Arabian saddle or not

CountryCuzzin · Postby **CountryCuzzin** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:59 pm

I had a thought the other day. Possible I am way off, but I would like some input since I am new to the thoroughbred breed. I use a western saddle that has quarter horse bars. It is actually a barrel saddle, but I trail ride in it. My thought was, should I be using an arabian saddle for long rides since the thoroughbred is a distant relative of this arabian? My Mom mentioned that it could be, but my thoroughbred is actually built more like a quater horse. In fact, when I first got him, she thought he was a cross. Any thoughts?
Thanks,CC

Arctic Cielo · Postby **Arctic Cielo** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 6:54 am

Arabian saddles are wider than a western saddle with quarter horse bars. They are also made to fit the very rounded back of an arabian and not the high withered thoroughbred. But whatever saddle that doesn't rub on his withers is the best.

CountryCuzzin · Postby **CountryCuzzin** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:24 am

Ahh, thank you for your input. You are right, my guy does have slightly high withers. I found an article yesterday on how to fit your horse to a saddle without taking the horse to the shop. I think I will try it. Again, thanks for the imput.
CC

KamiBrooks · Postby **KamiBrooks** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 9:39 pm

I think Arabian saddles are also for shorter backed horses. The clasic arabian is short backed. I have a round barreled (wide tree), short backed classic arabian and when I was looking for saddles, a lot that were labeled 'arabian' but had a very narrow tree, but all were about 2-3" shorter on the back.