discomfort, and may even get hurt. Price can be influenced by a lot of factors, including material, activity type, and accessories.

There are cheap horse saddles on the market, but should that be what you go for? We have avoided them, as they are not cost-effective in the long run. We focused on top-quality saddles only. For a decent English or Western horse saddle, you'll spend between $150 to $700, depending on the activity your saddle is for. Rest assured that if you pick one from our selection, you are getting value for every dollar spent.

Features

Equestrians, horse riders and horse lovers have one thing in common: they love well-fitting saddles. It gives them maximum satisfaction when the saddles for their horses fit correctly, because that means they get to enjoy a comfortable ride with their horses. A poorly fitting saddle puts both the horse and the rider in a cranky mood and can hurt both of them. When you want to buy a saddle, the most important factor to consider is whether the saddle fits the horse correctly, particularly if the horse is to partake in sporting activities such as jumping or racing. It is important to know what type of saddle you are looking for and what type of activity you're planning.

The features to look for in your saddle include the following:

Sizing: know the measurement for horn, cantle, gullet and skirt
Material: leather or synthetic
Activity type: Roping, dressage, endurance, reining, etc.
State of saddle: new or used
Horse fit: withers, shoulder and back length
Rider fit: seat and stirrup sizes
Customizable: find out if you can customize your saddle to your preference
Weight: find out how light the saddle is
Tree and bar type: flex/full quarter, wade/semi quarter, etc.
Accessories: pads, jockey, fenders, etc.

Decide on the features that are priorities to you while we go into further details about them and their importance.

Construction and Design

Leather materials are more durable and long-lasting than synthetic materials. These days, manufacturers of saddles have begun making upgraded synthetic leathers (such as Cordura and Suede leather) that are very durable and easy to clean. They come in different colors, which make them quite appealing. They are also available in both English and Western saddles. Leather is the known material for long-lasting saddles, but some leather products do not come with the high quality of some synthetic ones. The most important thing is to buy the best quality you can afford and take good care of it..

Some people prefer to go for used saddles, either because of cost or horse fit. This is quite tricky, because you may not know the condition of the tree or leather for a used saddle. On the good side of things, a used saddle has already had its “break-in” period, making the leather already soft. However, with a new saddle, you are more likely to have a warranty and good return policies.

The type of tree your saddle has goes a long way in determining if it will fit comfortably on your horse. It is generally advised to go for wood trees, as they appear to be more flexible and adjust better with the horse’s movement. However, some synthetic trees, like Ralide, have been improved to behave like wood trees.

Performance and Ease of Use

The activity type you want to use your saddle for is important. Consider the function of the saddle you want to buy. You would not want to buy a trail saddle for a roping activity. There is a purpose attached to every saddle, and some saddles are made for a certain type of horse. Be sure that your saddle fits how you want to use it. You can get an all-purpose English saddle if all you do is just some weekend riding. Otherwise, look for a specific saddle that suits your activity type.

We understand that it may be hard to find the perfect saddle for your horse. The idea is to pick one that's comfortable enough not to cause injury to your horse. If you have different horses of the same size, one saddle may work for all of them but if they are different sizes, get saddles of different sizes. It's important that your horse’s withers are cleared, its shoulders have free movement, and there is even weight distribution on its back.

Both you and your horse should be comfortable for you to have a good ride. If your horse is comfortable and you are not, you may be unhappy and may even sustain some injuries. If your saddle does not fit you, you will find yourself in an awkward riding position. Important factors are your seat size and the angle, the position of the stirrup, the height of the cantle, the angle and height of the fork and your weight. The best advice is to try as many options as possible. If your seller offers try-outs and returns, that's all the better for you.

What is the Best Horse Saddle?

The best horse saddle is that which fits your activity type, and gives both you and your horse a comfortable ride. With the features you have taken note of from our buying guide, it is now time to choose the saddle that best meets your needs.

Our Top Choice

The Tahoe Synthetic Basket Weave Leather Western Saddle is a well-padded full quarter horse-bar saddle, with a suede seat and adjustable fender capped with a basket weave design. For a horse saddle that comes with matching sets of accessories, check out the Tahoe Kids and Adults Sparkle Conchos Western Saddle.

