Hunt Seat Tack

The tack for hunt seat is different of that of dressage. The dressage saddle is used for flatwork and not balanced for the riggers of jumping. Here is a dressage saddle. The seat is quite deep and the flap is near to straight down. The stirrups are long, so that the riders leg hangs long and around the horses barrel.

For Hunt Seat, a jumping saddle is used. A Jumping saddle has a medium, to flat seat, so that the cantle doesn't hit or interfere with the rider while jumping. It has a forward flap and the stirrups are short. 

There are many types of cloths used under the saddle. In the picture above, the dressage saddle has a wool, fitted saddle pad underneath. This is great for schooling or hacking.

In the picture below, The jumping saddle has underneath a numnah. This is a saddle cloth, made usually out of cotton. It is made the same shape of the saddle. Numnah's can be any color for schooling.

For Hunter Shows, a fluffy, white fitted saddle pad is used. In the picture below, a child's saddle is clean and ready for the show ring.

*For the Hunt Seat ring, a plain raised snaffle bridle is used. It often has fancy stitching and laced reins.

A standing martingale is permitted in the hunter ring, but you will have to take it off for the flat classes. A running martingale is not allowed.

For the Hunter ring, plain hunter breastplates can be used, to prevent the saddle from slipping.

There are many saddles out there to choose from. As long as they fit your horse, you and are balanced, they should do the job well. Along with different saddles, there are lots of prices too! Here is a more expensive saddle.