English Tack

I'm looking for some information on what to look for as far as english tack. I'm get my first own horse(s) tonight and I'd like to purchase some good quailty tack. I've rode before but never really cared what the brand names were etc lol. I just threw on a friends stuff and rode. What kind of brand saddles are the best right now, I'd prefer an all-around or close contact. As well as bridles, I need something that will be a good fit for thoroughbreds. Also Is It best to get each indiviual horse there own saddle/boots/bridle etc? What kind of boots should they where for riding? Any specific type of bridle I should be looking for, I will be doing mostly english all-around/pleasure. So It really doesn't have to be 'fancy' but I want it to be of good quailty and last for awhile (worth the money pretty much). Any suggestions? I've got a few online sites I've been looking at, but little did I know just how MUCH english tack there was in this world lol.

You're horses should have their own tack, that way you know the saddle is a perfect fit and you don't have to adjust bridles before a ride.

For your first saddle(s) I would say go with wintec. You can get an AP 500 for about $400. They have to adjutable gullet kits so you can customize and they are pretty comfy and get the job down.

For bridle I would just get a regular cavesson, any brand will work, just stay away from made in india leather. Pick out pretty ones at the tack shop :] Be careful though, TBs can take either a cob of full size depending on how they a built.

For boots, it depending if/how they interfere, but until you figure that out then I would just get some nice brushing boots. Definitely for the fronts, backs would be good too. You might also want to pick up a pair of bell boots in case one of them forges or overreaches

You don't need boots unless you're jumping a lot or the horse's legs knock together.

For saddles, I agree, a Wintec 500 or 2000 AP would be best. They fit most horses and you can change out the gullets to fit different horses.

If you prefer leather, you could go with the newer Collegiate Convertibles. The Senior Event is a good AP for flat work and jumps under 3'. They're more expensive though, at $995 at most stores. You might be able to find one cheaper on eBay.
Collegiate Convertible Senior Event Saddle - St. Croix Saddlery

Here's a used Convertible AP for $700 and includes a full gullet set.
Used Collegiate Post Graduate Convertible Close Contact Saddle-St. Croix Saddler

Stubben Siegfried saddles have a "magic" 30-31 cm tree size in their older saddles that seems to fit most TBs, medium to medium-wide in build. I have two older Siegfrieds and LOVE them! Both of mine are over 25 yrs old.
Stubben Siegfried VSS All Purpose Saddle - eBay (item 130276770286 end time Feb-17-09 04:53:57 PST)
Stubben Siegfried All Purpose Saddle 17.5" seat - eBay (item 200303246441 end time Feb-02-09 08:16:59 PST)
Stubben Siegfried All Purpose Saddle, all new billets! - eBay (item 130276768884 end time Feb-17-09 04:44:57 PST)
Horse Tack Lot Stubben Siegfried All Purpose Saddle 17" - eBay (item 260352907387 end time Feb-02-09 12:10:35 PST)
Stubben Kerry VSS All Purpose / Jumping Saddle - eBay (item 130281391788 end time Feb-13-09 05:05:55 PST)

Courbette Magic AP is another route you could go. The trees used are flex trees and fit most horses medium-narrow to medium-wide.
VTO Saddlery: Courbette Magic Saddle
http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/sa.../prod_124.html

This site has a Courbette Magic 17" for $500:
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