Tahoe Synthetic Western Saddle with Basket Weave Leather Trims – Comes in 5 Sizes

Tahoe Horse Saddle 19-1230-BR-14 – 14”

Features

With over 30 years’ experience in the manufacture and sales of equine products, Tahoe has established itself as an expert in the knowledge of horses and their riders. Not only does it show this expertise in the products it makes, it also employs good business practices to ensure its customers have an exceptional experience while using its products. The outstanding feature about this brand is that all its saddles are made with a touch of sophistication with their tastefully-done intricate patterns. This makes the saddles look like they are to be used by royalty.

The Tahoe Synthetic Basket Weave Leather Western Saddle ($209.95 -- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) has a basket weave design. This gives it a personal feel since basket weaves generally come off as handcrafted from the heart. You'll be surprised at how lightweight this saddle is, owing to the fact that it is really sturdy and well padded. Its suede seat gives it a rich look. You are safe from the discomfort that comes from the squeaky sound you get when riding on leather seats.

It has a fiber flex tree to let the saddle flex easily with the horse’s back as it moves. It does not attempt to create a fit, but enhances the fit so it is not stiff when ridden. The tree also has full quarter horse bars that relax flat on the back of the horse, giving both you and the horse a comfortable ride. The fender is adjustable from 22.5 – 35 inches from seat to stirrup. This means that it can carry a rider of any frame. It has a horn of 3 ½ inches, a four-inch cantle, a six-inch gullet, and a skirt of 26 x 25 inches, with a weight of approximately 22 pounds. This saddle has been a best seller for the past 10 years. With all these features, a two-year warranty also covers it.

There are other saddle options from Tahoe. Have a look at them if this is not the horse saddle you had in mind.

Best Value

The AceRugs Beautiful Western Pleasure Show Horse Saddle has a double reinforced fiberglass flex tree and a soft synthetic underside fleece. If what you need is an English riding horse saddle with the same features, try the AceRugs New Brown All Purpose English Riding Horse Saddle.

AceRugs Beautiful Western Pleasure Trail Barrel Racing Show Horse Saddle With Set Pad – Available in 5 Sizes & 6 Colors

AceRugs Horse Saddle – Black; Size 16

Features

AceRugs has a mission to provide the exact riding items you need at the best possible prices, allowing you to create your own style with as much ease as possible. This company started with importation and sales of “all things rugs,” from machine-made to hand-tufted to hand-knotted ones. It has a wide selection of products in different sizes, colors and designs, and has applied this knowledge to the sales of horse saddles with a difference. Its horse saddles are known to have sophisticated looks, as if they were taken right out of battle movies.

The AceRugs Beautiful Western Pleasure Show Horse Saddle ($199.99 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is budget-friendly. It is very easy to maintain, due to its Cordura material, which is easy to clean and is used for most military durable and versatile outfits. This saddle has a double reinforced fiberglass tree. Not only is this a flexible tree that conforms to the horse’s movement, it's double reinforced. With its soft synthetic fleece underside, you have all you need for a comfortable horse saddle.

Oh, it has a soft padded seat also; is there anything more to add? Its measurements are: gullet - 7 inches, cantle - 5 inches, horn - 3 inches, swell - 12 inches, skirt - 24.5 – 28.5 inches, stirrups - 26 – 33 inches with room for adjustments. It has a weight of approximately 18 pounds. Apart from the featured black color, you can also get this saddle in blue, red, pink, green, and purple. It is available in sizes of 14, 15 and 17 inches.

Not the type you were looking for? Please check out other horse saddles from AceRugs.

The Wintec Pro Dressage Saddle is specially designed for riding and training. It lets you custom-fit your saddle to your horse’s shape, and its Equigrip technology keeps the saddle from slipping. Looking for a saddle designed for long-distance riding? Try the Wintec Pro Endurance Saddle.

Wintec Pro Dressage Horse Saddle with CAIR Technology – Available in 4 Sizes

Wintec Horse Saddle 661974 – 16.5

Features

Wintec showcases “fun in a ride” as one of the focal points of its horse saddle business. It believes that if it cannot make it better, then it should not make it. So, it makes it a point of duty to improve on any product it introduces into the equine market. This has made it responsible for most of the modern features and advantages presented by horse saddles in the market today. Wintec owns the patented CAIR® system, which is air cushion technology that replaces traditional fillings with air. This was endorsed by riders, vets and remedial therapists as a welcome development, because it adjusts to the rider’s weight and cushions the horse’s back.

