Fiberglass trees

I don't want synthetic. I like the saddles I posted because they have the nice back and deep seat like my grandpas saddle which is what I currently use. I also like the rough out on the 1st one I posted. I love the 1st saddle and if I could get it with a wooden tree I'd be set for life. I have someone who can fit a saddle to Hunny so as long as it fits her ok he can modify it to be perfect for her.

The problem with Mexican-made saddles is the leather. It isn't the same quality as US made leather. The tanning processes are different. However, you can get a nice-looking Mexican saddle for a lot less than a similar one US made. Likely the tree will be synthetic as well. Sad to say, but a good western saddle is pretty expensive. The Indian and Asian knock-offs you see on ebay and elsewhere in the $500-1,000 range aren't nearly as good as similar US made saddles, but the US ones run in the $2000+ range.

If you can find an old Simco that is in good shape, in the $3-500 range, you will have bought a good off-the-shelf saddle. Most will have regular QH or semi-QH bars and will fit a wide range of horses. There are a lot of other makers of the same quality. They have made affordable off-the-shelf saddles for many years.

That roping saddle on ebay, looks like a solid saddle. Looks like it probably has regular QH bars. Should fit most Quarter Horses ok. The ad says it is full-double rigged, but it looks like 7/8 to me. You won't want a wide cinch for that one. Rear cinch is not necessary, but the slots are there if you want to ad one. I would ask whether the tree is sound and if the horn is tight. Otherwise looks ok. The saddle has seen a lot of use and some minor repairs to the rigging are visible, but looks solid. If you can get them to throw in a string cinch it will save you a few bucks and make up for much of the shipping cost. You certainly couldn't go wrong with it at $150 current price.

You mentioned having the saddle fit to your horse after you buy it. Not really possible with a western saddle. You can re-stuff an English or Aussie saddle and adjust it somewhat, but a western saddle is pretty much set before they start adding leather to the tree. Then again, a lot of people make fitting a western saddle to horse a lot more technical than it really is. It's really nothing to be afraid of. If your horse is a QH type and has pretty normal conformation, that roping saddle would fit fine.

I noticed that both saddles you looked at had a 14" seat. Does this work for you? BTW the Ralide tree, which some people call plastic, is a good tree. There were problems in the beginning few years but that was in the 60's.Ralide trees have been part of a bazillion saddles since those days. Go into Cricle Y's website and check out the High Horse line of saddles particularly the trail saddle-awesome high cantle, marvellous pelvic suppot.

I have one western saddle with a Ralide tree. I use it for backing colts because of it's light weight, but I don't rope on it. Also, after 20 some years the bars have widened so it does not work for most of the horses I ride. Not bad considering age and price, but that won't happen with my rawhide covered wood treed saddles.

Two of my saddle maker friends have gone to using trees made from the same material used on the noses of fighter jets. Very light, very strong. Holds up to everything they do on the ranch and tests at being stronger than traditional trees. But, being custom, more than $3000. I only dream.