saddles....opinions please on these brands

Know that I know the approx size for a saddle that fits Sonny I'm going to go to a tack shop and look at new and used saddles. The one play I'm going to stop at is Cheshire Horse and wanted to get everyone's opinions on the brands that they sell (new...they don't have a consignment page).

Tucker: out of my price range though unless they have consignment ones
Abetta: I had one, nice saddle, but not sure if I want to get another one
Reinsman: never heard of the brand...probably costly though
Big Horn: Tried one of the BOs big horn western leathers and it was painful!!!!!!!
Wintec: I love their english saddles never tried their western
Circle-Y: Rode in them....love them

What's your opinion on these saddles? What one would you get if you were on a tight budget? Which would be the better made? What's your opinions on the Wintec western?
Thanks

Tucker: tried one and wasn't impressed for the price :)
Abetta: never. My horse hated it and it also push my legs wa-a-a-ay forward. Although they are very popular.
Reinsman: never tried (actually never seen either besides the pic)
Big Horn: Number of people I know like it, I tried and didn't find it comfy
Wintec: western - NEVER again (tree broke after 2 years of use causing the accident)
Circle-Y: nice saddles.

Sonny, I'd also consider TexTan (cheaper than Circle Y, but nice quality and popular around my place, overall I liked it better to sit in than Circle Y), Bill Cook (I never seen pleasure, but tried cutting and barrel - very comfy), Alamo (pleasure trail is very comfy, some other types - didn't like much). If you can try any of them (I do NOT recommend to order on Internet without trying just because someone said it's comfy :) )...

Tucker: EXPENSIVE, but comfy and the ultimate trail riding

Abetta: not a fan, they make a lot of synthetics, i'm a leather person

Reinsman: *gulp* VERY EXPENSIVE ie. A regular snaffle bit from there cost me almost a hundred dollars...... good quality though

Big horn: good brand, haven't ridden in one

Wintec: cheaper brand..... much cheaper, probably not the best quality

Circle-Y: absolutely love the older models!!

I have an american saddlery one from horse.com, I love it to pieces, but I don't think it would fit sonny because it's not made for the big wide quarter horses (even though it says it is :roll: )

The size of the Circle-Y was the length of my thump and middle finger extended hehe (or technically the full length of my hand) so it would be about 7-7.5 inches....a Quarter Horse tree I believe is the name of it.

I'd perfer a leather vs. a synthetic, but not sure if I can afford a leather. I'll be looking at the synthetic ones and taking pictures of them for everyone to see. But if I remember correctly the only consignment ones were costly.

What I want for a western is mainly something that will fit Sonny, my comfortable for me (though I can and WILL live with one that isn't as long as it fits Sonny perfectly or as close to perfect as I can get and he responds good to it), not tooo expensive, one that will be good for trail riding, one that is good quality, and hopefully can use for shows (optional since I may have to go with a synthetic...but I can always use the BO's daughters Circle-Y for shows I guess)

Mlkarel, In your opinion, do you think the synthetic Big Horns are as good as the leathers....meaning quality wise. At a tack shop on consignment there is a nice tooled with silver light to medium oiled leather one by Big Horn that looks like it would fit for $800 ish, but at the place where I'm going there is the Big Horn Synthetic that I liked before that was $395 I believe.

Maybe I should just get a good quality synthetic and save up for a fancy Circle-Y or another nice leather saddle. That way I wouldn't have to use my "show" saddle (which would be a fancy leather one) for pleasure riding as well...I dunno hehe

I've learned that synthetics and cheap leather saddles don't last at all, and you'll pay more for two cheap ones then one fair priced one and the fair priced one will last you longer than the two cheap ones combined

My work saddle is a big horn, it's all leather, I'm not sure they even make them like it anymore, it's the dark leather with just a little silver, I remember it was 895 new... My show saddle is a Circle Y... I like the tex tans too...

I suggest you TRY to get an equitation saddle because it helps put you where you ware supposed to be. Trail saddles tend to push your legs a little more forward in front of the girth because they are made for long hours in the saddle and more for comfort...

I don't know alot about the speed saddles but my geuss would be they would throw your legs a little forward because of the sliding stops and the sharp turns.....just a thought to consider.

What is your price range?

$800 max is what I can afford...my dad said he'll chip in $300.

I stopped by Cheshire Horse and found a Tucker for $800 on consignment....practically new...has a couple scratches on it but if they are truely worth the $1500 + for them than it's a good saddle for a good price.
I'll be running up to my room to take pictures of it soon....we asked if they'd take less but they said since it came from their NH store that they more than likely wouldn't take any off

Pictures:












Think it's worth $800? I have yet to try it on Sonny (it's storming at the moment...thunder and lightening...Sonny would sooooo spook) so I'll be trying it tomorrow

It sounds like good price - Tucker is expensive. Ask whether you can try it on Sonny for sure!

Yeah I can try it on Sonny...I have it at my house now...will be trying it on tomorrow. I have will Monday to return it if it doesn't fit.