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When it comes to barrel racing, having the right equipment is very important. However, it can be stressful trying to find the right saddle.
Fortunately, there are some great barrel racing saddles on the market. Some of the top brands to look out for include Circle Y, High Horse, American Saddlery, Reinsman, and Big Horn. These brands use high-quality materials combined with top-notch craftsmanship to produce winning saddles.
What Makes a Good Barrel Saddle?
Barrel saddles have lightweight builds with high cantles and wide swells that enhance your performance as you ride. In addition, they also have tall horns for better grip and a higher pommel. They are designed to comfortably fit both riders and horses during tight turns.
A good barrel racing saddle will give you balance and security as you ride. They are constructed from high-quality leather or synthetic leather that is made to last. These saddles offer everything you need in order to achieve your fastest run.
Best Barrel Racing Saddles
1. Circle Y Kaminski Faith Flex2 Barrel Saddle
See here on Horse.com or statelinetack.com.
Made in collaboration with world champion barrel racer Kelly Kaminski, this saddle offers everything you need for a winning run. It is specifically designed to promote good balance, which is key to a good ride.
Every saddle has a horn size and style that allows for consistent turns, along with the groundseat and cantle that offer a secure, dished seat. The innovative EBS stirrups reduce both knee and ankle fatigue while giving you proper balance. For the benefit of the horse, the Flex2 tree is lightweight, comfortable, and provides freedom of movement.
This saddle also has a beautiful two-tone design with light and dark brown leather. There are also beautiful embellishments that will stand out in the ring.
Why We Like This Product:
- Made in collaboration with world champion Kelly Kaminski.
- Include EBS stirrups.
- Flex2 tree is lightweight and provides freedom of movement.
2. Big Horn V-8 Racer Barrel Saddle
See here on Horse.com or statelinetack.com.
Elegant and practical, this saddle is suitable for riders of all levels. It even includes a hand-crafted floral tooling and durable padded suede seat.
Its sleek lightweight design places riders in the proper spot to achieve good balance. The wide bell stirrups allow for easy access for your feet. With a Equifit Fiberglass tree, it is designed to fit comfortably on different conformations.
This saddle comes at a great price for its quality. It gives you a secure seat while making fast, sharp turns.
- Suede padded seat.
- Wide bell stirrups allow for easy access.
- Equifit Fiberglass tree provides a proper fit for your horse.
3. High Horse Proven Mansfield Saddle
See here on Horse.com or statelinetack.com.
This well-made barrel saddle comes at a great price. It is even handmade in Texas, so you know you are getting a high-quality product.
The hip hugger suede seat works to provide a secure seat in tight turns. With rough-out seat jockeys, you will be able to maintain a correct position as you ride. The wood tree is carefully developed by Precision Saddle Tree to last for years of use.
The elegant floral tooling creates a beautiful appearance. It not only fits you comfortably, but also your horse as well.
- High quality saddle at a great price.
- Beautiful floral tooling.
- Suede seat and rough out seat jockeys provide a secure seat.
4. American Saddlery Fast Turn Barrel Saddle
See here on Horse.com or statelinetack.com.
Attractive and affordable, this saddle is great for riders of all levels. It has everything you need in a good barrel saddle without breaking the bank.
The suede seat is not only attractive, but also gives you a secure position as you ride. Hand-laced leather-covered contest stirrups provide you with the support you need. With an Amtech Ralide Wonder Front Competitor tree and semi-Quarter Horse bars, it will fit nicely on most stock horses.
The light oiled leather features beautiful tooling that will stand out in the ring. There are also some elegant silver embellishments as well.
Why We Recommend This Product:
- Affordable and attractive.
- Sturdy suede seat.
- Beautiful tooling and hand-laced stirrups.
5. Circle Y Wide Tree Leona Barrel Saddle
See here on Horse.com or statelinetack.com.
This distinctive looking barrel saddle will give you the confidence you need in the ring. It has a simple, yet elegant design that is complete with colorful double row stitching.
The suede seat provides security, while the fenders are comfortable and provide balance for the tightest of turns. The innovative DURAhide covered tree fits comfortably on your horse, allowing for optimal performance. It comes in regular and wide fit, ensuring that it will properly fit your horse’s conformation.
The lightweight saddle is carefully crafted in the United States. It is a quality option for amateurs and professionals alike.
- Unique, elegant look.
- Suede seat and roughout fenders provide security.
- DURAhide covered tree provides the best fit possible.
6. Circle Y Josey Maverick Barrel Racing Saddle
See here on Horse.com, statelinetack.com or circley.com.
The Maverick comes from the high-quality line of Martha Josey saddles. The legendary world champion barrel racer Martha Josey collaborates with Circle Y to produce high-perfoming best-selling saddles.
This saddle has a unique 3-Way rigging that eliminates the need for a rear cinch since it distributes the rigging pressure over a larger area across the horse’s back. It offers a particularly deep seat for those looking for added security. Crafted in America, it comes with a DURAhide covered tree to best fit your horse.
This saddle features beautiful dark oiled leather with incredible tooling. The turquoise backstitching really makes it pop, allowing you to stand out.
- Beautiful dark oiled leather with stunning tooling and turquoise stitching.
- Made with Martha Josey and offers an extra deep seat.
- 3-Way rigging system eliminates the need for a rear cinch by distributing the rigging pressure over a larger area across the horse’s back.
7. Reinsman McRae Special Effx Snowflake Saddle
See here on Horse.com or statelinetack.com.
This stunning saddle is made in collaboration with renowned world champion barrel racer Marlene McRae. McRae carefully designed the saddle to have a quality build and fit that will benefit the rider.
The Special Effx Saddle System replaces the traditional wood tree with McRae’s own custom design. It allows for freedom of movement as the bars conform to your horse’s conformation, fitting a wider range of horses. The seat, horn and swell work carefully to improve performance.
The Biothane stirrup leathers have a lightweight design that enhances flexibility while the aluminum rubber stirrups enhance grip. The light oiled leather includes incredible tooling with a stunning silver metallic snake print seat with latigo leather backstitching.
- Made in collaboration with Marlene McRae and has a gorgeous appearance.
- Includes an innovative Special Effx Saddle System for a better fit.
- Lightweight yet secure design allows riders to improve their performance.
FAQs
What Makes a Good Barrel Saddle?
A good barrel saddle will have a deep seat, high cantle, tall horn, and wide swells. Ideally, they should also have a suede seat, free-swinging fenders, and side jockeys, short skirts, narrow stirrups with good grip, and in-skirt rigging. It is important that the saddle is lightweight and property fits the horse and rider for peak performance.
How Should a Barrel Saddle Fit?
It is important to have a proper fitting saddle for your horse’s comfort and health. The front of the bar should sit behind the shoulder blade to allow free movement for your horse.
To make sure the saddle fits, try it on first on your horse’s back with no pad. There should be enough room to fit between two to three fingers between the top of the wither and gullet. The saddle should also be able to sit level on your horse’s back. If you notice swelling, white hair, dry spots, and muscle atrophy, the saddle likely does not fit correctly.
Are Barrel Racing Saddles Comfortable?
Though there are many barrel saddles that are comfortable, their main focus is fast performance. They are very lightweight, as they are designed for fast, sharp turns. Though the tall horns are ideal for racing, they are not particularly comfortable to have on long rides.