comfort trail saddlesCynthia Burke is a COWGIRL Brand Manager from Edgewood, New Mexico.  An avid trail rider (and former mounted shooter), Cynthia and a group of other mature women riders trek out at least once a month to explore the glorious wilds of New Mexico on horseback.  Travelling to places like Valle Vidal, Pecos River, and Chama, Cynthia will tell you straight up:  “I ride for comfort.”  Aside from performance saddles designed to shave off seconds or those built for maneuvering efficiently through arena courses, trail riders have an eye, or should we say a seat,  for comfort.  If you’ve ever spent four or more hours in the saddle, you understand how important comfort is for a long day on the trail.  COWGIRL, with the help of our very own Cynthia Burke, put together a selection of saddles in a varying price ranges that should keep you—and your horse—comfortable, secure, and safe, so you can explore places that no vehicles or average hikers will ever have the privilege to see!

comfort trail saddlesTW Saddlery

TW manufactures a full line of fully-adjustable, lightweight western saddles—with models for gaited horses, western dressage, trail riding, barrel racing, and ranching. TW saddles are custom made to order at their factory in Texas. Since all sales are direct, either through local fitting reps or their online store, they offer a great value structure in their pricing. With TW Saddles, you can adjust the width, the rock, and the angle to fit any horse. And each side is can be independently adjusted, for perfect saddle fit even if the withers are asymmetrical. TW Saddles understands that a saddle should help both you and your horse be comfortable, and offers buyers the opportunity to test ride their new saddle for 10 days to make sure it fits both rider and horse. Saddles start at $1,995, twsaddlery.com

comfort trail saddlesTough 1 Pro Trail

The Eclipse by Tough 1 Pro Trail is made of a lightweight and durable nylon fabric with leather accents—tough enough to resist tears and scuffs without the weight of traditional leather saddles. An affordable solution for riders who may have a hard time lifting heavy saddles or are looking to reduce the burden of added weight on their horses’ backs. Weighing less than 20 pounds, riders of all disciplines appreciate how ultra—lightweight these synthetic saddles are. In addition to being easy to lift and carry for riders, Tough 1 saddles have a padded suede seat for a comfortable ride. The nylon material is very easy to maintain with little more than a damp cloth needed to clean dirt, hair, and mud from the saddle. The Eclipse by Tough 1 Pro Trail saddle comes in four different colors and seat sizes ranging from 13 to 20 inches. $451–$514, tough1.com

comfort trail saddlesClinton Anderson’s Signature Saddle

Clinton Anderson’s Signature Saddle combines the best features of both an Aussie stock saddle and an American western saddle. Made exclusively for Downunder Horsemanship by Martin Saddlery, this saddle is built to work and keep you and your horse comfortable.  The saddle tree is precisely assembled with specific angles of alignment to ensure you have a secure seat.  Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely trail ride or turning back a cow, the saddle’s free-swinging fenders help balance your weight and keep your legs in proper position. For your horse, the saddle is specially designed to encourage and accommodate lateral flexion and ease of movement of his entire body, as well as to provide protection during hard stops and turns. The saddle features a smaller, more rounded profile than a typical western saddle, which makes it light and comfortable to work with. $2,649, downunderhorsemanship.com

comfort trail saddlesPhoenix Rising

Gaited horses have unique muscle action along their backs, especially when performing a four-beat gait. They require a saddle that will provide flexibility and even weight distribution, while freeing up the shoulder and preventing interference at the loins. Phoenix Rising Saddles’ Imus 4-Beat Saddle is designed to do this and more. From the outside this  may look like a typical western or ‘gaited’ saddle, however the uniquely designed flexible tree allows the saddle to be placed more forward—so the front edges of the bar of the tree cup around the shoulder with little to no contact. The specialized Supracor open-cell padding is built-in under the bars of the tree, providing even weight distribution, and preventing pressure points. Although Phoenix Rising Saddles’ tack is designed with the gaited horse in mind, comfort is key for any horse, —gaited or not—and these work great on both.  $1,595, phoenixrisingsaddles.com