The Wintec Pro Dressage Saddle ($770 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is uniquely made to be used for dressage, as it gives a close contact feel. Its other features include the following:

Equigrip panels to help prevent the saddle from slipping off the horse’s back
Covered with equisuede, a type of suede material that feels like a mix of leather and suede
An ideal saddle for all levels of training and riding
Medium gullet plate with an easy-change gullet system
A RISER system that combines with the gullet system to let you custom-fit your saddle to your horse’s changing shape
Recessed stirrup bar for an easy transition from your seat through your legs, for close contact experience with your horse
Adjustable Y-girthing system to keep the saddle in place
Adjustable/removable FlexiBloc system for choosing the type of thigh support that is convenient for you
Lightweight
Easy to maintain
Easy to clean with water

If this horse saddle does not meet your requirements, browse the other options from Wintec.

The King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle has adjustable padded sewn stirrups with shock-absorbing construction, and a comfortable suede seat. If you need a saddle with a semiquarter bar and a lighter color, look at the King Series Cowboy RO Serpentine Saddle.

King Series Suede Seat Synthetic Trail Saddle – Available in 5 Colors & 6 Sizes

King Series Horse Saddle – Black/Pink - 14

Features

King Series is a horse saddle product line of JT International, one of the biggest distributors of horse equipment worldwide. Its founder started out in 1973 by selling horse equipment from store to store, and personally to individuals. In the course of these personal interactions, he learned firsthand the expectations of riders and the demands of sellers. Armed with this knowledge, he started importing and exporting his own line of horse equipment in 1983. Today, the brand has become a force in the equine industry. JTI stocks over 10,000 brand names, of which King Series is one of its top brands. The King Series line is for launching quality budget-friendly saddles into the market.

The King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle ($209.99 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is specifically designed for long rides with its adjustable padded sewn stirrups. This is a saddle you would love to have because of its great features, such as:

Shock-absorbing construction
Light weight
Scratch-resistant synthetic skirts and fenders
Comfortable suede seat
Padded stirrup that eases joint stress with pommel and horn
Neoprene in skirts
Attractive silver Conchos
Rawhide-covered tree
Tree with full quarter bars
Quick change buckles, skirts, fenders, and jockey
7-inch horn; 3-inch swell; 12-inch cantle; 5-inch rigging

This saddle also comes in different colors (black, turquoise, pink, purple and brown) and different sizes (11, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 inches).

See the other saddle options from King Series if this saddle does not meet your requirements.

The Silver Fox All Purpose Pad Flap Saddle has a comfortable traditional deep seat. It's made of durable grain leather and is a padded saddle with stirrup. If you need an exercise saddle instead, consider the Silver Fox Suede Exercise Saddle.

Silver Fox All Purpose Padded Flap Saddle – Available in 3 Colors & 6 Sizes

Silver Fox Horse Saddle ES118-2 – Black - 14

Features

Silver Fox is another product line from JT International that was built from over 40 years’ experience. It prides itself on the reputation it has gained from the dependable and trusted services it has provided over the years. These services have made its customers trust it for support with regards to equestrian needs. It has sales counselors who are willing to advise you and walk you through making a purchase that you will be satisfied with. Its after sales support staff is also available to attend to any concerns you may have with your purchase.

The Silver Fox All Purpose Pad Flap Saddle ($133.50 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) features a traditional deep seat that can comfortably accommodate a child. It also has grain leather jockeys and flaps that give it a unique and appealing outlook. Its other features include the following:

Suede leather knee rolls for the protection of the knees
Regular tree
Quarter bars that will fit most horses
Full saddle is made of durable grain leather
Stirrup bars for added safety
Lightweight but sturdy
Budget-friendly price
Has high cantle, almost like a dressage saddle
Can be maintained by washing and oiling
Can be conveniently used by a 13-year-old
Pad is flat and hardly shows a gullet

It is also available in black, brown and havana colors, and in sizes of 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 inches.

Not the type you want? Feel free to check out other saddles from Silver Fox.

Get the Best Horse Saddle of 2018!

Smiling? Happy? Excited? Sure, you are. You now have the information you need to make the right choice. The choice of saddle you make now will be the best for you, since you now know what to look for. If your expected horse saddle was not on this list, you can check out other horse saddles from these brands.

Our Top Choice

Tahoe Synthetic Basket Weave Saddle

Best Value

AceRugs Western Show Horse Saddle

Wintec Pro Dressage Saddle

King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle

Silver Fox Padded Flap Saddle