Question About Synthetic Saddles

I have been looking around for a all rounder little saddle that I can use on my new four year old Palomino gelding. I already have a western saddle that weighs like 30 pounds, and I am interested in something lighter.

My question is how do you all feel about synthetic saddles? I am looking for something that can handle my rough n tough trail riding, but will also look nice for when I barrel race this new horse. I am young and have no job, so a 100% leather $5000 barrel saddle like I am currently using is out of the question.

Possible Saddle Choice


I was looking at these saddles. I noticed that they have weaver leather, and I have always trusted that brand. How do you feel about them?

Also, a random question here. How do y'all think the turquoise one would look on a light palomino? I like to match my saddles with my horse. Hehe.


PS - If any of you are selling a colorful barrel saddle for a good price, please message me and I will MOST CERTAINLY check it out.

Synthetics if Good Ole USA Made DuPont Cordura Nylon are Great, but this Indian made stuff is a 1-2 year saddle, if your lucky and is doesn't give your Horse a sore back.

Weaver has always been a Name associated with Quality till they started selling this type of Junk.

I love my Cordura, if you are on a budget, look for a used Abetta, Fabtron or Bighorn.

Stay away from the Wintec also.

Some places are selling Abettas for 279.00 New!


CJ

Like CJ said above, good American made synthetics are just fine. I have a 7yr old Abetta that took a LOT of riding and still rides fine. It doesn't look all that pretty now, but it works . They make some cuter barrel saddles now too. Abetta Saddles, Horse Tack, Supplements, Ranch and Horse Equipment and Stable Supplies. Largest Abetta Saddle Dealer in the USA.

Weaver's synthetic saddles are made in Aisa, with just their name stamped on them... I would steer clear!

If you want leather, then you might check out Southern Trail's saddles. He has a few different lines, all made on good solid trees in the USA. I believe he'll also do semi-custom work for you. Western Saddles, Trail Saddles, Western Trail Saddle, Ranch Saddle

I absolutely LOOOOOOVE Abetta :) I will never own an leather western saddle (I'm an english rider, but actually use the western saddle more as I use it on working with greenies and for trail riding). I like the light weight and ease of maintaining/cleaning. Price is great, too!

I have the Abetta trail saddle, and have used it a LOT in the past... 11? Years I've owned it. My friend visited me and we went riding, she used it and commented on how much she loved it as well. I'm going to be buying a new one (my Fell needs a wider one than the semi qtr bars mine has) and it will be Abetta again, except it will be the Endurace Serenity (used to be called Trinity). I have a friend who does endurance and highly recomends that one for those who dont' want to buy a leather one.

The poster above already posted the link to where I'm goign to get mine. They have the best prices I've found (even comparing with ebay) (unless you can find a used one)

Chick's has the best prices, but doesn't sell all the models.
Abetta Saddles: Saddles Tack Horse Supplies - ChickSaddlery.com

I was actually looking at an Abetta synthetic saddle that was colorful and costed about $100 more than the one I first posted.

I have never had experience with purchasing a synthetic, so I figured the more leather the better. Haha.

I will be sure to check out your websites.

Trying looking at used saddles too. SADDLES ENGLISH WESTERN - BUCKS COUNTY SADDLERY - HORSE SADDLE, TACK, BRIDLE, BIT, BOOT, RIDING APPAREL, TRAILERS, STABLE SUPPLIES carries some used western saddles, they let you take them out on trial too. I was poking around and they have some really inexpensive western saddles on there. I know nothing about the brands though (Being an english person)

Uh oh, Skippy!'s going to be the stick in the muuuud :p

I actually did not like my Abetta at all, and I would never buy another for these reasons:

Skippy! Fell over at the canter with it on my first week of owning it, and the synthetic material on the pommel just turned to confetti. My dad had to epoxy it back together and it left a battle scar

It was -impossible- to keep clean, or to clean. Unline my Wintec Synthetic... the Abetta's Synthetic material was some sort of fiber/fabric which absorbed the dirt. I tried to use a wet cloth to clean it but then my saddle would be wet for the entire afternoon and when it dried it didnt look black.

