Saddle shopping.

So I can finally afford to buy a new saddle! I am very excited but I am so lost in the overwhelming amount of options I have. I've learned a lot about saddles and my horse in the past year which narrows my options down but I am still not sure what to get!

I don't really want to spend more then around 300.
I would like a western saddle.
It needs to have a narrow tree/ be specific to gaited breeds.
HAS to have a cushioned seat.

I like the synthetic saddles honestly. Though a good leather one is just as tasteful. Anyway, I guess what I am asking is with what is stated above do you have any saddle in mind? I am trying to find a much better fitted saddle to fit my ASB and myself.

Your best option is hitting some breed or open shows or big trail rides and talking to people. They can give you a goid idea of brands and prices for your area. As a bonus, you might find a deal on a saddle.

Other than that, I would look at eBay. Buying a used saddle will almost always give you more bang for the buck. Plus, you don't have to break it in.
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Used is definitely the way to go in that price range. Anything new for $300 will be junk - especially those so called "starter packages" as seen on ebay or some of the on line tack shops.

If possible I would take my horse or his tracings to a tack shop and see what size tree he measures up to before buying anything. Just because he is gaited, doesn't mean that any gaited saddle will work. I've seen some TWHs that needed FQH bars.

Synthetic will be less costly then leather but leather will last much longer and still have value if you need to resell it.

I like the suggestion of going to a show or trail ride. I also like the suggestion about buying a used saddle. I always buy used.

People seem to like to share their opinions about what they do and don't like about their saddles. I always learn something doing that.

I don't actually go to shows and the only trail ride I will be going on this year is ride for the cure and I was hoping to get a better saddle before then. I am more interested in what brands I should be looking into. I am not a heavy rider so getting a super expensive saddle just doesn't make sense to me. I want something that will fit my horse and still be somewhat comfortable to me.

It isn't that you should get an expensive saddle, its getting a quality one so you don't have to spend more money when the $300 new saddle breaks and doesn't fit your horse.

The cheapo saddles suck! They can be very hard to fit, terrible leather quality, and are very prone to falling apart.

Browse eBay, horse clicks, or your local Craigslist to get an idea of what $300 will get you in a used saddle. Heck, go to some pawn shops! Sometimes those are good buys.
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Ugh, I am just not very good at wording what I mean I suppose. Brands, I am looking for brands to look into.

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The Majority of Cheap Saddles have no name on them.

There are some that do have names and still should be avoided.

Instead of trying to name every bad brand and every good brand, here is a link to a site showing an impartial review of saddles, the bad ones will soon become relevant as you see the rating and reviews by their name.

Trail Saddles


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Thank you, I appreciate it.