I was looking at saddles today…?
February 82010
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.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
We use synthetics here. They are very practical, easy to maintain and hard to abuse. Plus being quite reasonable. They are better constructed that a leather saddle in the same price range. I like to ride my english horses in western tack when trail riding and I like to use western saddles when I start colts. This looks like a good one, go for it.
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February 8th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
PEOPLE LOVE THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SO LIGHT. I BOUGHT ONE ONCE, HAD TO TAKE IT BACK IT KEPT SLIPPING. MY HORSE DOES NOT HAVE WITHERS, SO MAKE SURE YOU TRY IT BEFORE U BUY IT ON YOUR OWN HORSE/.
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February 8th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
It looks really comfortable and if you think it is then go for it! Synthetics are always really nice and easy to clean: they can also withstand years of riding and barely show any wear. This looks like a nice choice if you are going to be doing some pleasure work and trails :]
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Good luck and if you need any more help you can contact my equine help hotline by adding Equine Help 101 to you AIM/AOL buddy list or by emailing designingshinto@yahoo.com for prompt answers and advice!
February 8th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
My folks have a bighorn synthetic, little different than that one. Its a nice quality built saddle for the money. I have nothing against them at all.
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February 8th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
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.
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February 8th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
The Cordura or Synthetic saddles are wonderful! I have had one that has lasted me 8 years. All around great saddles that can get down and dirty and still come out looking great!
=)
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February 8th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
whatever the saddle seems good i got mine off of ebay for 100 bucks and its lasted me about 3 years
first thing you should do for any prospective (any very expensive!!!!!) saddle is get it on a trial period and see if it fits your horse, if you dont know whither (lol) or not the saddle fits good plzplzplzplz!!!!!!!! ask an experienced saddle-fitters person if its a goodfit (or you could be paying with a sore back and a very cranky horse!!!) if its a good fit by all mean buy it!!!!! i love western!!!!!! the only thng i would caution is sometimes western saddles can be heavy so just be prepared to lift it onto a 16 hh horse!!! but mine is 22lbs and i weigh 90lbs my secret is to use NEWTONS 2ND LAW OF MOTION good luck!!!!
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February 8th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Synthetic saddles have the advantage of being cheap, easy to care for, and light. That being said, I don’t like them, nor will I ever own one. Call me a traditionalist, but I much prefer a quality leather saddle over a synthetic saddle.
If you buy one, be sure it’s decently made. Many are made poorly and lack the attention to detail that make them safe and comfortable for both horse and rider. The materials can be uncomfortably hot to sit in, are often slippery, and can cause heat sores on the horse’s back if you also use a synthetic saddle pad that doesn’t breathe. Some use cheap hardware that can break under stress. Also be aware that any heavy-duty activity like roping shouldn’t be done with a synthetic saddle– it’s just not strong enough. An investment in a synthetic saddle is also not a long-term deal– if you ride regularly, you’ll have to replace it in a few years.
If you plan to ride a few times a week or do primarily trail riding, you can probably get by with a synthetic saddle like the one you linked to provided it fits your horse. If you want to do any sort of showing, harder riding, or have a piece of tack that will last a lifetime and be able to be passed down to your children, a quality leather saddle is well worth the price.
If you can only afford a few hundred dollars for a saddle, you’re probably better off with a synthetic saddle than a cheap leather saddle. A good leather western saddle from a reputable maker holds its value well, and even an old one will usually cost between $400 – $1000. A top-quality ‘off the rack’ saddle or a custom saddle will often run $3000 and up, but it’s a lifetime investment.
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25 years horse owner/trainer/exhibitor/ranch worker
February 8th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Not looking at what everyone else is saying. Get a good LEATHER SADDLE they are the best if you plan to spend anytime in them what so ever. Yes you will spend some money on them but you can keep your seat in them.. If your looking for light weight go for your other ones. But you will like the leather better. And depending on your horse, leather is going to form better for the horse.
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lifetime of riding love leather better
February 8th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
I personally love that saddle myself. My friend has the exact same one and I’ve ridden in it many times. It’s lightweight, cheap, and easy to maintain. However, it’s not much of a show saddle if you wanted to show since it’s cloth/synthetic and not leather.
For the same price, you may also want to consider the Wintec Western synthetic saddle. I just bought mine for $175 off eBay with free shipping and a cinch, and the saddle was only used twice. A couple of my friends own it and love it to death just the same way I do. The saddle looks like and feels like leather.. it’s also lightweight and easy to maintain.
They’re both really good saddles so good luck with the saddle search. =]
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I’ve ridden in the same saddle myself.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Big Horn saddles that I’ve seen are pretty good quality. Synthetic or leather, what is most important is that the saddle fits your horse… western saddles can be as ill fitting as an English saddle. My advice is to find a saddle that is comfortable for you… and before buying it… make sure it’s comfortable for your horse also. One issue I’ve seen with "cheap" saddles, is that they tend to flatten and put a lot of pressure on the withers. Good luck with your shopping!
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35 years of horse ownership
February 8th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
if you are just trail riding, it will work wonderfully. That is what my dad uses to trail ride in. They don’t need to be cleaned or conditioned which is wonderful, we have had ours for 4 years and is still holding up great!
IF you plan to show though, you are going to need a leather saddle to show in.
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