Western Barrel Saddles And A Proper Fit Can Make The Difference Between Winning And Losing

Barrel racers who compete professionally know the value of a good saddle that is made especially for this event, and they are aware that all western barrel saddles are not all alike. Granted, you may have a barrel horse that is fast and light on it’s feet, and a top performer in it’s class, but if that saddle doesn’t fit right, the performance of the horse will suffer, and you won’t score very high in the event.

First and foremost, the saddle you choose must fit correctly for both the horse, and the rider. Buying a saddle that is either too small or too large can make the difference between whether you win or lose. A too small saddle will result in pain for your horse by rubbing and creating sore spots, thus affecting performance. The same applies for the rider, with an ill fitting saddle making the ride very uncomfortable. If the saddle is too large, the same problems can occur for both you and your horse, with the added danger of the saddle slipping as you negotiate the tight turns around the barrels.

Barrel saddles can cost the rider a good amount of money, which is why you must choose wisely when you purchase. If you are a regular competitor in barrel racing events, the purchase of a top quality saddle will be an investment that will pay for itself through the years of competing. Many times, used barrel saddles become available at a fairly decent price, but don’t grab the first one you see without asking to try it out for fit. You are wasting your money if it doesn’t suit you or the horse, no matter how good the price.

This saddle must also be as comfortable for your horse as it is for you. If not, you are going to find that the superbly trained animal you are counting on is not going to perform well, and may even begin to exhibit behavior problems as soon as you saddle up. If the saddle hurts or rubs anywhere, the horse will act up as soon as you mount up. Proper fit is extremely important for this animal.

You can buy a good used barrel saddle occasionally, but even if the price is fantastic you will still be wasting your money if it is not the right size for either you, or the horse you are riding. Try it out for a few days, check the fit, examine your horse for sore spots, and see how it feels to you when you sit in it. Don’t buy something just because the price is right if the fit is wrong.

The saddle you purchase does not have to be fancy by any means. Intricate tooling and added embellishments won’t make any difference in whether you win or lose if the fit isn’t right. A plain, well-made saddle that fits properly is all you need to compete in this category.

Western barrel saddles have to be the perfect fit for both the horse, as well as the rider if you expect to do well in barrel racing events. Safety and comfort are the key issues you have to consider, for yourself as well as the animal you are riding.

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