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Trail Riding Saddle – No Pressure Sores Over Hill and Dale
Trail riding is a wonderful hobby – but for your horse, at least, it's also very much a kind of endurance sport. And that places high demands on the equipment.
Many trail riding saddles don't fit properly or distribute the weight of rider and luggage over too small an area. This frequently results in pressure points that can cause lasting damage to your horse. Uncomfortable saddles can also cause pain for the rider over time – saddle sores can pretty thoroughly ruin a trail ride ... But trail riding is meant to be, first and foremost, a pleasure: for you and for your horse!
If you want unclouded fun trail riding (and want to be sure your horse is doing well too), then you're exactly right on this page!
Many trail riding saddles don't fit properly or distribute the weight of rider and luggage over too small an area. This frequently results in pressure points that can cause lasting damage to your horse. Uncomfortable saddles can also cause pain for the rider over time – saddle sores can pretty thoroughly ruin a trail ride ... But trail riding is meant to be, first and foremost, a pleasure: for you and for your horse!
If you want unclouded fun trail riding (and want to be sure your horse is doing well too), then you're exactly right on this page!
Trail Riding Saddle Table of Contents:
What Is a Trail Riding Saddle?
A trail riding saddle is specially designed for long rides and trekking tours with your horse. Compared with riding saddles used mainly for short rides or in the arena, it offers both rider and horse special comfort and functionality over long distances. Trail riding saddles are characterised by their robust construction, which nevertheless offers enough flexibility to adapt to the horse's movement. They're often fitted with additional padding to avoid pressure points and distribute the load more evenly across the horse's back. For the rider, trail riding saddles offer a comfortable seating position that stays pleasant even over several hours.
What Makes a Good Trail Riding Saddle?
There's no way around the optimal fit of a trail riding saddle: on a trekking tour, you sit in the saddle for days on end, and your horse carries it for days on end. Unlike after two hours in the arena, neither of you has much time "out at pasture" to recover from an uncomfortable and/or ill-fitting saddle. In other words: saddles for trail riding must fit perfectly for horse and rider and be comfortable. Because even the smallest fit flaw will almost inevitably grow into a big problem on your tour.
Saddles for trail riding must fit perfectly for horse and rider! — Fit of a Trail Riding Saddle
Characteristics of Good Trail Riding Saddles
- A wide, soft bearing surface
- low weight
- Spinal freedom / wide spinal channel
- Wither freedom
- Shoulder freedom
- Lumbar freedom (short saddle)
When buying a trail riding saddle, pay attention to a large bearing surface, and shoulder, lumbar and spinal freedom! — The Perfect Trail Riding Saddle
As Large a Bearing Surface as Possible ...
Condition number one for a good, back-friendly fit is as large a bearing surface as possible. This is achieved, among other things, through a perfect fit: the saddle must make contact everywhere. Fit flaws such as a too-narrow or too-wide gullet, bridging or rocking lead to a reduction in the bearing surface!
... Soft ...
Soft padding, rather than tightly stuffed, hard saddle panels, is very important for the horse in a trail riding saddle – it cushions impacts and peak loads and thus prevents pressure points from developing.
Unlike training in the arena, where horse and rider are constantly fully focused and can maintain the perfect posture, on long trail rides both often fall into a more relaxed posture, which relieves the muscles but doesn't necessarily ensure even saddle pressure.
A hard saddle padding is unable to compensate for such unevenness – whereas a yielding pad (such as the Iberosattel® Comfort Pad) can distribute pressure peaks better.
Unlike training in the arena, where horse and rider are constantly fully focused and can maintain the perfect posture, on long trail rides both often fall into a more relaxed posture, which relieves the muscles but doesn't necessarily ensure even saddle pressure.
A hard saddle padding is unable to compensate for such unevenness – whereas a yielding pad (such as the Iberosattel® Comfort Pad) can distribute pressure peaks better.
... and Wide!
A hallmark of a saddle that's especially back-friendly for the horse is a maximised bearing surface. The usable back length is dictated by the horse's anatomy – but to the sides, conventional saddle panels usually leave a lot "unused". A maximised bearing surface can therefore be achieved by widening the padding.
That's how it's solved with the Comfort Pad from Iberosattel®: the bearing surface runs along the side of the horse and follows the curve of the ribcage. This means all saddles can be given a maximum bearing surface – and with the Comfort Compact Pad, even ones for very short horses.
That's how it's solved with the Comfort Pad from Iberosattel®: the bearing surface runs along the side of the horse and follows the curve of the ribcage. This means all saddles can be given a maximum bearing surface – and with the Comfort Compact Pad, even ones for very short horses.
By widening the bearing surface, pressure on the horse's back can be reduced by up to 50%! — Avoid pressure points, muscle dents and painful spots on your horse's back.
