Western saddles, what’s your preference?
January 302010
I am getting a new saddle for my Arabian when my fiance gets his tax refund. I can identify a decent saddle for a crappy one fairly well from a picture and super well in person. I know the big names in western saddles ie: Billy Cook, Circle Y, Simco, Longhorn, etc. I want opinions on other saddle brands that may be less expensive, but with equal (or almost equal) quality. I am honestly not interested in a new saddle. First of all, I won’t be able to afford a nice quality saddle being brand new. Secondly, I like my saddles to be broken in for me! =D
I had a Rider’s Choice roping saddle a few years ago and reeeally liked it. But, most of their saddles are full QH bars and that won’t work for my Arab. Their only saddle (that I can find) specifically for Arabs is like $1,000. I can’t really find any used Rider’s Choice saddles, either. Another brand I’ve been looking into is Dakota. They seem like nice quality, and I have found quite a few used ones. I just don’t know if their quality will be as appealing in person.
I can’t use eBay, my sister used my account and never paid the selling fees. =|
And, anything of quality I find on craigslist is usually priced too high.
But, the guy who leases my horse works at a tack shop and can get me wholesale prices! But, the saddles they have tend to be crappy brands.
So, where do you buy your saddles?
What brand(s) of saddles have you found to be of decent quality without being a fortune?
I can’t really spend more than $500.
Also, I know that if I buy online there is a chance it won’t fit my horse and I’ll be stuck with it. I realize that, I am fine with taking the chance and selling it if it doesn’t work out.
Thanks in advance!
Thought I should add that I really prefer leather saddles. But, if I found a good deal on a synthetic one, I wouldn’t mind looking into it.
Since you have a limit on how much you can spend, I’d look around locally. So many people forget the fact that there are tack shops! You may have to travel a bit, but for a good saddle that’s in your price range-it’s worth it! If you go to a tack shop, be sure to talk to one of the employees (at most tack shops, they have employees that know their stuff about almost all of the products). They’ll help you find a saddle that fits you and is in your price range-plus they should be able to tell you a bit about the brand of saddle.
Keep an eye out for tack swaps in your area too! These are super helpful and usually, there’s a ton of tack! Most of the tack at tack swaps have been used, but they’re way more cheap than new tack! There’s a lot through 4-H (if you know anyone within 4-H or they usually post it somewhere) and make sure to take a look at an equine vet’s office, boarding stables, etc. They usually post horse events that are coming up. Oh and the newspaper too!
You can try going on Craigslist. It’s sort of like Ebay, but different-if that makes any sense! Either that, or just poke around a bit on the Internet and see what’s out there!
I use pretty much the brands that you listed above (Circle Y, Billy Cook, & Tuckers) so I can’t help you with any specific brands that are that cheap! Again, poke around a bit on the Internet and locally and you should be able to find something! And be creative with the ways that you look for them too!
Hope this helps! Good luck finding a saddle!
January 30th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I LOVE the Big Horn Cordura trail saddles. I used to have one that I loved so much that I could have married it, but it got stolen.
It’s light weight, easy care and maintenance (wipe clean), super comfortable (I’ve spent 6 hours in a row sitting in it before with zero pain), and it’s within your price range too.
This is it:
http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/big-horn-synthetic-saddle.html
It doesn’t look near as fuzzy/low quality in real life as it does in that picture. Here is a picture of my old one before it got stolen (notice… it’s got a lot of wear in tear… I had it for years lol):
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp228/Meagk78/trailsaddle.jpg
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January 30th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
K&S spanaway…i have an arab..and it fits her perfect..they also work perfect for horses with no withers..and they arnt too expensive
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January 30th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
I’d look at sites like equinenow.com or horseclicks.com
I think for the price you are looking at and the quality you are looking for, you will have a very difficult time finding one. But you can find some real nice used saddles for that price!
p.s
I’ve heard really good things about Circle Y saddles!
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January 30th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
I like Circle Y and Dale Chavez saddles.
I bought my saddle at a tack store. The thing about saddle buying is its like a car. You can trade in your old saddle, make payment plans, haggle a good price. So you may have to make a drive to get a the saddle. The place where I buy my saddles I drive close to 2 hours. The people there will give me the best deal, I can get good trade in value.
I also look for saddles at various horse shows and at tacktrader.com
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January 30th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
I use a wintec which is really cheap but it lasts a lot longer. it’s synthetic, so it’s also easy to take care of but if you’re going to show then maybe look online at chicksaddlery.com because it’s cheaper at chick’s
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chicksaddlery.com and experience
January 30th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Since you have a limit on how much you can spend, I’d look around locally. So many people forget the fact that there are tack shops! You may have to travel a bit, but for a good saddle that’s in your price range-it’s worth it! If you go to a tack shop, be sure to talk to one of the employees (at most tack shops, they have employees that know their stuff about almost all of the products). They’ll help you find a saddle that fits you and is in your price range-plus they should be able to tell you a bit about the brand of saddle.
Keep an eye out for tack swaps in your area too! These are super helpful and usually, there’s a ton of tack! Most of the tack at tack swaps have been used, but they’re way more cheap than new tack! There’s a lot through 4-H (if you know anyone within 4-H or they usually post it somewhere) and make sure to take a look at an equine vet’s office, boarding stables, etc. They usually post horse events that are coming up. Oh and the newspaper too!
You can try going on Craigslist. It’s sort of like Ebay, but different-if that makes any sense! Either that, or just poke around a bit on the Internet and see what’s out there!
I use pretty much the brands that you listed above (Circle Y, Billy Cook, & Tuckers) so I can’t help you with any specific brands that are that cheap! Again, poke around a bit on the Internet and locally and you should be able to find something! And be creative with the ways that you look for them too!
Hope this helps! Good luck finding a saddle!
References :
Have Searched for Many Saddles (for other people and myself)
Western Baby!
January 30th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
i would definitely check out saddlesonline.com. that’s where i got my western saddle and they have all different types of saddles including arabian saddles. they are very well priced. i got my western saddle with the headstall, breastrap, reins, and back cinch for only 300. but don’t let the price fool you. in my opinion mine is great quality with good fleece under the saddle and nice thick leather not cheap cardboard type leather so i would definitely recommend it.:) and i know what you mean about getting a new saddle and it not being broken in but it didn’t take long for mine to break in.
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January 30th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Ya, i have one best Arabian saddle that i am using since last year. This saddle is good and comfortable for my horse. I have found my first Arabian saddle on http://www.saddleonline.com/Australian-Saddles/c4/index.html at affordable price.
Before getting this saddle i was looking in ebay, craiglist or many other resources but i have found this on saddleonline.com
I hope you will also find there.
Thanks.
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