Gaited Saddles?

shchinchillas · 11-07-2009, 07:35 AM

Please bare with me and the "newbie" questions. For those that may have seen my introduction, I had two horses pretty much fall into my lap. While i've always WANTED a horse, I never thought I'd actually get one this soon, with no time to prepare.

My boyfriend, who does have experience with horses..learned and rode bareback--never used a bridal/saddle etc so is no help.

I've seen for "gaited" breeds they make a gaited saddle. We have a Tennessee Walking Horse. Should I be looking at purchasing a gaited saddle for her? I'm looking at just keeping her as a trail/pleasure horse(hopefully i'm using the right terms), and she is currently barefoot/not shod.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent, but on the cheaper side saddle?

What type of bridal should I be looking for, and what type of bit? My dad who used to have horses when he was younger told me to stay away from one type--but he cannot remember the name of it.

There are just so many choices out there--I want to know i'm making the right one!

bvhorses · 11-07-2009, 06:50 PM

Oh my, you have so much to learn! You have come to the right place, though. Just because you have a aited horse does not mean you need a gaited horse saddle. A horse with good gaits will gait with any well fitting saddle. As we know nothing about the horse, it's training or experience, we cannot advise you on the type of bit. The most universal bit is a snaffle, but many gaited horses are ridden in speciality bits. These can be quite severe in novice hands

JustJeph · 11-07-2009, 07:38 PM

It also depends if you go western or English. There are western trees design to better fit a gaited horse's build.

shchinchillas · 11-08-2009, 08:37 AM

I know she has been trained western, and that is what the previous owners had on her. I've asked them for the specs on the saddle/bridal they used, but haven't gotten much help from them. She also wasn't really ridden with them, and was left sitting most of the time---so I am thinking I may try and get into contact with the people they purchased her from and see if maybe they can offer any assistance.

I sure do have a lot to learn =). I've spent quite a bit of time just sitting back and reading, instead of actually posting the past few days.

xlilxonex · 11-08-2009, 12:17 PM

Do you have any really experienced horse people around you? I'd contact her previous owners... I'd probably try to find a snaffle... Is there any way you can take pictures of the horses and i'm sure some people here oculd give you a general idea of what type of saddle/tree you might need.

CrazyHorse · 11-08-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shchinchillas

I know she has been trained western, and that is what the previous owners had on her. I've asked them for the specs on the saddle/bridal they used, but haven't gotten much help from them. She also wasn't really ridden with them, and was left sitting most of the time---so I am thinking I may try and get into contact with the people they purchased her from and see if maybe they can offer any assistance.

I sure do have a lot to learn =). I've spent quite a bit of time just sitting back and reading, instead of actually posting the past few days.

I did the same thing when I got my Walker mare a year ago lol! I've learned quite a bit. You're going to have a blast with your Walker

Here's someone you can contact about a saddle. He's a great guy and will do everything he can to help you

http://southerntrailssaddle.com/
http://www.southerntrails.us/

As for bridles, any full-sized bridle will be fine. I just use a plain browband western bridle with my Walker

11-07-2009, 07:35 AM	#1
shchinchillas Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: PA Posts: 8 Images: 5	Gaited Saddles? Please bare with me and the "newbie" questions. For those that may have seen my introduction, I had two horses pretty much fall into my lap. While i've always WANTED a horse, I never thought I'd actually get one this soon, with no time to prepare. My boyfriend, who does have experience with horses..learned and rode bareback--never used a bridal/saddle etc so is no help. I've seen for "gaited" breeds they make a gaited saddle. We have a Tennessee Walking Horse. Should I be looking at purchasing a gaited saddle for her? I'm looking at just keeping her as a trail/pleasure horse(hopefully i'm using the right terms), and she is currently barefoot/not shod. Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent, but on the cheaper side saddle? What type of bridal should I be looking for, and what type of bit? My dad who used to have horses when he was younger told me to stay away from one type--but he cannot remember the name of it. There are just so many choices out there--I want to know i'm making the right one!

11-08-2009, 12:17 PM	#5
xlilxonex Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,315 Images: 24 Blog Entries: 1	Do you have any really experienced horse people around you? I'd contact her previous owners... I'd probably try to find a snaffle... Is there any way you can take pictures of the horses and i'm sure some people here oculd give you a general idea of what type of saddle/tree you might need. __________________ I <3 My Curly http://bbspinnaker.webs.com/

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11-07-2009, 06:50 PM	#2
bvhorses Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bristol, NY Posts: 585 Images: 29	Oh my, you have so much to learn! You have come to the right place, though. Just because you have a aited horse does not mean you need a gaited horse saddle. A horse with good gaits will gait with any well fitting saddle. As we know nothing about the horse, it's training or experience, we cannot advise you on the type of bit. The most universal bit is a snaffle, but many gaited horses are ridden in speciality bits. These can be quite severe in novice hands

11-07-2009, 07:38 PM	#3
JustJeph Full Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 40 Images: 1	It also depends if you go western or English. There are western trees design to better fit a gaited horse's build.

11-08-2009, 08:37 AM	#4
shchinchillas Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: PA Posts: 8 Images: 5	I know she has been trained western, and that is what the previous owners had on her. I've asked them for the specs on the saddle/bridal they used, but haven't gotten much help from them. She also wasn't really ridden with them, and was left sitting most of the time---so I am thinking I may try and get into contact with the people they purchased her from and see if maybe they can offer any assistance. I sure do have a lot to learn =). I've spent quite a bit of time just sitting back and reading, instead of actually posting the past few days.