No Bridging
"Bridging" is the term for when the saddle has less curve – that is, a smaller lengthwise bend – than the horse's back: the saddle "forms a bridge" over the back and doesn't make contact, or not enough contact, in the middle. Bridging can cause pressure points in the horse's lumbar area and/or around the trapezius muscle. This is especially critical on long rides.
With bridging, the middle of the back can't carry its share of the load, so saddle pressure rises at the front and back accordingly. — Pressure Points from Bridging
Caution
It's often argued that the saddle needs to sit "hollow" (with a gap) when the horse is standing still, because the horse raises its back while working. This claim is already questionable even for pure dressage work:
Many horses round their back less than you might expect, and horses still in the middle of their training in particular often haven't properly learned correct rounding yet. An ill-fitting saddle is no help here either.
This kind of fitting is clearly wrong for a trail riding saddle: raising the back happens through muscular tension that no horse can maintain for an entire trail ride. IF at all, only for short training sessions – but not over a period of several hours!
Many horses round their back less than you might expect, and horses still in the middle of their training in particular often haven't properly learned correct rounding yet. An ill-fitting saddle is no help here either.
This kind of fitting is clearly wrong for a trail riding saddle: raising the back happens through muscular tension that no horse can maintain for an entire trail ride. IF at all, only for short training sessions – but not over a period of several hours!
The Saddle's Centre of Gravity
Even if the saddle makes full contact, doesn't bridge and has the right gullet width, the centre of gravity – that is, the lowest point of the seat – can still be in the wrong place. A centre of gravity shifted like this doesn't put the rider centrally in the saddle, but further forward or back.
This results in an uneven distribution of the rider's weight – either the front or the rear area of the horse's back is noticeably more heavily loaded. Here too, this practically leads to a reduction in the bearing surface, since part of the padding is barely used.
This results in an uneven distribution of the rider's weight – either the front or the rear area of the horse's back is noticeably more heavily loaded. Here too, this practically leads to a reduction in the bearing surface, since part of the padding is barely used.
An incorrect saddle centre of gravity also effectively distributes the rider's weight over a smaller area, thereby increasing saddle pressure. — Effect of an Ill-Positioned Centre of Gravity
Shoulder Freedom
The shoulder must be able to move freely under the saddle. If the shoulder cartilage meets resistance with every step as the shoulder tries to glide under the saddle tree, your horse's motivation will keep declining further on longer rides. What seems completely unproblematic on a short ride of under an hour can really become an issue on the second day of a trail ride.
That's why the shoulder area should be "bridged" with padding or other flexible parts of the tree, to allow it to glide underneath without rigid resistance. A head plate fully integrated into the saddle tree is advantageous, because it gives the shoulder more room and no metal can be felt – which is exactly what the EWF system for more wither and shoulder freedom from Iberosattel® achieves.
That's why the shoulder area should be "bridged" with padding or other flexible parts of the tree, to allow it to glide underneath without rigid resistance. A head plate fully integrated into the saddle tree is advantageous, because it gives the shoulder more room and no metal can be felt – which is exactly what the EWF system for more wither and shoulder freedom from Iberosattel® achieves.
Which Seat for a Trail Riding Saddle?
For a leisure saddle like the trail riding saddle, the seat should above all be comfortable for many hours in the saddle. A few points matter here in particular:
- Seat depth
- Seat length
- Knee rolls
- Forward cut
Seat Depth
A deep seat, as is typical for dressage saddles, gives good stability but also more contact with the saddle and thus, for many riders, less freedom of movement over long periods. On multi-hour trail rides, this can quickly become uncomfortable.
Seat Length
The seat length also plays a role: too short a seat restricts freedom of movement, while too long a seat, as is common on some dressage saddles, can push the rider too far back. The right seat length depends on the rider's size and personal preference.
The flatter the seat, the larger the effective seat area at the same length! So a flat size-17 seat will usually feel bigger than a deep size-17 seat. — Flat Seat -> More Seat Area
The Semi-Flat Seat as a Compromise?
Many trail riders opt for a semi-flat seat as a compromise between stability and freedom of movement. It offers enough support without being as restrictive as a deep dressage seat. Our El Primero is a good example of this: the seat can be adjusted individually to your preference.
Free Choice of Seat Depth
With all Premium models from Iberosattel®, you can freely choose your seat: deep, semi-flat, flat or Tölt – entirely as you wish.
- Here's the link to our dressage saddles >>
- Here's the link to our baroque saddles >>
Saddle Sores on Long Rides
All the fitting issues described above increase the risk of saddle sores – especially on long trail rides, where the saddle stays on for many hours at a stretch. Even minor pressure points that would go unnoticed on a short hack can, over several hours, develop into painful pressure marks or white hairs.
