| According to one saddlemaker, and a few opinions on some forums, in-skirt rigging on western saddles should be avoided. "There should be NO in skirt rigging. Rigging in the skirt causes the skirting to bear weight. When skirting bears weight, it cannot protect the horse. The skirt will pinch the horse when the rigging is tightened. The horse's body motion will cause the saddle to move backwards on the horse's back. A breast collar will stop that movement, but will probably tip the saddle up on its front end and cause the gullet to pinch the horse's shoulders and force the horse onto its forehand.In skirt rigging came about as a design adjustment which was required when some saddle makers decided to get rid of the rear cinch." Any opinions here on inskirt rigging vs ring rigging or flat plate rigging (where the rigging is attached directly to the tree)? It appears to me the more affordable saddles are all in-skirt rigging, but since my problem is that the saddles I've tried, pinch my horse's shoulders. I may have to choose a saddle with a different kind of rigging. (read: much more pricey) - A review of some better-quality saddle makers (ie Crest Saddlery, Courts, Coats, Dixieland) shows that most of their saddles are made with ring or flat plate rigging. Most but not all. I know that inskirt rigging provides closer contact with the horse and is less bulky. Does anyone have a saddle with an in-skirt rigging that you feel fits your horse well and does not cause the problems as described above? Or, do you know of a more affordable saddle (under $1K) that offers ring or flat plate rigging? | 
Western Saddle Rigging
