putting a good saddle on a young horse - when?

I've started my 2 year old under saddle..... I have done tons of ground work with him and have been on him bareback half a dozen times riding him around.

I've had the saddle on him about 8 times now. He's walked, trotted and cantered with it on 4 or 5 f those times and only really reacted the first time I had him canter. But he just rounded his back - not even a buck.

I've put my weight in the stirrups and layed across the saddle and have had it cinched up as much as I would if I was riding.

Just wondering when you guys would start putting your good saddles on your young horses. I am using a really old saddle that I just don't feel very good riding in.

Do you think I've had the saddle on enough to trust the horse with a good saddle? How long do you usually wait. This horse is better then most broke horses with the saddle and tacking up etc..... Should I be waiting for him to freak out or is it just toon soon?

Depends on how you define "good saddle" LOL. I start every single youngster in my good saddle, but it's a $700 ranch saddle. If my good saddle was a $4000 show saddle, then it wouldn't see a horse if there was even the slightest chance of the horse throwing a fit and causing a scratch.

If I didn't have a working quality saddle that I felt comfortable in, I would get one. IME, that's one of the quickest ways to mediocre riding is to ride in a saddle that doesn't fit you or isn't comfortable.

Well it's a very nice, but older used saddle with some wear, but it's still valued at $2800.00 I just found out.

I do agree with you I need a saddle that fits and that is comfy for me to ride in.

Thanks for the help

Personally, I have never owned a $2,800 saddle. I think if I had a $2800 saddle I would sell it and buy a really nice used saddle that has only been used a few times and an older but sturdy saddle to train with and probably have $$ left over.

Hi AQHA,
I put a kids pony saddle on my young horses for the first time or two. It's light enough I can lift it easily with one hand and move it around. When I am thinking of crawling on I'll put my good saddle on. The last thing I want to do is ride a colt for the first time in a saddle I am not used to (feel secure in) or that doesn't fit me. I have a custom made saddle that fits me well and most of the horses I ride. So basically, when I am ready to ride I change from the pony saddle to my good one.
Rod

If I had a saddle worth that much I would wait till it was very broke, to use that saddle. I always use my good saddle on every horse from 1st ride to last. But it is only a $700 saddle. And it is built very heavy and can handle alot.