That's why it's especially important for trail riding saddles that the fit is checked regularly and adjusted if your horse's back changes, for example due to training progress or a change in condition. A saddle that fit perfectly a year ago may no longer be optimal today – regular saddle fit checks are part of good horse care.
That's why it's especially important for trail riding saddles that the fit is checked regularly and adjusted if your horse's back changes, for example due to training progress or a change in condition. A saddle that fit perfectly a year ago may no longer be optimal today – regular saddle fit checks are part of good horse care.
Which Saddle for Trail Riding?
The El Primero
Our El Primero was developed specifically as an all-round saddle and is ideally suited for trail riding: thanks to the flexible tree, it adapts to changes in your horse's back, the wide Comfort padding distributes pressure over a large area, and the choice of seat depth lets you find your personal comfort zone. It's also a great fit for shorter horses thanks to its adjustable design, and the EWF system ensures your horse's shoulders stay completely free.
Experience Report: Trail Riding with the El Primero from Iberosattel®
Uschi A.: Trail Riding with the El Primero
"I've been riding my Haflinger gelding on long trail rides for years, and the El Primero has been a real game changer. The wide Comfort padding distributes the pressure so evenly that even after several hours in the saddle, my horse shows no sign of discomfort. The semi-flat seat is perfect for me: comfortable, but I still feel connected to my horse. I wouldn't want to go back to my old saddle."
The Ibero Comfort / Ibero Classic
Alongside the El Primero, our Ibero Amazona Comfort and Ibero Classic Plus are also excellent choices for trail riding. Both models combine a comfortable, adjustable seat with generous, pressure-distributing padding and are just as suitable for long days in the saddle as for shorter hacks.
Experience Report: Ibero Amazona Comfort on Friesian Goya
Carina N.: Service and Quality Absolutely Convinced Me
"My Friesian Goya has quite a broad back, and finding a saddle that really fit was a real challenge. With the Ibero Amazona Comfort, we finally found the right solution. The consultation from Iberosattel® was thorough and honest from the very first call, and the quality of the saddle has completely convinced me. We now go on trail rides regularly, and Goya moves much more freely than before."
Saddle Pads for Trail Riding Saddles: How to Ensure Even More Comfort
A well-fitted saddle pad can provide extra comfort on long trail rides, especially as an addition to an already well-fitting saddle. You can find our full range of saddle pads in the Iberosattel® Shop >>
Pads for Pressure Distribution
Pads can help distribute pressure more evenly and compensate for small unevenness in fit. They're especially useful in these situations:
- Slight seasonal changes in your horse's back shape
- Extra cushioning on particularly long rides
Well-fitted pads can help distribute saddle pressure better and compensate for small differences! — Pads for Trail Riding Saddles
More Isn't Always Better
A pad that's too thick can actually make a saddle's fit worse rather than better, because it changes the gullet width and the contact of the saddle on the back. Keep the following in mind:
- Only use pads to fine-tune a saddle that already fits well
- Too thick a pad can cause new pressure points
- Choose breathable, moisture-wicking materials
- Check the fit regularly, especially in combination with a pad
A trail riding saddle has to fit – without compromise. Pads must never be used to "compensate for" an ill-fitting saddle. — Pads for Trail Riding
FELT SADDLE PADS AS A SADDLE PAD
Felt saddle pads are a particularly popular choice for trail riding, since felt is breathable, robust and adapts well to the shape of the horse's back. Advantages at a glance:
You can find our felt saddle pads, along with all other saddle pads, in our shop.
- Natural, breathable material
- Very robust, ideal for daily use
- Good moisture absorption
- Distributes pressure evenly
- Available in several colours
You can find our felt saddle pads, along with all other saddle pads, in our shop.
Together We'll Find the Perfect Saddle for Your Horse
Every horse is unique, and that's exactly how we approach saddle fitting. Get in touch with us: our saddle fitting consultation is free of charge and without obligation.
Hotline: 09179 / 964117
Soft, Wide Padding for Your Trail Riding Saddle
For wide horse backs: the wide Comfort Pad
Our wide, generously cut Comfort Pad distributes the pressure of the trail riding saddle over an especially large area – ideal for horses with a broad back or for extra comfort on long rides.
We Individually Adapt the Spinal Channel to Your Horse!
For your horse's comfort: measuring for a sufficiently wide spinal channel
We measure the width of your horse's spinal channel individually and adjust the saddle tree accordingly, so the spine always stays completely free of pressure – even on long trail rides.
Wither Freedom
World First: No Head Iron on the Horse
More freedom for a high wither and sensitive shoulders: our EWF system replaces the classic metal head plate, giving your horse noticeably more freedom of movement.