The Great Saddle Search 2013

I'm looking for a western saddle to show in at local shows this summer. I thought I'd found one at a local feed store, but it was ridiculously narrow on Aires, so it's going back today (*sniff sniff sob*). Here's what I'm looking for...

17" seat
FQHB
Medium oil (Preferred, but not necessary)
Great shape (doesn't have to be fancy)

My price limit was $300, but I can go as high as $500 for the right saddle.

Here's the ones I've found on Craigslist so far that might he contenders.

Http://prescott.craigslist.org/grd/3650808695.html

Can someone look up the serial number on this Circle Y for me, please? My phone doesn't like the Circle Y site, for whatever reason.

Http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/grd/3637240541.html

And of course I find exactly what would be perfect...at twice my max budget. *facepalm*
Http://showlow.craigslist.org/grd/3649888007.html

I'm seriously having trouble finding a 17" seat at all, much less FQHB.
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If you are willing to pay shipping check out this local classifieds website. There seem to be a lot of saddles for sale with 17 inch seats. Granted it's a lot of ads to look through but it may just yield some results!

Horse Tack

Edit: found a few, the first one is only a 16 but it looks good so maybe it could work, plus sometimes people measure wrong right? http://www.bismanonline.com/tex_tan_...ing_saddle_for

Again, this one is only a 16 sorry :/ http://www.bismanonline.com/circle_s_16_roper_b

Aaand again, not exactly what you specified but it never hurts to look http://www.bismanonline.com/for_sale...western_saddle

Heck if I could afford it and needed a 16 inch saddle and had a horse that needed fqhb I would buy the first two!

I just found this one on eBay. Contacted the seller and asked for an exact gullet measurement.

Used Western Saddle 17" Saddle Full Quarter Horse Bars | eBay
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Unfortunately, the first one is too beat up to show in (would be good for trails, but I've got my Aussie for trails), the third one is synthetic and I can't show on synthetic (there's plenty of 17" synthetics in my area, too), and the second one may be too narrow (I'll have to double-check the gullet measurement on the Circle Y that was too narrow, but I think it was 7").
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I also found these two. The second one is at the very upper limit of my budget, but has a narrow twist.

Three Bars 17" Tooled Western Saddle | eBay

Used Western Saddles FQHB 17" Roughout Narrow Twist Super Comfy | eBay
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I'm confused. The lady just emailed me back and said that the gullet measures 5" from screw to screw. *scratches head*
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I have this for sale. I promise you it looks much nicer than in the pic but it's a 16". The leather is quality, made by American Saddlery. I have more pics that I'd prefer to send to an email address. The leather is the rich dark oil antique. Price is $450 plus shipping.

I will warn you that certain gullet sizes don't always equal certain bar angles.

For example, Corriente sells only FQHB saddles in a 7" gullet. My Dad has a couple of old Billy Cook saddles that are FQHB...with a 7.5" gullet. I've also seen some saddles advertised from dealers/manufacturers that were 7" gullet...and Semi-QHB.

I'm going to go do a withers tracing on the beast tonight and take it with me when I go to Flagstaff tomorrow. Going to hit the tack shops up there and see what I can find. I have to go pick up my Aussie saddle and grooming stuff anyway.
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Well good luck to you! I know I eventually gave up on finding the perfect saddle for Hunny and just had one custom made and paid for it by taking out a small loan so I can build credit too. It's always a possibility :)