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I need to know if this is a good saddle?

2K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  smrobs 
#1 ·
I don't know much about Saddles and the one I have now is only a 14" saddle and does not fit our horse well. I was looking at getting this one but was not sure if it was good or not. It is a 16 1/2 inch saddle. Not sure who it is made by.





 
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#3 ·
Thanks for the info. The problem is the saddle that I have is old. Also it does not fit down on her enough. You can tighten it really tight. When you got to get on it moves and sometimes you can pull it over. Just does not fit well. I need one that is wider in the middle. I went to the saddle shop that was close to me and he said I had an Action saddle. He said I needed a bigger saddle and one with longer sides. I forget what you call that. Maybe the skirt or something?

I just saw this on Craigs List and thought maybe it would work but then again I don't know.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for the info. The problem is the saddle that I have is old. Also it does not fit down on her enough. You can tighten it really tight. When you got to get on it moves and sometimes you can pull it over. Just does not fit well. I need one that is wider in the middle. I went to the saddle shop that was close to me and he said I had an Action saddle. He said I needed a bigger saddle and one with longer sides. I forget what you call that. Maybe the skirt or something?

I just saw this on Craigs List and thought maybe it would work but then again I don't know.
The seat size (14, 15, 16) fits YOU. It has nothing to do with the horse.

The bar type (Full QH or Semi QH bars) and gullet width is what fits your horse. If your saddle is too narrow, then you likely need a saddle with QH or Full QH bars. You'll need to try some on to find just the right fit.

Also, don't buy a saddle unless you know it's a good brand name (retails for $700 or more in stores for a NEW LEATHER saddle).
 
#6 ·
The saddle you are looking at is an inexpensive one. That doesn't mean it isn't a good deal but that depends on how much they want.

It is a huge leap to go from a 14" to a 16 1/2" saddle. How tall and what is the weight of the rider who will be using it? Next, on any saddle I would buy, it would be contingent on fitting not only me but especially my horse. Many, many behavior problems with horses come from ill fitting tack. If you do not know a lot about saddle fitting, have someone come over (or you go to them) and check out the fit.
 
#7 ·
As you said it is more important that the horse be comfortable and that it fit him. I totally agree. That is the main reason for getting a new saddle. If it does not fit her it will not ride right with us either. She turns saddle moves etc. I did have a guy come over that makes saddles for a living as well as being a farrier. He said the saddle needs to be a little wider and that the saddle is just to small. Another thing is I wear tennis shoes and they will not even fit in the stirrups. They have on other horses that I have used. I would take my horse places and see if the saddle fit only problem is she is barley 3 and she does not load worth crap. Gave up on that idea.

I have a guy that is close that has a saddle shop. He has been in business for years and knows his stuff. He has some used saddles but they are a little on the high side. But it may be my only option since I need something that will fit.

How do you know if it is a cheap saddle or cheap leather? I see this saddle and it looks cheap to me. Then I see another saddle that looks like the same leather and it is like $700 bucks.

Once again thanks to all for the helpful info.
 
#10 · (Edited)
You need to measure the gullet size. I used to have a link to a great saddle fitting guide. I'll try to dig it up for you. It has a TON of info on it.

ETA- FOUND IT! :D http://www.western-saddle-guide.com/saddle-fit.html

This website has tons and tons of info on it. Surf around and read up. It will help you get a good idea of what to look for ( it has a saddle buying guide) and what parts of the saddle do what, on and on. I hope it helps and good luck.

Saddle fitting has to be one of THE hardest parts of owning and riding horses.
 
#12 ·
You need to measure the gullet size. I used to have a link to a great saddle fitting guide. I'll try to dig it up for you. It has a TON of info on it.

ETA- FOUND IT! :D Saddle Fit: A Guide to a Happy Horse and Rider

This website has tons and tons of info on it. Surf around and read up. It will help you get a good idea of what to look for ( it has a saddle buying guide) and what parts of the saddle do what, on and on. I hope it helps and good luck.

Saddle fitting has to be one of THE hardest parts of owning and riding horses.
That was a great website. I spent about 30 min on it. Learned a lot.

Here is the horse I am trying to get a saddle for.
 
#11 ·
Based on your weights and heights, a 16" saddle is fine - 16 1/2" is OK. The 14" saddle, as you describe the way it fits your horse and the way your stirrups fit you, sounds like a child's pony saddle and totally inappropriate for an adult and a horse.

A good quality saddle will have supple leather, not leather that is stiff and feels like cardboard. The tree will be wood and rawhide covered (although some good saddles are fiberglass covered - not made of fiberglass, just covered with it). There are a few other giveaways such as poor tooling, a rear cinch that attachs the way the one you were considering does, the strings that are used.

One of the best ways to know a good saddle if you are just leaning is to stay with a name brand. Circle Y, TexTan, as examples. A really nice saddle that is really under priced for the quality is Dakota.

Rule of thumb is, if you can't tell who makes the saddle, stay away from it. There are way too many saddles out there that are made in Asia or Mexico and should be avoided.
 
#14 ·
What are you planning to do with your new saddle? Do you show, trail ride, rope, endurance? As the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for". It will be pretty hard to find a sure enough good saddle for a low price (less than 500) and with used, sometimes you can never tell what you will get unless you see it firsthand and try it out. I would suggest that you have that saddle maker come out and fit your horse and you and just get an estimate. I think it is better to spend a little more on a saddle that will last 30 years than a little less on one that you will have to replace in 5. Just a guess from the picture but I would say that she should probably need regular QH bars and either a 15 1/2" or a 16" should fit you and your wife well.

This is a site that I have ordered from in the past and the saddle that I currently use is the Simco Navajo Roper saddle that I got from them. They have good quality tack at reasonable prices. They also have a pretty good selection.
Western Saddles: Saddles Tack Horse Supplies - ChickSaddlery.com
 
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