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HELP! Saddle, please as many people as possible

3K views 26 replies 9 participants last post by  SarahRicoh 
#1 ·
Well I really need to find a saddle for my boy because its really putting our training on hold and there are NO western saddle fitters anywhere around here so Im learning as much as I can myself...

I measured my english saddles gullet and its 7" which I think translates to full quarter horse bars? Which makes sense as he is quite wide and low withers..
So Iv found a brilliant template of fqb(7") which im going to print off and try to make sure it fits..

I looked on a western saddle sizing seat guide and for my height and weight I need a 16" saddle but Ricohs english saddle is 17" although he carries a 17.5" so do you think 16" will be to big or right?

If you agree with a 16" saddle then I need a dark/medium oil(I think? brown/dark brwon) 16" fqb western saddle for as cheap as possible although it needs to be good quality. Used is fine :)

Does anyone know of good saddle makes that would sell saddles that would suit my requirements.

Wintec and abetta do but apparently synthetic is not great.. This right??
If they're not good then, can anyone suggest any suitable saddles?

Or does anyone have one they're selling?
He also has quite a flat back so are any western saddles better for this or are all flat (unlike some english saddles)

Please help :D pictures/links/advice??

Thanks in advance,
Sarah
 
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#2 ·
Why synthetic is so bad? Not everyone has money for the fancy leather saddle. While I'm very much against Wintec (my Wintec broke causing an accident and friend's Wintec split in 2 parts) I think Abetta is a nice saddle. I must admit it puts my legs in wrong position, but it's a very personal thing anyway and it may be a great fit for you. Also Big Horn makes nice saddles.
 
#3 ·
I didnt mean that synthetics were bad.. I was asking what people think?
Wintec seems to have bad reviews all the time but I thought abetta looked good only people have said they never fit very well for some reason..

And its not like I can try them on so its hard =/
Are big horn expensive?
 
#7 ·
I didnt mean that synthetics were bad.. I was asking what people think?
Wintec seems to have bad reviews all the time but I thought abetta looked good only people have said they never fit very well for some reason..
I have a Wintec saddle and I looove it! Its my fourth saddle, and by far the my favorite. Its a couple years old now and still looks brand new, and requires very little care. Hope this helps. :)
 
#4 ·
Here I go again! I love big horn saddles. The synthetics are synthetics...I feel that with synthetic, you get what you pay for. You can find a cheap, brand new off brand synthetic on ebay for 125+ship. They are junk. Atleast the abettas and the big horns will hold up and I can attest that the big horns do hold their shape and actually fit the horse.

That being said...I love big horn saddles. So comfortable and you can usually find a used leather one pretty cheap. They hold up so dont let the age thing fool you. Make sure to get a picture of the gullet measurements of any saddle you are trying to buy online. A lot of big horns are semi QH bars but since you need full...just poke around a bit. They're pretty easy to find. Check out www.horseclicks.com They have some really good deals on saddles if your willing to sort through the junk.

Seat size wise, a western will always be smaller in seat size...I ride a 15 1/2 right now western and a 19 in english. While it seems those numbers vary drastically...its really not that odd. I have long legs which in an english saddle eats up your seat size. I probably could upgrade to a 16 western but I have a 15 1/2 that I just love. Ill squeeze in it as long as I can!

I dont know what your budget is but heres a pretty nice one on ebay for $300/best offer. I would tell them $275+free shipping. VINTAGE NICE BIG HORN WORKING RANCH HORSE COWBOY SADDLE - eBay (item 270613033322 end time Aug-24-10 18:10:07 PDT) Plain enough saddle but looks comfy.
This one is a bit nicer and is an actual auction that is only bid up to $162. It says semiQH bars but I would have them send you a picture with their mesurements. My horse can only wear semi and I know that saddle wouldnt fit him...the gullet is too wide VINTAGE 16" BIG HORN ALL-PURPOSE WESTERN SADDLE - eBay (item 120605418307 end time Aug-12-10 13:46:03 PDT)
 
#6 ·
My english is 17.5 CC and looks like I need 18 for dressage. I ride in 15 western though. The reason why I need 17.5/18 is I have very long legs and while those seats are too big for my butt (more than 4 fingers on both sides), smaller sizes put my legs/seat in wrong position. With western since you go with really long stirrups the size will depends on your "behind" size.

