Of course, you can ride on trails in almost any saddle. But if you’re a dedicated trail rider, consider investing in a saddle built specifically for your riding needs.

Next to your horse, your saddle is your best friend. You spend hours in it when you’re on the trail, depending on it to keep you comfortable and secure. A well-fitting saddle also distributes your weight over your horse’s back, easing his burden and extending his stamina.

Of course, you can ride on trails in almost any saddle. But if you’re a dedicated trail rider, consider investing in a saddle built specifically for your riding needs. Fortunately, trail saddles are more diverse and more readily available than ever before. Major saddlemakers are expanding their trail-saddle offerings. And companies that make only trail saddles are springing up across the country.

Here, we’ll give you a rundown on trail-saddle features designed to enhance the comfort of both you and your horse. We’ll also go over saddle accessories that can make your trail rides a little easier.

If you’re ready to launch your search, use our trail-saddle resource guide of manufacturers and distributors to get started.

Horse-Friendly Features
One hundred years ago, most horsemen didn’t give much thought to their horse’s comfort when it came to saddles. Horses were expected to wear saddles for hours on end with little regard to fit, weight, or design.

Today, we care about our horses’ backs, as well as their emotional well-being. The result is a whole host of comfort features, including lightweight materials, a comfortable core, adjustable shims, and even weight distribution. There are also saddles designed to meet special conformational needs. Here’s a closer look.

• Lightweight materials. Saddles made from lightweight materials ease your horse’s burden over miles of trails. These materials include everything from traditional lightweight leather to synthetic fabrics, such as nylon. Lightweight saddle trees are made from fiberglass or synthetic composite rather than traditional wood. Stirrups also come in lightweight, yet durable, materials. Many Western-style trail saddles also forgo traditional fenders, which can add to the saddle’s bulk.
• A comfortable core. Flexible trees provide give as your horse moves, rather than remaining rigid like traditional trees, enhancing both saddle fit and equine comfort. Flexible trees allow more freedom of movement and are less likely to cause a sore back, according to manufacturers. Interchangeable gullets are another option, allowing you to switch gullet size depending on back conformation. Treeless saddles are also available.
• Adjustable shims. If your horse is hard to fit, consider a saddle with removable, adjustable shims. You can use these shims instead of the thick pad needed with most saddles to protect your horse’s back. You can change shim size and shape to accommodate your hard-to-fit horse.
• Even weight distribution. Some saddles are made with features designed to reduce the impact of your weight on your horse. Look for trees that extend beyond the usual range, which spreads your weight over a greater part of the saddle. Shock-absorbing materials placed between the seat and your horse’s back also help to reduce pressure.
• Specialty saddles. Some saddles are designed for horses with special needs. Saddles made especially for the shorter backs of Arabians are available, as are saddles designed specifically for mules. Others offer greater freedom of movement at the shoulder than traditional models.

Left: Australian Stock Saddle from the Australian Stock Saddle Company. Middle: Chestnut International from Specialized Saddles. Right: Abetta Brushpopper Trail Saddle from Action Company.

Rider-Friendly Features
Your horse’s comfort isn’t the only concern when it comes to trail saddles. If you spend long hours in the saddle over a variety of terrain, you need a design created with rider comfort in mind. Comfort features for you include seat design, seat materials, gender-specific design, adjustable stirrups, wide, cushioned stirrups, and mounting aids. Here are details on each one.

