Shop Arabian Saddles Built for Short Backs
Arabians are often short-backed with lower, rounder withers, so a standard western saddle can bridge, rock or press into the loins. Every saddle here is an Arabian model from its maker; compare gullet width, skirt length and weight before you choose.
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Arabian Saddles
15″ to 16″ Dakota Arabian Trail Saddle 5320
Original price was: $1,592.50.$1,433.25Current price is: $1,433.25. Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Arabian Saddles
15″ 16″ American Saddlery The Antar Arabian Saddle 915 916
Original price was: $1,397.40.$1,257.66Current price is: $1,257.66. Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Arabian Saddles
15″ 16″ American Saddlery Austin Arabian II Saddle 921
Original price was: $1,541.61.$1,387.45Current price is: $1,387.45. Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Arabian Saddles
15″ 16″ 17″ South Bend Saddle Co Arabian Trail Saddle 1915
Original price was: $2,160.00.$1,944.00Current price is: $1,944.00. Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Arabian Saddles
15″ 16″ 17″ South Bend Saddle Co Arabian Trail Saddle 1931
Original price was: $2,261.00.$2,034.90Current price is: $2,034.90. Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Arabian Saddles
15″ to 16″ Fabtron Arabian Wide Tree Saddle 7318-7322
Original price was: $1,056.78.$951.10Current price is: $951.10. Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
How an Arabian’s Build Changes Saddle Fit
Arabians are compact horses, and many have a shorter back than most breeds. Some have one fewer lumbar vertebra and one fewer pair of ribs, which leaves less room between the shoulder and the last rib for a saddle to sit. Many also have lower withers and a flatter back.
A saddle made for a longer, higher-withered horse can cause problems on that shape. Long bars can reach past the last rib and press into the loins. Steeply angled bars can bridge, touching only at the front and back. An Arabian tree answers both with shorter bars and a flatter angle.
What to Look For in an Arabian Saddle
- An Arabian tree or Arabian bars: shorter, flatter bars made for a short back. Several of our saddles use Steele Equi-Fit Arabian trees.
- Gullet width: our Arabian saddles run from 6½” to 6¾”, so compare the listing with your horse.
- Skirt length: a shorter skirt, around 24″ to 26″, suits a short back best.
- Weight: our Arabian saddles weigh about 22 to 33 lb. A lighter saddle helps on long rides, but fit matters more than weight.
Arabian Saddles We Stock Compared
The table uses the specifications from each listing. Weights and prices are approximate, and several models come in more than one seat size or color, so check the listing for the saddle you want.
| Saddle | Seat sizes | Tree | Gullet | Skirt | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabtron Arabian Wide Tree 7318-7322 | 15″, 16″ | Wide tree | 6¾” | 26″ | About 22 lb | About $950 |
| American Saddlery Antar 915/916 | 15″, 16″ | Steele Equi-Fit Arabian bars | 6½” | 25″ | About 30 lb | About $1,260 |
| American Saddlery Austin Arabian II 921 | 15″, 16″ | Steele Equi-Fit Arabian tree | 6½” | 25½” | About 33 lb | About $1,385 |
| Dakota Arabian Trail 5320 | 15″–16″ | Fiberglass-covered, Arabian bars | See listing | 24″ | About 25 lb | About $1,435 |
| South Bend Arabian Trail 1915 | 15″–17″ | Fiberglass-reinforced wood, full withered fit | See listing | 26¼”–27¾” | About 33 lb | About $1,945 |
| South Bend Arabian Trail 1931 | 15″–17″ | Fiberglass-reinforced wood, full withered fit | See listing | 26¼”–27¾” | About 33 lb | About $2,035 |
Arabian Tree or Semi Quarter Horse Bars?
Not every Arabian needs an Arabian tree. A narrower, higher-withered Arabian may fit semi quarter horse bars well, while a broad, flat-backed Arabian may need a wide tree. The deciding factor is your horse’s shape, not the breed on its papers. Our semi quarter horse bars guide explains how bar angle and width change the fit.
Checking the Fit on Your Arabian
- Take a wither tracing about two inches behind the shoulder blade. Our Saddle Size Guide shows how.
- With no pad, check for two to three fingers of clearance over the withers.
- Run your hand under the bars to feel for even contact, with no gap in the middle.
- Make sure the skirt ends before the last rib.
- Used saddles can be tried through our 14-day Test Ride Demo Program; new saddles have a 30-day refund and returns policy.
Arabian Saddles FAQs
What is the best saddle for an Arabian horse?
The best saddle for an Arabian is the one that fits its back, not the one with the best reviews. For most Arabians that means short, flat bars, a gullet around 6½” to 6¾” and a skirt short enough to end before the last rib. Arabian trees such as Steele’s Equi-Fit are built for that shape. Take a wither tracing and compare it with the saddle, then check clearance and bar contact on the horse before you ride.
What gullet width fits an Arabian?
The Arabian saddles we stock have gullets from 6½” to 6¾”. Gullet width is only part of the fit, though. The angle and length of the bars matter just as much, because a correct gullet on steep or long bars can still bridge or press into the loins. Compare a wither tracing with the saddle, and check for even contact along the bars without a pad. If the listing does not state a gullet width, call us before you order.
Will a regular western saddle fit an Arabian?
Sometimes. A narrower Arabian with more defined withers may fit a saddle on semi quarter horse bars. But many Arabians have a short back and lower withers, and a saddle built for a longer horse can have bars and skirts that reach past the last rib, or bars that bridge. If a regular saddle rocks, bridges or leaves dry spots under the pad after a ride, an Arabian tree is the better choice.
Are Arabian saddles good for endurance riding?
Arabians are the most common breed in endurance riding, so many riders look for a saddle that suits both the horse and long distances. An Arabian western saddle can work well on long trail rides if it fits, because a good fit spreads the rider’s weight evenly for hours. For competitive distances, riders often choose a lighter, purpose-built design, so compare our endurance saddles too, and check that the tree suits your Arabian.
How much does an Arabian saddle weigh?
The Arabian saddles we stock weigh about 22 to 33 lb, based on each listing. Saddles with Cordura skirts and fenders, such as the Fabtron, sit at the lighter end, while full-leather tooled saddles from American Saddlery and South Bend weigh more. A lighter saddle is easier to lift and can help on long rides, but it will not make up for a poor fit, so choose the tree first and the weight second.
Looking for other styles too? Browse our full range of western saddles.