A New Riding Style Defined: The ‘hunt seat’ or ‘hunter’ discipline, as we often call it in our industry, has an interesting and clever history. The ‘hunt style’ of riding is rooted in the traditions of fox hunting in England, dating back to the 16^th century but gaining popularity during the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

While traversing the British countryside, riders needed a secure, yet elegant way of navigating rugged terrain while keeping up with hounds chasing foxes. As a result, they adopted a forward seat position, converse to the more traditional style of sitting tall and upright, allowing them to stay balanced over fences and gallop comfortably across uneven fields.

The tack and attire that was derived from this newly adopted style of riding reflected that same practicality and tradition with lightweight saddles for jumping and fitted coats for mobility. These practical considerations eventually evolved into the formalized disciplines of hunt seat and hunt seat equitation, emphasizing style, balance and effectiveness.

Freedman’s Hunter Saddles: Freedman’s Saddlery offers two distinct styles of hunter saddles, catering to slightly different preferences and needs of riders. Both saddles are hand-crafted with Freedman’s signature dark brown, ‘Super Grip’ leather and are built with re-enforced trees and removable thigh blocks for greater horse and rider comfort. Both saddles were designed with the American Saddlebred, Morgan and Arabian/Half-Arabian horses’ conformation in mind, allowing for shoulder freedom of movement.

The Hunter SG Saddle was designed for a hunt seat rider that prefers their legs and seat bones are more upright, finding security in a stance more similar to that of saddle seat. The saddle has a flatter, wider cantle, lending security to the seat and points of balance. This saddle is ideal for the rider who prefers a secure and comfortable ride.

Conversely, the Centennial Hunter Saddle has the makings of a more traditional ‘hunt’ style, with a close contact design and deeper seat that sets the rider in a more forward position. This saddle harkens to those used for over fences classes and puts rider positioning closer to the horse’s withers. The design is less about comfort and more about function.

Beyond saddles, Freedman’s offers a full line of hunter horse furnishings. Bridles are offered in both snaffle and double bridle options, in two classic and beautiful leather designs: raised and square fancy stitched. Regardless of the design chosen, there are complementing reins, cavesons and breast plates for each.

In addition, a brown Stabil-Flex Girth, as well as hunt-style irons and a Freedman’s Acavallo Gel/Silicone Hunter Pad is available in traditional brown with white fleece and black with black fleece to further accommodate the needs of the hunter horse. The entire hunter collection and saddles can be viewed in-store or online at FreedmanHarness.com.

Growing the Hunter Divisions in Our Breeds: The hunt seat discipline, with its variety of pleasure, equitation and over fences classes, plays a vital role in expanding the industry for our breeds by offering opportunities to engage a broader audience and diversify the breeds’ performance showcase.

The Morgan, American Saddlebred and Arabian/Half-Arabian breeds were traditionally known for saddle seat and driving disciplines, but they are thriving in the hunt seat arena, attracting riders who appreciate their versatility and easing the pathway to entry into the horse industry through a less complex style of riding. In addition, the crossover of the more broadly known hunt seat discipline introduces these breeds to new audiences and shows their marketability in them. Growing the hunter discipline will only increase their relevance and help the industry to evolve and grow.

Regardless of the style of riding, Freedman’s offers something for each hunt seat rider as we watch this discipline continue to grow and cheer on those who are embracing it!