Need a new saddle...need suggestions

I am going to have to purchase a new saddle for my horse - the one I have (brand new Billy Cook Trail Saddle 1536) is pinching his withers and making a mark on him. I have tried gel pads and an extra wood pad - he actually bucked yesterday with me...not a bucking fit but a little buck which for this horse was the same as having a wall eyed fit.

I borrowed a Tucker to try to see if I like them, I am considering purchasing one of theirs. I am also looking at Southern Trails. I am looking for comfort for my horse and myself like everyone else! I like my Billy Cook - it is wonderful but this particular one doesn't love my Red. I have also looked at the Steele saddles - wow they are nice and a stable buddy has one I can try.

What is your dream saddle - I basically trail ride for pleasure and would one day maybe ride in competitive trail so I need a saddle that is 30 lbs or so.

A saddle that is pinching your horse is going to be worse with extra padding. Kevin at SouthernTrails is a great person to deal with and very knowledgeable - give him a call and he can get you going in the right direction.

My "dream" trail saddle (with a traditional tree) is a Hope trail saddle. They're pricey, but I just love the design and concept. A friend has one, but it's too small for my hiney, so I have not ridden in one. She and I like the same kind of "feel" in our saddles, so I'm sure I would love one.
The Hope Saddle is the Ultimate Trail Saddle

However, my favorite trail saddle that I have ridden in is my Bob Marshall treeless saddle. I LOVE IT! Very comfy, fits all but the WIDEST of horses, light weight, and looks good too. I have the endurance model, but with a taller cantle w/cheyenne roll, and tooling. I bought it for $1,000 used and it was well worth it! Because there is no tree, you do need a good pad. I use a Skito Treeless saddle pad and ThinLine western pad under that. I am a heavy rider (250 lbs), so I like to double pad. If you're not heavy, then just the Skito is enough.

Here's my mare and saddle, shortly after I got it (April 2007).

those are GORGEOUS!!!

any other suggestions? I have looked at a bazillion saddle companies and still don't have a concrete decision!

Find a local saddle shop that does trials. I would start by taking out some of their saddle and see what you like and what fits your horse best.

Saddles are a real personal choice, we all have our favorites. Plus fit of the horse can be a real big issue.

A local feed/supply/saddle store said they would come out and try different saddles on Red. There is a saddle shop on the west side of Houston (about 110 miles away) that fits but hauling across Houston bites!

I tried a Steele on Red today and it seemed to pinch in the same place as my Billy Cook. Red wasn't switching his tail though!

I am going to try my husband's Full Quarter Horse Bars Billy Cook on Red in the morning. LOL I will find something!!

I have gone through a few saddles, and finally bit the bullet and spent the cash and got a continental Nevada saddle. A few of the girls at my barn have them and swear by them, and let me tell you, I am a believer! They are super comfy, you can ride for hours, have a nice deep seat and do wonders for my horse. He is so happy in this saddle. Their website: Continental Saddlery 888-730-6464 but sometimes you can pick them up on ebay cheaper.
Good luck with your search!

wooo hoo those are gorgeous!!!

This saddle thing has just about drove me nuts. I can't stand the thought of causing my boy any sort of discomfort. I have searched the internet and looked at a bazillion saddles. I went back and read all kinds of information on forums about saddles and fitting saddles.

I looked at the Skito pads and am going to try one to fill in the hollows behind Red's big shoulders. It might work...it might not but if it does I can keep my brand new Billy Cook saddle!

They are over nighting it to me and we are leaving as soon as I receive it to go camping at an equestrian park and ride all weekend!

Anyone use the Skito pads here and have an opinion or review?

I've had many different brands and one that was custom made over the years. I needed a saddle fast since I sold my Mastercraft. I figured that an inexpensive saddle would be OK and I also figured that I would go used to gt the best value.

I ended up with a Corriente saddle with a rawhide covered Wade tree, 17", roughout seat and fenders. I couldn't believe the price or the value for the money. I still can't see how they can produce a saddle of that quality for what they charge. Even with the extra for the 17", the round skirts, the extra tooling, and the medium oil stain, it came shipped for $700!!! I expected to send it back as junk but it is a pretty nice saddle - wide tree too.
Corriente wade saddle.jpg