May I ask what's your budget? Do you really want a new saddle? There are nice used leather saddles on sale all the time. You can also make a tracings and send them to the western saddle fitter to see what he/she will say/suggest. I did it just couple weeks back (for english saddle).

I know some people on forum have saddles from https://corrientesaddleco.com/CONTACT_US.php and I remember the price is VERY reasonable for the custom made saddle. I'm positive they do "distance fitting" as well, so you may want to contact them.
 
#8 ·
I had a wintec and absolutely loved it! It has been one of the best saddles I have had and they are wonderful for people who can't lift very much weight and a plus for your horse's back. Plus they are easy to care for...no leather oil needed!
I just got a big horn( trying it out for a week to see how I like it) and they are awesome as well. Light in weight and comfy.


I personally love synthetic saddles and some ppl don't like wintec and some don't but I never had a problem with mine and I ride a lot.
 
#9 ·
I personally love synthetic saddles and some ppl don't like wintec and some don't but I never had a problem with mine and I ride a lot.
This has been my experience, too. Some people love them and some hate them. Two of the saddles we have are Wintec All Rounders, I don't even remember how many years we've had them, they fit our mares well, still look very good, and we've never had a problem with either of them.
 
#11 ·
i LOVE my synthetic bighorn saddle! and so far all the synthetic saddles i have used have always fit the horses the i use it on. so i've never had a problem of a synthetic saddle not fitting, i als get caught riding in the rain and my saddle dries quickly and doesn't need to be conditioned, when it gets dirty all it takes is a cleaner and a scrub brush and were good to go, if suddenly i get an urge to go swimming in the pond.. i don't have to take my saddle off and sit on a sweaty horse back.. i just take my saddle with me and have no second thoughts about it ruining, it's also light weight so it's easy to put on my horse and my horse never minds it, and i have used heavy leather saddles but i've just never seemed to like them, and you can't wear shorts in them as the leather will rub your legs raw, but with my synthetic i can easily wear shorts and not have to worry about the leather rubbing me.
 
#12 ·
you gotta love the synthetics.
I honestly might always stick to sythetics unless there is a leather one
that i can't live without =P


I just got my big horn...so excited.
I was loping around and my horse took off in a burst of energy and so I flew forward a bit and back into my seat. The seat braced my back because of the high cantle. and it's cushy so your butt won't get sore.
 
#14 ·
I had a Tex tan / big horn for years and literally cried when I sold it. They are excellent saddles and the one I had was over 30 years old and still in terrific shape! They also hold their value well. I only sold it because it doesn't fit my horse and I knew I didn't posess the self to control to keep the saddle and not ride in it. I now have a circle y which I also just love but theycan get expensive. Just look for a quality used saddle. I've had great luck with eBay.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#15 ·
im slightly unsure whether I need a 15" or 16" western saddle so I think 15.5" saddle will be best :D

So final thing is dark brown/brown, 15.5", fqhb(7" gullet) western saddle for under £250($392) and if its from USA must be able to ship to UK for relatively cheap...

Im thinking big horn/abetta are good :D Can anyone find any links to saddles that would be suitable?

Thanks so much everyone!!! :)
 
#16 ·
im slightly unsure whether I need a 15" or 16" western saddle so I think 15.5" saddle will be best :D

So final thing is dark brown/brown, 15.5", fqhb(7" gullet) western saddle for under £250($392) and if its from USA must be able to ship to UK for relatively cheap...

Im thinking big horn/abetta are good :D Can anyone find any links to saddles that would be suitable?

