getting into horses/tack/saddles

I'm a younger in ohio and i'm getting into horses. I'm starting to ride and need to buy all my own tack. Whats better leather or nylon?? And when it comes to a saddle I need somethin cheap and somthin I can use to ride every once in a awhile. I've seen leather and nylon saddles I don't know what to get please help me

[i'm starting to ride and need to buy all my own tack. Whats better leather or nylon??]

Well, do you prefer cleaning, or not?? Leather takes far more care, and can get mouldy far quicker. It does look nice in the ring, and nothing beats the smell of clean leather. I prefer leather, but I ride in a synthetic saddle every day.

As for cheap saddles, they don't get much cheaper than a Status. There are many people who swear by Statuses, but you do get what you paid for, so quality is a little compromised. The next thing up (in Australia, anyway!) is a Wintec, which are decent quality, though they are a bit more expensive than Statuses.

Hope that helps a little!!

Are you just going to trail ride? Since you say "every once in a while" you might find good deals on used saddles, I've seen a lot on CL.

Go with the used saddle. I personally prefer leather (you can find really nice deals on used ones) but if your financial situation is too bad it's better to go with nice used synthetic (like Abetta) then cheap leather saddle (those are very bad quality and fit badly the horse). I agree with other people - leather requires care.

I prefer leather. I just bought a decent leather english saddle that is very comfortable at a consignment shop in our area. It's used to death, but structurally very sound. Since I won't ride all that often in it, and I don't show, it was perfect for me. And it only cost $75.00. I have to buy the girth/pad/leathers and stirrups, but it's still a good deal for a sound saddle that I can use every now and then.

Well thanks but I ride western. I like the look of leather but I want somethin I can keep for long time and don't take much care. Also need help with other tack please

Look at Abetta or Big Horn sythetic. They go long and not much of care. Some people also like Wintec, but I personally had very bad experience with this brand in past (I'm talking about western).

Welcome to the forum.

A budget would make it easier to give you some solid suggestions. Do you own a horse or are you just going to ride someone else's horse?

As for synthetic saddles, everyone has their suggestions and I'll add Fabtron as being the best I've seen. For tack, I just don't like nylon so I would go with a decent leather bridle and reins.

Don't for get that you will need a saddle pad as well - aside from the saddle, that is another piece of equipment that you should not buy on the cheap. Both pieces are extremely important to the welfare of your horse.

I second that too. Forgot about the brand.. :)

If you want to ride in comfort buy an Australian style saddle. They have good knee and thigh pads and are "almost" impossible to fall out of them. Best of all you sit on your butt like we were meant to, not on inner thighs.