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Help me decide- Western saddle choices

2K views 17 replies 10 participants last post by  Tori Taylor 
#1 ·
Ok so I am coming to the states in a couple of months and will be taking another saddle back with me. I am looking at 3 used saddles on eBay and trying to decide. They should fit one of the three girls I have rescued it is as always a crapshoot as the horses are in Indonesia and you cannot find saddles here....
All are older one is a 2003 Rocking R which is the most expensive but still reasonable, looks like a 1980's Arabian Simco ( it could be 90's). and an older Tex Tan not sure of year maybe somebody here can guess?
I will post a photo of each (I have more) just looking for some thoughts....

This is the Rocking R most expensive of the 3
 

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#2 ·
The Simco doesn't look ridden in much (stirrups aren't turned?). And those were not original aluminum stirrups.... I like this one used to own one very. Similar many years ago...seat is a bit more shallow. Pricing right in the middle
 

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#5 ·
can you take one of the bendable wither measuring/tracing things and makes some wither tracings of the horses, to take with you to US? I mean, from those photos, one can hardly make any judgement at all as to the tree size/fit, for your narrow horses.

have you thought about buying a good quality treeless saddle?
 
#6 ·
All 3 have a gullet of 6 to 7 inches and two have arabian trees. And all have the shorter skirt length to fit smaller horses/ponies. Once the girls have weight I think they will be no different to fit then small arabs. Yes measured saddles would be ideal but we are looking at offering lessons and having saddles that fit multiple smaller horses so I want to have two or 3 various saddles that are good quality but still affordable. I will be the one doing most of the riding so am looking at 15 inch seats. If a saddle is of a horrible fit there are 300 horses and ponies on the surrounding islands so there is a always a market and we can fit it to another more appropriate horse. (that is what we have done with the Wintec that was too big). I will only be in the states a short period of time and not in an area with many tack shops or horse supplies so I am shopping for one or two smaller arab short skirted saddles to try to have there and bring back with me. I have an aussie stock saddle donated that will be coming next month that is also for a smaller horse so if that fits it will be a bonus.
As to a treeless saddle I personally have zero experience with them so wouldn't even know where to start. I am trying to stick with what i know best and can judge on my own with confidence when it is here as to fit and function.
 
#8 ·
We have 3 mares from 13.2 hands with a very round barrel to 14.2 and a more narrow barrel. Fairly short backed Indonesian horses/ponies. I ride a 15 inch saddle and currently have one that works well for two of the girls...the other girl is still too thin to try much on as they are all rescues....
 
#12 ·
Hi Tori!

The only reasonably certain way to evaluate saddle fit w/o having your horse there, is something called an "EQUImeasure".

EQUImeasure ? The Ultimate Saddle Fitting Tool

It's basically a sheet of low temperature thermoplastic that can be heated, and molded to the horses back. After it cools, it can then be used to check against a saddle.

As you will be a long, long way from being able to return a poorly fitting saddle, one of these would probably be a good investment. They are totally re-usable, so maybe shop for a used one?

Steve
 
#13 ·
Glad to see you looking at the older models of these saddle brands:smile: as they were built much better back in those days,would not touch a newer model one of any now:-x The simco is looks the best of them . I have an old late 80's simco still in pretty decent shape, used now just primarily to break out the youngsters.It is ok on the youngsters but is too small/narrow for by beefy QH's:-o
 
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#17 ·
Glad to see you looking at the older models of these saddle brands:smile: as they were built much better back in those days,would not touch a newer model one of any now:-x The simco is looks the best of them . I have an old late 80's simco still in pretty decent shape, used now just primarily to break out the youngsters.It is ok on the youngsters but is too small/narrow for by beefy QH's:-o
I totally agree so many saddles I see now are crap with poor quality construction. I had a Billy Cook barrel saddle I sold when I left the states and wish I had never let it go. I have always liked the 80's and 90's western saddles they were built string and last forever with good care!
 
#18 ·
FYI I got the Tex Tan and a Fabtron synthetic. I also have had two Australian stock saddles donated so I am sure we can fit them to the horse with so many choices. Anything that doesn't fit I can sell to another owner here as saddles are like gold here and very hard to come by. My goal is one saddle that fits each horse so I can offer lessons etc. I will get the stock saddles end of February but the western ones not until May when I fly to the states unless somebody comes before then.
 
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