The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Saddle help

779 views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  HunterEq95 
#1 ·
I have a horse with low withers and I'm trying to find her a English saddle anyone have any suggestions on where to get one below $600
 
#2 ·
With a budget such as yours you can purchase used....
HOWEVER....
With a budget such as yours when you purchase used you will be able to purchase a fine quality saddle that will fit well, last many years and not be problematic to horse or you...
Used you can buy leather or synthetic possibly as a complete saddle with stirrups & leathers. Some sales will also include a saddle pad, girth and bridle as a "package" deal....

Know what you want in brand, style and size needed, then search the ads and spend wisely...
Good luck....

And remember if buying new and the price is so fantastic it is hard to believe, it probably is junk quality.
It may "look" nice but soon after using the equipment you will start to discover the problems of buying inferior quality..
Please be very cautious as you do not want to hurt your horse nor have an accident and hurt you either...
Be a savvy shopper!
:runninghorse2:.....
jmo...

 
#4 ·
New, nicer synthetics like Wintec or Bates, or used leather ones are always a good bet.


I have a Wintec 2000 AP that I haven't used regularly since my best boy died, but it's in pristine condition and fits a variety of horses. I paid probably $600-$700 for it when I bought it new, so if you're looking for a regular CC or AP, Wintecs are a good bet. Their dressage saddles tend to cost more, but I'm guessing you're not in the market for a dressage saddle.


I also have a 40 y/o Stubben Siegfried AP that I bought used, and is now my regular go-to saddle. It has a rather firm seat though, which a lot of people don't like. Love that saddle, and I put a Tush Cush on it to give me a little padding. It also fits a variety of horses, and I'm currently using it on my SSH mare.
 
#5 ·
I completely agree with horselovinguy. The reason the vast majority of cheap new saddles are cheap is because they are of low quality. My first English saddle was that way and I still have it for sentimental reasons, but the leather has never gotten past the stiff stage even after 12+ years of attempts to oil and condition it, and I rode in it constantly for the first couple of years. I used to have the matching bridle that came with it and it was the same way although I used it for several more years until I somehow lost it. The horse I used it on absolutely hated it, but it was all I had at the time. Depending on the saddle, they can have very cheap and flimsy trees and the leather usually always leaves much to be desired. Most of the saddles have a "cardboard" leather feel and they never really supple up much in my experience.

I bought a new Kincade in 2006 when I outgrew that first saddle and it was possibly even worse. I ended up trading it in after only a few rides for a used plain flap Collegiate (bought used in 2006 for $275) that I still have today and has been one of my favorite saddles of all time. It is one of the older ones from the Miller Harness days that was made by Ruiz Diaz and has the "RD" logo on it. These are much better than the new Collegiates in my opinion. I used it on a wide variety of horses and only had to pad it up for a swaybacked horse once and that was it.

Now I ride in an old Courbette Husar that I bought in 2012 for $400 with fittings included. It is also one of my favorite saddles of all time, and I've used it on a wide variety of horses with no problems whatsoever. This model has been discontinued for years per Courbette, but I have seen them for sale used, especially online. The Husar model was specifically designed to fit a wide variety of horses. The leather quality is spectacular and the saddle is very comfortable.

One to probably stay away from would be old Crosbys, as I have one of those too (mine is like a Prix des Nations) and they are known for not fitting low-withered horses. I bought mine from someone who was selling it because her horse's withers were too low for it.

The best thing you could do in my opinion is to maybe find a place that sells used saddles that will allow you to take them on trial to see if they fit your horse well. The place I bought both my Collegiate and Courbette is located at a stable and allows you to actually trailer in your horse and they will help you fit a saddle to your horse. But you won't regret buying a good quality used saddle that will last you many years!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top