I recently bought the Big Dee's Saddle Package, so here is my impression.
For some reason when I ordered it, my choices didnt go through. I found out when I contacted them asking to verify that I had selected the right sizes. Turns out they didnt get any sizes at all, so I had to email them my choices. I have a feeling that if I hadnt of contacted them, it would of turned into a big mess.
Now, this set smells. Not bad, but not good. It smells like leather, but in a weird way. I believe it is partly because it's "starter" set quality, so it's not high-end leather, and partly because of the cleaner/conditioner they used on the leather. Hopefully this smell will go away once I condition it later tonight. It just smells weird.
The quality is decent. It's not horrible, like most starter sets. The leather doesnt feel fake, nor does it look fake. It's pretty sturdy, and I dont think any part of it would give out or snap during riding, at all. The leather seems pretty heavy duty and thick. The reason I bought this set is because with the possibility of me buying a horse in a couple months, I cant go buying $70-$80 bridles or girths, when it probably wont fit my new horse. I bought this set for the horse I show on for this season. Keep in mind this set only costs $50, so it was very cost effective for me. It includes a bridle, bit, reins, girht, stirrups, stirrup leathers, and a saddle pad.
The Bridle:
It's alright. It's surprisingly decent for being so cheap. The leather is thick, and not too stiff. Right now it's a little bent out of shape, since it was squished in a box, but I gave it a good, long, hard tug, and I feel as though it wouldnt give if my horse and I were fighting (of course, who would want that, but you have to keep these things in mind). The buckles are in good shape, and the stitching is even, and there are no errors. The throat latch and nose band slide easily into their keepers.
The Girth:
Very nice. I like it a lot. Its supple, a nice color, and the stitching is in great shape. It's not stiff, and I feel it will conform to my horse nicely. I wish the brown wasnt AS dark, but I like it nonetheless. It has roller buckles, which is awesome. I dislike the green/grey elastic :P I have a feeling the leather has cushioning in the middle, as it's a little squishy.
The Saddle Pad:
Quite nice. It's cushioning and is of decent quality. A little on the big side, but that may be an illusion, since I dont have it on a horse, under a saddle, yet. I will probably be using this as my show saddle pad. It has billet and girth keepers.
Stirrups:
Heavy. Very heavy. Theyre just regular ole stirrups. Nothing special about them really.
Leathers:
Sturdy. They dont feel like they're break under tension, and feel like they will take a beating well, and survive. A little stiff, but that's expected. They only come in 54" length.
Reins:
Meh, theyre alright. They're braided, which is a plus, but these feel of the least quality wise. Ill have to condition them to tell how I feel about them.
Bit:
It's your regular single joint snaffle bit, O-ring. It feels very big though. Maybe that's because I use d-rings, but I dont know. I ordered the 5". I will probably not use this one, only because we use a D-ring. Ill see if my trainer wants it, or I may save it. Who knows, maybe the horse I get goes in one.
All in all, it's a decent starter set. My favorite part is the girth. The quality is just so nice(the leather). I love it. Im really pleased that the set is not crap, and I will be conditioning it tonight, so I will try to post how they feel afterwards, as well as a follow-up tomorrow if I try them out. We will see if they are true to size, and how they hold up!
I have more pictures, but Ive exceeded my limit! If you want any other ones, feel free to ask and Ill post them. Please excuse the messy room :] We are in the process of moving!! (YAY)
For some reason when I ordered it, my choices didnt go through. I found out when I contacted them asking to verify that I had selected the right sizes. Turns out they didnt get any sizes at all, so I had to email them my choices. I have a feeling that if I hadnt of contacted them, it would of turned into a big mess.
Now, this set smells. Not bad, but not good. It smells like leather, but in a weird way. I believe it is partly because it's "starter" set quality, so it's not high-end leather, and partly because of the cleaner/conditioner they used on the leather. Hopefully this smell will go away once I condition it later tonight. It just smells weird.
The quality is decent. It's not horrible, like most starter sets. The leather doesnt feel fake, nor does it look fake. It's pretty sturdy, and I dont think any part of it would give out or snap during riding, at all. The leather seems pretty heavy duty and thick. The reason I bought this set is because with the possibility of me buying a horse in a couple months, I cant go buying $70-$80 bridles or girths, when it probably wont fit my new horse. I bought this set for the horse I show on for this season. Keep in mind this set only costs $50, so it was very cost effective for me. It includes a bridle, bit, reins, girht, stirrups, stirrup leathers, and a saddle pad.
The Bridle:
It's alright. It's surprisingly decent for being so cheap. The leather is thick, and not too stiff. Right now it's a little bent out of shape, since it was squished in a box, but I gave it a good, long, hard tug, and I feel as though it wouldnt give if my horse and I were fighting (of course, who would want that, but you have to keep these things in mind). The buckles are in good shape, and the stitching is even, and there are no errors. The throat latch and nose band slide easily into their keepers.
The Girth:
Very nice. I like it a lot. Its supple, a nice color, and the stitching is in great shape. It's not stiff, and I feel it will conform to my horse nicely. I wish the brown wasnt AS dark, but I like it nonetheless. It has roller buckles, which is awesome. I dislike the green/grey elastic :P I have a feeling the leather has cushioning in the middle, as it's a little squishy.
The Saddle Pad:
Quite nice. It's cushioning and is of decent quality. A little on the big side, but that may be an illusion, since I dont have it on a horse, under a saddle, yet. I will probably be using this as my show saddle pad. It has billet and girth keepers.
Stirrups:
Heavy. Very heavy. Theyre just regular ole stirrups. Nothing special about them really.
Leathers:
Sturdy. They dont feel like they're break under tension, and feel like they will take a beating well, and survive. A little stiff, but that's expected. They only come in 54" length.
Reins:
Meh, theyre alright. They're braided, which is a plus, but these feel of the least quality wise. Ill have to condition them to tell how I feel about them.
Bit:
It's your regular single joint snaffle bit, O-ring. It feels very big though. Maybe that's because I use d-rings, but I dont know. I ordered the 5". I will probably not use this one, only because we use a D-ring. Ill see if my trainer wants it, or I may save it. Who knows, maybe the horse I get goes in one.
All in all, it's a decent starter set. My favorite part is the girth. The quality is just so nice(the leather). I love it. Im really pleased that the set is not crap, and I will be conditioning it tonight, so I will try to post how they feel afterwards, as well as a follow-up tomorrow if I try them out. We will see if they are true to size, and how they hold up!
I have more pictures, but Ive exceeded my limit! If you want any other ones, feel free to ask and Ill post them. Please excuse the messy room :] We are in the process of moving!! (YAY)