comfort trail saddlesTucker Trail Horizon Series

A Tucker trail saddle is designed so horse enthusiasts and their beloved equine partners can ride for hours at a time while remaining comfortable. Tucker Trail Saddles now offers an entirely different level of comfort – the Horizon Series trail saddle. This saddle provides even more comfort for you as a result of an ergonomic shock absorbing seat (to relieve pressure in tender areas), additional padding, and  shock absorbing ground seat. The soft, English bridle leather is luxuriously supple, and  naturally resists moisture—the dye will not run or rub off. Tucker’s Tri-Tech Fit System helps protect your horse’s back in three ways. First, the tree base provides modest flexibility to accommodate conformation issues. Second, the flexible panel maximizes weight distribution to help eliminate pressure points. Thirdly,  the tree bars are lined with patented Gel-Cush, with a wool felt skirt liner to absorb shock.  $2,295, tuckersaddles.com

comfort trail saddlesMartin Saddlery Rancher

The newly redesigned Rancher by Martin Saddlery was thoroughly tested in some of the toughest climates and situations throughout the West. Its swell-forked, wade style found favor with those who spent consecutive long days in the saddle, covering miles of country and riding colts. It features a hybrid style, bringing Association swells to the best features of the Wade design, offering limitless utility for the working cowboy. The saddle features flat plate front rigging, wade skirt, full 2-1/2” stirrup leather, good ground seat for long miles, with plenty of swells for security, standard with 3” Nettles and Hamley Twist, mulehide wrapped dally horn, strings and tie rings for tying. The Rancher is built on Wade bars in 6-1/2” gullet.   $4,295, martinsaddlery.com

Saddle Pads

comfort trail saddles

5 Star Equine
5 Star uses only 100% pure virgin wool in the manufacturing of its Saddle Pads. 5 Star Pads offer protection against pressure points from you and your saddle, as well as protecting your horse’s back from heat buildup. The Drive Series Designer line of leathers is accented  with 100% Genuine Swarovski Crystal Conchos, Crystal accents, and designer spots. Standard pads start at $179 – 5StarEquineProducts.com


comfort trail saddles

Back on Track
A Back On Track Western pad is made of  state-of-the-art Welltex material,  which reflects the horse’s body warmth back in to help stimulate blood circulation. Increased blood circulation is great for warming up cold backs and sore/ tight back muscles. Along with being a therapeutic pad, it is breathable and wicks away sweat. The Back On Track Western Pad is meant to be warn underneath your normal pad. Pads start at $165 – backontrackproducts.com


comfort trail saddles
Weaver Eva Sport Foam Saddle Pad

The contoured EVA Sport Foam Saddle Pad with woven top and felt bottom is designed to conform to the horse’ts back for a more natural fit, reducing saddle roll & alleviating pressure on the withers.  EVA sport foam insert promotes airflow and is combined with an orthopedic felt bottom to wick away moisture.  Combined, they act as a shock absorber to reduce pressure points.  $199.79 – ridethebrand.com


comfort trail saddles
Supracor Western Cool Grip

Supracor’s Western Cool Grip saddle pad, featuring Stimulite honeycomb, provides pressure relief, reduced shearing and ventilation to control heat and moisture—the key to preventing sore backs in horses. Designed to be placed directly on the horse’s back with a natural lift for clearance over the withers, the Cool Grip pad distributes weight uniformly to relieve pressure while providing exceptional stability.  $263 – supracor.com


comfort trail saddles
Soulshine Horse Wear

Soulshine saddle pads follow the contour of your horse’s back, curving at the withers for a perfect fit. The pads are available with a high quality mesh nonslip, black nylon web binding for comfort and breathability. Each Soulshine pad is hand-dyed and loomed by Mayan Indians, benefited by Soulshine, whose purpose is to create superior products while providing 45 villages in Central America with food and educational support.  Starting at $149 – soulshinehorsewear.com