Best Horse Saddle for Larger Riders: 10 Top Picks for Comfort
The feeling of freedom when galloping on horseback is what any horseback rider desires. However, if you are a person with a large stature, finding a suitable saddle to enjoy those moments comfortably takes work. Finding a suitable saddle can be a big challenge, especially when most saddles on the market are designed for people of average stature.
Are you a horseback rider with a large stature and looking for a comfortable, well-fitting saddle? What type of saddle should I choose? What are the requirements for the size and material of the saddle? This article will help you solve all those problems and introduce the best horse saddle for larger riders.
Best Horse Saddle for Larger Riders: Top 10 Choices
Here we come to the part you’ve been waiting for. Here is a list of the 10 best saddles for heavy riders. Scroll down and see which one is your top pick!
Best For Long-Distance Trail Riding
Big Horn Trail Saddle
Photo credit: Amazon
Product Information
- Color: brown cheery
- Size: 8 – 18
- Durable construction
- Comfortable for both horse and rider
- Versatile design for various riding styles
- Affordable price
- Limited customization options
- May not be ideal for advanced riders
Why We Love It
Big Horn Trail Saddle is a versatile saddle that is suitable for a wide range of terrain and riding activities. It is durable and comfortable for both rider and horse. The Big Horn Trail Saddle is also affordable, making it suitable for many budgets.
Best For Versatile Western Trail Use
Circle Y High Horse Eldorado Trail Saddle
Photo credit: Amazon
Product Information
- Item Weight: 47 Pounds
- Color: Black
- Size: 16
- Classic Western saddle design
- Comfortable for larger riders
- Well-balanced and easy to handle
- High-quality materials
- Can be on the pricier side
- May not be as lightweight as some modern saddles
Why We Love It
DescriptionCircle Y High Horse Eldorado Trail is a traditional saddle with a classic and luxurious design. Because it is composed of premium leather, comfort and longevity are guaranteed. This saddle suits those who love traditional style and want a classy saddle.
Best For Riders Needing Freedom of Movement
Wintec Pro Stock Saddle with Swinging Fenders
Photo credit: Amazon
Product Information
- Item Weight: 1 pound
- Color: Black
- Adjustable fit for a customized experience
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Durable synthetic materials
- Affordable price
- Possibly not as comfortable as conventional leather saddles
- Limited customization options
Why We Love It
A suggestion for the best horse saddle for larger riders is the Wintec Pro Stock Saddle with Swinging Fenders. This is a synthetic saddle with a modern and comfortable design. It can be adjusted to fit each person and each horse.
Best For Dressage Riders Seeking Precision
Bates Artiste Saddles
Photo credit: Amazon
Product Information
- Item Weight: 29 Pounds
- Color: Black
- High-quality leather construction
- Comfortable and secure seat
- Adjustable fit for a customized experience
- Stylish design
- Can be on the pricier side
- Possibly not as robust as some other brands
Why We Love It
DescriptionIf you are looking for the best horse saddle for larger riders, you definitely cannot miss Bates Artiste saddles. This is a dressage saddle line with a modern and luxurious design. The premium leather material is both comfortable and long-lasting.
Best For Versatile Riding Disciplines
Bates All Purpose Saddle w. Heritage Leather
Photo credit: Amazon
Product Information
- Item Weight: 29 Pounds
- Color: Black
- Size: 17.5
- Pros 1Premium heritage leather
- Good grip
- CAIR cushions distribute weight evenly
- Flexible groove system with horse body development
- Comfortable pedal design for rider
- The price will be quite high
- Leather material so needs careful maintenance
Why We Love It
You might also want to check out the Bates All Purpose Saddle w. Heritage Leather if you’re looking for a versatile riding saddle. This saddle is designed with a CAIR cushion that uses air technology to distribute rider weight and provide optimal cushioning for the horse’s back. It also features an easy-to-adjust slot system that allows you to choose the optimal slot width for your horse’s current shape and musculature.
Best For Lightweight Comfort and Convenience
WintecLite HART D-Lux All Purpose Saddle
Photo credit: Amazon
Product Information
- Item Weight: 33 Pounds
- Color: Black
- Size: 16 – 18
- Lightweight
- The CAIR pad design fits snugly
- EASY-CHANGE groove system for easy adjustment to fit the horse’s body
- Ergonomic stirrup and seat system
- Average high price
Why We Love It
The list of best horse saddles for larger riders would not be complete without the WintecLite HART D-Lux All Purpose Saddle. Similar to the Bates Heritage saddle, this saddle is equipped with CAIR padding to optimize the horse’s development. This padding system will continuously adapt to the horse’s working muscles, providing a tailored solution for absolute comfort.
Best For Advanced Dressage Performance
Bates Innova Saddle
Photo credit: Amazon
Product Information
- Item Weight: 22.94 Pounds
- Color: Black
- Innovative design with a comfortable seat
- Durable construction
- Adjustable fit for a customized experience
- Stylish options
- Can be on the pricier side
- May not be as traditional as some other brands
Why We Love It
You can also refer to the Bates Innova saddle. This is a saddle with a unique and comfortable design. It has soft padding and an ergonomic design that reduces pressure on the horse’s and rider’s backs.
