Horse Tack & Saddles

I’m starting up a small tack shop, and I need to find a good tack wholesaler. I’m beginning with the small things, halters, saddle blankets, maybe a few browbands here and there. Which ones do you have experience with? It’s going be run solely online, through Ebay for the used saddles I already have and Amazon for the new stuff, do you have any advice for someone starting up?

Don’t list the ones that you just randomly googled, I’ve already done that. Thanks!

The only tack wholesaler I know is Darragh Equestrian Solutions LTD. it’s run by the woman I got my horse off. They seem excellent, don’t know if they have a website.
Their no is: +353 404 42720
Good luck with your new venture.

Okay, so im getting started riding western, ive been riding english for about 3 years. Lately ive been just doing a bit of western with my horse in my english tack, and we both love it! It just seems a bit more calm and everything. So ive been looking at western tack, and I went to the local tack shop today, after no luck looking at the roomful of used saddles, I went into the new, and saw this very nice synthetic/suede saddle, tried sitting in it, its very comfortable. The person working there says she has 3(for her family), and loves them. So I wanted to know your opnions, should I get it

I think this is it, but im not completly sure…
http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/bighorn-greensaddle.html
Id be getting it in black

i have been riding western for about twelve years and synthetic saddles are excellent but beware. they are not as easy to stay in as leather saddles. the leather is less slippery against the seat of your pants and with leather saddles you can buy leather covers to help keep you in the seat. if you plan on using the saddle for trail riding then a synthetic saddle is an excellent because they are quite comfortable but in competitions like pole bending, barrel racing, calf roping, and tricks like key hole it becomes far easier for a good sharp turn to unseat you.
other things to take into account are how the saddle fits your horse, wether a girth is included and if the girth is comfortable and will keep the saddle from slipping because synthetic saddles also slip easier on the horse. when you try sitting on it make sure to try all the different movements like digging yourself back into the seat, and sitting forward you have to mind how the horn affects your freedom of movement.
another to remember about getting the right size saddle for you AND your horse is that english saddles are way smaller. a western saddle should have enough to it to feel like it will keep you on the horse a bit better than an english saddle.
in comparison how an english saddle fits you is JUST ENOUGH to keep you on the horse. western saddles are made to always keep you on the horse.
another thing about the girth is it is smart to get a fleece lined girth for synthetics because that helps stop the saddle form slipping because the blanket will lift it a bit.

make sure to take all of these into account. a good saddle could save your life just as much as a good horse. i just shattered my arm about two months ago because my horse spooked and the saddle slipped and i landed on my arm and broke it in seven places.

i am traiing my horse to do dressage but i only have a all purpose wintec. could i use it in 1st level easy dressage???

It is legal to use, but it really puts you in a compromised position. You won’t win above training level with the position that the all purpose saddle puts you in. At training and first level dressage, about half the test scored on rider position and effectiveness.

You can do training level well enough, but I doubt that even first level will allow you to have an effective seat and leg, and much though I love my Wintec Isabelle, it doesn’t help me since I have moved up past first level. I still use it on the young horses, but my third level guy needs a saddle that allows my thighs to hang down much more straight.

The stirrup bar (where the stirrup leather hangs) on the jumping or all purpose (no purpose really) saddle is placed further forward than the dressage saddle. The forward bar allows for the forward seat and two point seat needed to jump. The dressage saddle has the bars farther back, allowing the leg and thigh to hang down straighter, and the seat is slightly rocked forward compared to sitting in the all purpose.

Dressage judges don’t count off for equipment as long as it is clean and doesn’t interfere with the horse or rider. Wintecs (all styles) are a well balanced, and you won’t be scored down for not having a leather saddle. You probably would in a breed show situation.

If you go to the USDF website (usdf.org) or the USEA website (USEA.org) and read the rules, it is not specific as to the type of saddle, just that it be an english saddle. It must have stirrups. This is the national standards, for the US. It is not true of the FEI, but that doesn’t count at the level we’re talking about. Technically, you could ride in a saddle seat rig, but again, you wouldn’t be positioned to do well.

Can anyone tell me the good and the bad about this saddle? How long does it normally last? Is it durable?

http://www.equestrian-tack.com/abettacordura.html

If you don’t like it, what should I get? I’m looking for a round-skirt wide western saddle for under $400.

For that amount of money you can buy a nice used leather saddle by a better manufacturer from ebay.

E-mail me and I may be able to help you out in this matter.

I have two walkers but i really don’t like using western bridles on them because I ride them in english saddle. Would it be better to use just a plain raised or a simple dressage bridle?

just a raised one should be fine.

I am needing some tack to use in 4-H. If anyone has some used tack that they no longer need, let me know. There is no used tack shops anywhere around me unless I travel for atleast 2 hours, not many horse people in my area.

Try checking your local classifieds or craigslist.org

What are some good quality and durable english tack brands for the following?
a) Close Contact or All Purpose saddle (Under $1000)
b) Leathers and Irons (Under $100 for each)
c) Girth (Under $100)
d) bridle (Under $200)
e) Bit (Under $50)
*If any of the above tack is listed on Dover Saddlery, please post the link of the piece of tack you would recomend. I will also be looking into used tack.

a) http://www.doversaddlery.com/henri-de-rivel-pro-close-contact-saddle/p/X1-1588/cn/92/ good first jumping saddle! very comfortable!!
b) http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-06847&ids=532105514 will match with the saddle above
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-0725&ids=532105514 classic stirrup irons
c) http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-0273&ids=532105514 good comfortable girth
d) http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-12765&ids=532105514 good quality bridle
e. depends what kind of bit…. snaffles are usually well priced, and pelhams can be a good price if you look around
hope i helped!

You can see them the best in the scenes where the main character and his friend are riding two horses down a dirt path that has trees going down both sides of the road, The bridle looks very similar to a figure eight style that is common now, I just wonder what type they are using and where one might find one.

dont no the film, but maybe it was a grackle noseband?

Any lawyer should be able to get your business (legally) set-up.

Thank you for your help

If you look in a phone book for tack shops you can find some. Our, you can order them over the internet. Lots of places have size charts and stuff. Depending if your looking for tall or ankle boots, many tack shops have riding boots.
Hope this helped