Too good to be true?

Has anyone used this saddle combo? http://www.horse.com/products/sku-EKA30__dept-3.html

Is it too good to be true? Also, how do you figure out saddle size?

Ewww!! Bad bad bad!!!!

I haven't ridden in that exact saddle, but you can tell it's one of those generic, cardboard, painted-on-color, cheap, made in India, off-balanced, pieces of garbage!

Unless you ride in it like...once a year...you'll be disappointed. (And you'll still be disappointed for that one day and wonder why you wasted the $150.)

As for the fittings that come with the saddle. I bet the irons and bit are not Stainless Steel, so they'll rust. The Stirrup Leathers and Bridle are probably stiff and cheap; could possibly break if under stress. Also, they won't be dyed properly and the color will come off when you (try to) oil it or clean it. It has a low budget web girth with no elastic (for ease of tightening and comfort of your horse).

Just bad news all around.

Sorry, but I'm really anti-crappy saddles.

As for figuring out saddle size...a saddle is measured from the little metal pin on the pommel (front) to the center of the cantle (rear edge of seat). Kind of a diagonal line. Hold the tape measure tight, don't curve it with the seat. When seated, you should have about 4 fingers width behind your rear and the edge of the cantle. Kid's sizes are generally 13-15.75 inches and small adult in a 16 or 16.5, and adults in 17-18.

Also, horse's size (tree size) is just as important as (if not more than) the seat size. That saddle you listed only comes in one tree size (Wide) which obviously won't fit all horses!

Too good to be true. You get what you pay for.

*sighs* I figured. Most likely going to go with a kincade saddle and bridle.

Thanks guys.

I was very interested in that set............

I would recommend looking to spend at least 300 on a good saddle. You want the leather to last and me flexible for both you and your mount. You get what you put in. I got my English all purpose for around 300 second hand and it's lasted through the ages.

I went cheap and bought a synthetic earlier in my career and it fit very poorly and caused my horse a lot of pain. It's not all about it being cheap and convenient.

Take time and make sure it fits and will last the long haul.

Statelinetack.com is where I like to shop if you're still looking.

I would check out used saddles. Our local saddle maker (we are lucky to have them) has stacks and stacks of used english saddles. You might check around your area to see if there are any places that sell used tack with the new.

Currently, there is no place that sells used tack :( I am looking though.

Piece of junk. I'v seen such sets "alive" in Chick's and I must tell you they are bad. As suggested, better to look for used one.

BTW, generally I found out that horse.com products are pretty crappy. Used to order from them a lot for last couple years, but quality is low in most cases. So I switched to bit more expensive, but much nicer stores like jeffers.

Yeah, try to get a used one, or a more expensive one. ;)