Horses have been used for a long time now as a means of transportation and as a way of enriching our lives. In order to give you a realistic and clear image of the best english saddles on the market, we have conducted researching and highlighted the most notable brands in this article.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Collegiate Scholar All Purpose Saddle | Best Overall |  |
1. Collegiate Scholar All Purpose Saddle
Pros:
- Wide seat for better stability
- Round cantle for a more comfortable ride
- Pressure distribution is even and it’s flexible so it won’t get to sore
- Made from durable saddle leather
- Steel stirrup bars are very durable
- Heavy enough to ensure stability
- Darker brown gives a more elegant look
- Back cinch is adjustable
- Sitka tree
Cons:
- It’s flat and might not be suitable for comfort when you’re riding in a standing position
- The price is a little bit high
The Collegiate All Purpose saddle is a genuine saddle providing all-around comfort. While it’s made for English riding, you can also use it for Western.
This saddle is offered in various horse sizes. The size 16 is the correct one for most school horses. The 16-inch Collegiate All Purpose Saddle is designed to provide maximum stability.
Features:
Cons:
2. Circle Y Alpine Flex2 Trail Saddle
Pros:
- Made in USA
- Full-grain leather
- Perfect for weekend trail rides
- Made for the rider whose body is a little more slender
This is an excellent product from Circle Y with a lot of great features to consider. First of all, this saddle is made in the USA, and its construction and durability are top notch. It’s handmade with full-grain leather that can really go the distance and looks and feels great.
One of the most important things to consider when you’re thinking about a saddle is the width. This saddle’s width is 11 inches, so it’s pretty much perfect for the rider whose body is a bit more slender. It’s best for weekend trail rides and excursions of a fairly short distance.
The seat is 14 inches in width, so that gives you a lot of options as far as shock absorption is concerned. That makes the saddle pretty comfortable even if you’re riding a few hours at a time.
3. M.Toulouse Annice Pro Close Contact Saddle w/Genesis 17 inch
Pros:
- Amazingly comfortable
- Thin synthetic leather
- Synthetic suede panels
- Crushed wool flocking
- Designed for endurance and long hours in the saddle
- Wide seat for added comfort
- Comes in many sizes
- Designed with classic English and western flair
- Designed for on and off road use
- Durable cover
M. Toulouse is a renowned saddle brand dating back to 1953. The Annice Pro Close Contact Saddle is their newest design developed with comfort, stability, and longevity in mind.
The saddle is made with smooth leather that starts out thick and soft before quickly conforming to your body, with this simple break-in action.
The tapering skirt and firm seat offer a comfortable balance of airflow and contact pressure, and the deep seat will keep you balanced over the withers while also relaxing the upper thighs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best brands of western saddles?
My top picks as of this writing would include Aussie, Baker, Barr, Bates, Big D, Circle Y, Doddlebug, Duratex, EJC, Ferrara, Geranium, Goossen, Grand Prix, Grizzly, Holtack, Jimmick, King Charles Saddlery, Kenton, Kincade, Martin Saddlery, Mecum, Oakwood, Pendleton, Philbrook, Pete Brook, Pinnacle, Ranger, Ritchey, Rocking W, Rocking W Saddle Shop, Roper, Roy Baker, Simpson, Spann, Sport Hill, Spur Outfitters, St. Croix, Tucker, Universal, and Weavers.
What are the best English saddle brands?
The best English saddle brands offer more of a dressage look as opposed to a western saddle. A dressage saddle is made with a deep seat for more comfort while riding and the saddle skirt is very deep so as to provide maximum support. The best brands for English saddles are ones that are made in the UK.
The best western saddle brands are more for ranch life rather than show jumping. Western saddles use skirts that are usually shorter and not as wide as in dressage saddles. English saddles can be used for western riding and vice versa. However, generally, western saddles make use of stirrups.
For both Western and English saddles, the designs are also very different. The best English saddle brands are made in France, Italy, or the UK. Models like the Breton, the Passier, or the Petite Passier are known to be of top quality.
What are the best saddles?
For English saddles, I believe the best in the market is Myler. The company has been around for a long time, and has produced countless exceptional saddles.
For western saddles, you have to look no further than Circle Y. The company has been around since the 1800’s and has delivered saddles for the cavalry and for cowboys. They produce high-quality saddles for the rider looking for something rugged and great for long rides.
One more brand which I’d recommend for English saddles is Stubben. Though not as old as Myler or Circle Y, they have been producing quality saddles since the 1900’s.
In this guide to the best English and western saddle brands, I give a rundown of several different companies and their products.
What is the most comfortable Western saddle?
Most comfortable Western saddles are ones that have a seat that is easy to adjust, is built well with a thick, high-quality leather, and allows just enough room for a short-backed horse. A high quality English saddle marries all the strengths of a Western saddle with the better-looking seat, but it still comes with an open-back to help keep the rider cool.
Conclusion
It is quite obvious that the companies with the most years of experience make the best saddles. However, there have been plenty of newcomers that have risen to the top over the past few years. All of the companies that are mentioned on this page produce high-quality saddles to high standards. The first thing to decide is whether you want an English or Western saddle. The difference between them lies in how the saddle fits on the horse. They both have advantages and disadvantages. You need to decide if you want to go with one or the other.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Collegiate Scholar All Purpose Saddle | Best Overall | |