• Seat design. Look for a deep seat that provides both comfort and security. Some seats are even designed to hold you in a position that will help prevent fatigue. A number of saddlemakers will allow you to choose the type of seat design you prefer. Choices can include a cut-out seat that allows comfort and ventilation, as well as easy inspection of your horse’s back while in the saddle; a flatter seat than normal to help you post on the trail; and a high front rise for a deep seat.
• Seat material. Materials used for saddle seats are also designed for comfort and security. Some saddles sport suede seats to help you stay in the saddle when your horse makes a quick move. Others have cushioned seats to reduce pressure on your seat bones on long rides.
• Gender-specific design. Saddles designed specifically for female riders are a recent development in the trail-saddle world. Skeletal anatomy differs between the genders, and saddles developed for women reflect these differences. Women’s seat bones are wider apart than those of men, and female weight distribution in the saddle is different. Women are sometimes uncomfortable riding in saddles designed for a male frame, especially on long rides. Women can also consider a custom-made saddle, for which height, weight, and inseam measurements are taken before the saddle is constructed to assure the saddle has the correct proportions.
• Adjustable stirrups. Moveable stirrups allow you to choose where your leg will fall along your horse’s sides. You can move the stirrups closer to the front of the saddle or farther back, depending on the type of trail riding you do and your leg-position preference. Stirrups for trail saddles are designed to allow greater leg swing than usual. This freedom of movement is especially valuable when negotiating hills.
• Wide, cushioned stirrups. Trail stirrups are wider than standard English irons or Western stirrups, providing you with more security in harsh terrain, as well as better weight distribution throughout the foot, for comfort. Cushioning and high-tech designs help reduce soreness and fatigue. Toe cages prevent your foot from slipping through the stirrup and becoming caught in the event of a fall. A caught foot can lead to dragging. One recommended source for these stirrups and stirrup accessories is EasyCare, Inc.
• Mounting aids. Adventuresome trail riders often find themselves far from mounting blocks, arena rails, and even riding buddies who can give a leg up. If you need an extra boost when mounting from the ground, consider buying a drop-down stirrup, such as the E-Z Ride Stirrup from EasyCare, Inc., the E-Z Up Stirrup Extender, or The Step Up Stirrup from North Bank Products, LLC.

Or, try a special mounting stirrup that’s hung over the horn of a Western-style trail saddle. These stirrups are significantly longer than the saddle’s regular stirrups, and are especially good for short riders with tall horses, and youth riders. One recommended resource for this mounting aid is Chick’s Discount Saddlery.

E-Z Ride Stirrups from EasyCare Inc. (standard aluminum and standard aluminum with cage)

Practical Points
Trail-saddle accessories are designed to make your ride easier. Some come with the saddle; others, you can add on after purchase. Accessories include points of attachment, saddlebag systems, cinches, breastcollars/cruppers, seat pads, and saddle pads.

• Points of attachment. Trail saddles are usually fitted with a number of D-rings that allow you to easily clip or tie on saddlebags, cell phones, water bottles, sponges, etc. Western-style trail saddles also feature leather latigos for ease of carrying your essentials.
• Saddlebag systems. Like a simple, compact look and feel? Look for a saddlebag system designed specifically for trail saddles — or even your specific trail-saddle model. Such systems often include a matching cantle bag, a pommel bag, and water-bottle holder. Most are water-resistant and lightweight.
• Cinches. Trail cinches are also designed to be comfortable for the horse when worn for many hours at a time. They offer stretch, breathability, and reduced chafing. Two recommended trail-cinch sources are Cool Tack and Long Riders Gear.

On the trail, you might loosen the cinch or even remove the saddle to give your horse a break. Weaver Leather’s new Smart Cinch provides an easy-tighten method.

If you’d rather not dismount to adjust your cinch, look for one you can easily loosen or tighten from the saddle. These cinches come in a variety of material types, from traditional leather and horsehair to neoprene and biothane. Sources for these cinches include Professional’s Choice, Toklat, and Weaver Leather.

• Breastcollars/cruppers. Breastcollars and cruppers are a necessity for riders negotiating tough terrain. Many saddlemakers offer these accessories to match their trail-saddle models. You can also purchase them separately. Choose your material, from leather to match your saddle to lightweight materials, such as neoprene, nylon, or biothane.
• Seat pads. As a trail rider, you spend a lot of time in the saddle. Seat pads provide seat-bone cushioning and can reduce chafing and help keep you cool or warm. Seat-pad materials include fleece, shearling, faux fleece, gel, and foam. High-tech versions cover more of the saddle and minimize pressure in specific parts of the seat. Seat-pad sources include Cashel Company, Down Under Saddle Supply, EasyCare, Inc., Just Merino Sheepskin Products, and Lori’s Tack.
• Saddle pads. Of course the most important saddle "accessory" is the pad. Pads designed for trail riding abound, and feature a variety of systems designed to help your horse’s back stay cool and comfortable. Cushioning and protection are also top priorities. Some pads come with foam inserts that can be removed and replaced after extended use causes compression. Other pads are made from wool, cotton, or breathable synthetic materials.

Thanks to all these innovations in the world of trail saddles, you and your horse can feel secure and comfortable while enjoying the great wide open.