Thanks so much everyone!!! :)
To be honest I NEVER heard about 15.5 or 16.5 etc. From what I've seen the western goes in 15, 16, 17, etc. unlike English saddle.
 
#17 ·
I have seen a few... Do you think it would be better to get a 16" so iv got more room as I cant try any.
Or a 15"?

Im a 17" in english so it seems I should have a 15" but doing the measurement thing I am a 16" and in terms of height and weight (a chart) I am a 16".
Are western seats measured on only the seat if you get me?
Like from the horn to the cantle or different?
 
#19 ·
I'd go with 16 personally. Little extra space won't harm (and you can relax more and sleep in it on long trail ride :wink: just kidding ).

Folks, can you post a reference to any Internet store selling 15 1/2, 16 1/2, etc? I've never seen it in catalogs or any local store around. So just curious.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Western saddles to go in half sizes, 15 1/2, 16 1/2, etc. Most people measure from the base of the horn to the cantle, some measure from the base of the pommel to the cantle, so it might be good to ask. The seat size is going to depend on the saddle and how deep the seat is on the saddle. I currently have a 15", it has a very deep seat and is very roomy. I've ridden in some 15"s that are just a bit too small for me. To give you an idea I am 5'4" and 120 pounds and have a large rear and thighs and really skinny top haha. I am most comfortable in a 17" english. A problem I have had with larger western saddles is that the fenders are too long for me and I have to punch extra holes in the top, so keep that in mind if you are shorter.

I also see that you know you need a 7" gullet. If you are buying used, please be sure to ask where the seller measured the gullet. Alot of saddles flare out at the front and alot of people don't realize that. I bought a saddle that was supposably a 8" gullet. Yes it measured 8" across the front at the widest part of the flare, but was actually only 6 1/2" gullet measured under the pommel. So if you see the typical picture of the ruler in front of the saddle, ask for the seller to measure the gullet underneath the level of the pommel (but still level with the conchos) because you might not be getting as wide of a saddle as you think you are!
 
#20 · (Edited)
#21 ·
Here ya go Kitten Val. A lot of places only sell full seat sizes, but if you look around they are out there. Smithbrothers sells 1/2 sizes for example David Motes Roping Saddle by Saddlesmith - Smith Brothers
Teskeys Teskey's Saddle Shop: Saddles, not EVERY new saddle here comes in 1/2 sizes but the majority do.
Just a couple places, I don't feel like checking every store haha.
Interesting. I guess it depends on brand. I checked those I know out of curiosity (like Circle Y, Big Horn, Tex Tan) and couldn't find any 1/2 sizes. Thanks for the links, horseluver!
 
#24 ·
Thanks everyone... So if a 16" is mostly equivalent to a 18" english and my horse can only carry a 17.5" max saddle english... Should I get a 15" for his sake? :D
Does she have really short back? Why do you have such limitations?
 
#25 ·
I think he must have a short back... An english saddle is not meant to go past the horses last rib as its then putting pressure on the wrong part of the back.
To not go past his last rib he can only have 17.5" max. So what do you think I should do? Try find a 15.5" or have a 15".
I am 5ft5 and I weigh 9stone7(about 133lbs)..
Sorry 4 so many questions.. You guys are great :D
 
#26 ·
I think he must have a short back... An english saddle is not meant to go past the horses last rib as its then putting pressure on the wrong part of the back.
To not go past his last rib he can only have 17.5" max. So what do you think I should do? Try find a 15.5" or have a 15".
I am 5ft5 and I weigh 9stone7(about 133lbs)..
Sorry 4 so many questions.. You guys are great :D
With these parameters I'd think 15 should be OK for you. Hmmmm.... Do you have pics of your horse with the english saddle on?
 
#27 ·
Umm I do but only on my phone and I cant them across.. Il post a pic of my horse though if that'l help. If I put a tape measure (sounds weird) starting infront of me and through my legs to the back.. Like a seat and see how much room I have with it at 15" length will that be about same as a western saddle?
Sounds very weird but I know what I mean :D
 
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