Best For Easy Care and Durability
Wintec 2000 All Purpose Saddle
Photo credit: Amazon
Product Information
- Item Weight: 41 Pounds
- Color: Black
- Size: 16.5 – 18
- Affordable price
- Comfortable and secure seat
- Adjustable fit for a customized experience
- Durable synthetic materials
- Possibly not as comfortable as conventional leather saddles
- Limited customization options
Why We Love It
The Wintec 2000 All Purpose is a versatile saddle, suitable for beginners or those wanting to experiment with different saddles. This saddle is made from EquiLeather and Equi-Suede, providing comfort for both rider and horse. It also features the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System, which allows riders to customize the fit of the saddle to suit their horse’s shape.
Best For Show and Performance Riding
Hulara Western Saddle
Photo credit: Amazon
Product Information
- Item Weight: 24.25 Pounds
- Color: Dark Brown
- Size: 15 – 18
- Premium, breathable and durable genuine leather
- Comfortable and smart design with soft cushions, deep seat and support bars
- Multi-purpose use
- Mid-high price
- Limited color options
Why We Love It
DescriptionDon’t miss out on the Hulara Western Saddle if you’re looking for the best horse saddle for larger riders. This saddle is crafted from high-quality full-grain cowhide for durability and great looks. Built on a specially designed curved tree that adapts to the horse’s natural movement, this saddle evenly distributes the rider’s weight, reducing pressure points and discomfort.
Best For Basic Riding and Training
Manaal Enterprises Saddle
Photo credit: Amazon
Product Information
- Item Weight: 32.298 Pounds
- Color: Brown
- Size: 16
- Grippy suede
- Classic saddle design with shiny silver mother-of-pearl
- Padded underside for comfortable horse movement
- Adjustable Blevins stirrups and buckles
- Inconsistent quality
- Manaal Enterprises uses a variety of materials to make their saddles, some of which are not as durable as others.
Why We Love It
Finally, the Manaal Enterprises Saddle is another strong contender on this list. This saddle is made from suede for better grip, making it suitable for a variety of riding purposes. The underside of the saddle is padded with sheepskin to provide maximum comfort for the horse and reduce friction that can cause injury. The stirrup and buckle design can also be easily adjusted for more flexibility.
Essential Qualities to Consider in a Saddle
It is very important to find a correctly fitting saddle that provides enough body support, especially for riders with a larger stature. Here are some key features you should look for in choosing the best horse saddle for larger riders:
Saddle Type
Heavy riders should choose saddles such as English saddles or Western saddles. English saddles have wide panels to help distribute weight evenly, reduce pressure and thick flocks to provide better comfort. English saddles also have deep seats, helping to support a more stable and comfortable sitting position.
Western saddles have wide and deep seats, very suitable for heavy riders. This type of saddle also has a sturdy tree and specially designed panels to reduce pressure on the horse’s back when riding.
Sturdy Tree
First, you need to look for saddles with good tree strength. A sturdy and durable tree is essential to support the additional weight without compromising the structure of the saddle. A sturdy tree also helps the saddle withstand heavy impact during use, prolonging the life of the saddle. Look for saddles with reinforced or flexible trees to evenly distribute the weight.
Wide Seat
The width of the saddle is the most critical factor when choosing the best horse saddle for larger riders. A wider saddle not only supports but also allows for better comfort for a heavier rider. It aids in spreading the weight of the rider more equally to prevent pressure points on the horse’s back during tacking up.
Quality Materials
You also need to pay attention to the saddle material to choose the right saddle. Normally, saddles can be made of leather, synthetic leather, or synthetic materials. Genuine leather is a traditional, durable, and beautiful material, while synthetic leather is cheaper and easy to clean but may not be as durable as genuine leather.
You can also choose a saddle made of synthetic materials such as carbon fiber to take advantage of the lighter and more durable properties.
Proper Padding
When choosing the best horse saddle for larger riders, you also need to consider proper padding. A good saddle needs plenty of padding in the seat and panels to keep you comfortable. Memory foam or gel-cushioned seats are like sitting on a cloud!
Adjustable Features
Don’t forget to look out for additional bridle features like stirrups or reins. Adjustable stirrup bars and rein make it easy to find the right position on your horse, so you can ride with confidence and control.
Wide Gullet
A wider gullet on your saddle means it’ll fit your horse better, preventing any discomfort and making sure their weight is balanced.
A Word from RaxinHorse
Choosing the right saddle is extremely important, especially for those with larger statures. Many health issues can arise from an improperly fitting saddle for both the rider and the horse. Therefore, invest time and effort to find the perfect saddle.
Hopefully, RaxinHorse‘s sharing about the best horse saddle for larger riders will be useful to you. Are you ready to explore new roads with your horse? Get yourself a suitable saddle and start an exciting journey. Don’t forget to share your experiences with us!
FAQs
Yes. A saddle that is too big or too small can make your horse uncomfortable. It can cause pain, discomfort, and even injury to your horse. A properly fitting saddle will allow your horse to move comfortably and without chafing.
If you are overweight, mounting a horse can be more difficult. Here are some tips from RaxinHorse:
- Find a friend to help you mount.
- Use a saddle with handrails or other support.
- Stand on a chair or step to help you mount the horse more easily.
- As you mount, be sure to apply gentle pressure to the horse’s back.
DIf a saddle is too loose for your horse, it can cause several problems, including:
Difficulty controlling your horse: A saddle that is too loose can make it difficult for the rider to control your horse.
Back pain: A saddle that is too loose can cause back pain for your horse.
Chafing: A saddle that is too loose can rub against your horse’s skin, causing sores or infections.
Imbalance: A saddle that is too loose can cause your horse to lose balance and have difficulty moving.
