Endurance and Long Distance Equine Disciplines

What type of saddle is used the most?

I would like to know what type of saddle is used most by serious endurance riders.
I have a 15 hand Arabian gelding and am looking into getting a new saddle. It is an investment and I want to get something that would be suitable to begin some endurance competition.

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Permalink Reply by Jonni on February 18, 2009 at 8:38am: You will find every type of saddle made out on the endurance trail. If you have a saddle that fits your horse well now, start with that. If your saddle does not fit the horse well, then that is where you start. Most of us have been on that great saddle hunt for the perfect for for our horse and the rider. What works for one, may be horrible for the next. Treeless, tree'ed, flex panel, adjustable type saddles. Many, many choices. Some ride in off the rack english saddles, some even with western saddles with a horn. What works for that rider.

Start with your preference to english style, or western style, and start looking. If possible, maybe find some in your area that might have a saddle you are interested in, and borrow it before chunking down a bunch of money. Some saddle makers have demp programs.

One of the best places to see many saddles together, is at a ride, or of course, the AERC convention trade show.

I ride in a Specialized Saddle, as I have multiple horses, and a hard to fit gelding, so I can change the fit.

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