It was $390.00 when I bought it (which, in my opinion, for a synthetic is expensive.. again, that's just my opinion).

You could glance at it from across the ring and -know- it was synthetic.. Which made it look kind of cheesy to me. It also looked kind of cheap (even though it was nearly 400 bucks)

The Billets that came with the saddle were increadibly cheap and had to be replaced after 4 months of weekend riding (about 6 rides a week).

I know from reading this thread that a lot of other people had Abettas and loved them, but I personally couldn't be happier when my dad bought me my current western saddle, Which is a black Wintec Synthetic. Unlike the Abetta, this is what I like about the Wintec:

VERY easy to clean.. damp rag everything but the suede seat (my seat also has ornate stitching in it, the abetta didnt)

Bought it brand new for $210.00, and after many rides, including breaking a 3 year old that flipped over, it looks BRAND new.

I have showed in quite a few shows with it, even shows where you can earn points (APHA recognized) and felt like I still looked professional. The saddle also came with some conchos on it, just enough to make it look nice.

The offside billet was too thin for my taste, so I replaced it.. but Even after 4 years I am -still- using the original near sided billet and it hasnt frayed or stiffened.

Here is the brown one on Jeffers (wow, price has raised since I bought mine.. still very affordable).

Wintec® All Rounder Saddle - Western Synthetic Saddles

I guess the downside on a Wintec for you would be that they have the square skirting... and most barrel racers don't like that. I barrel raced in it and did just fine :p Its lighter than my Dressage Saddle.

Im in the market for a Circle Y Park and Trail saddle just because I want a leather saddle. But there is no way im ever getting rid of my Wintec ^^

I hope my ramblings helped ya out some!

I do agree that the Abetta rigging left a bit to be desired. I replaced mine with leather before I ever used it, but I prefer leather rigging anyway.

Mine held up well, with only a little gouge on the pommel when my mare decided to try and scratch on a tree she was tied too, lol.

I also agree that the Cordura gets dirty easily. I hose mine down and scrub it when it gets really dirty, and keep it covered in the tack room.

I also agree that is looks fake, but that's because it's cordura (fabric), not equileather like the wintec.

The Wintec western is a decent saddle, but not as nice as their English saddles. I also had trouble fitting it to very many horses. Abetta has more tree width options and their basic QH tree seems to fit all the stock type horses I put it on, even the big wide ones.

It is nice to see that Wintec has finally come out with FQHB. For the longest time all you could get was Semi-QH bars, which in their saddle IME, only fit more narrow horses (like TBs or lankier Appendix types).

Careful showing in any synthetic saddle at breed shows that qualify for registry points. Some do not allow synthetic saddles (in the main show rule book). I know ApHC (Appys) do not allow synthetics at all.

The show I got points in was an APHA show. It was a standard class at what would be considered an otherwise "backyard" sort of show. I don't know how I got away with it... lol. This was back in 2004 or 2003 I think. Would that rule for the Apps only apply to ApHC hosted shows? Or any shows that give points?

I have never had a problem fitting my Wintec, but then again I usually go nuts on the pads (felts, weight distributors, etc) and each horse has its own combo of pads for optimal performance. I think mine is Full QH bars though. I have to make sure it sits right on Dreamer, because he is a very narrow horse. Since he is a Walker, I might just go out and buy an Aussie saddle (since I have no need to post on that horse). I've never tried the Wintec English saddles... I'm in the market for an All Purpose or Close Contact, but figured i'd go with leather. I used to have a Kincade but it was too small for me, so I traded it and got a horse for it, LOL

Another note about the Abetta... if you're looking to get one with color, be weary. Mine was black and it was impossible to keep/get clean.. I can imagine a teal or pink one getting really grody as it is washed. I never had the courage to hose mine down (what with the suede seat and all) because I was worried it would never dry. I used a very wet rag though and it always had a "grey" appearance when the saddle dried. I really just don't like Cordura I guess.

Glad to see I wasn't the only one that wasn't smitten with their Abetta. Very helpful input luvs2ride =)