Endurance saddle for the trail.. help?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Treeless-Enduran...item3368f34b08

(Just picked one of the many listed on ebay.)

It's a nice style and it's exactly what I am looking for. It has two compartments, one in the front and one in the back. It seems like those would be very comfortable and it seems like the reviews confirm that. However I can't find one that is even relatively close to this that is also at least a descent quality for the horse and me. (This is only read from reviews though.)

All I do is trail ride and plan on going for endurance rides locally.(Maybe.) I want a saddle I can use frequently and it won't cause issues with the horse or with me. I just don't want to spend out the wahzoo for it. I only plan on spending MAYBE 200 dollars.

Any opinions? Any help with finding a saddle similar?

Umm... unless your best friend in the world is going to sell you a saddle very cheaply, I doubt you are going to find anything quality for that price.

If it's something you are going to be using frequently, you are better off saving up and getting a quality saddle that fits both you and your horse.

Additionally, if you go the treeless route, the pad you choose to go under the saddle is extremely important. A good pad for a treeless saddle alone is more than you are willing to spend on the whole deal.

Well, I don't think this saddle would last me 30-40 years but I would like to find one that will at least last me 5. I just don't want to get a saddle that will fall apart the year I get it. I haven't found any that is in that style that costs any more then 250. I just don't know what to look for in these saddles.. or any saddle really.

The saddle that you linked, to me, looks like a knock-off torsion treeless saddle. I have seen used torsions go for about $700. New I think they are closer to $1500.

The hard part is finding a saddle that fits your horse--even a treeless saddle doesn't necessarily fit every horse. I suspect that ebay saddle would fall apart within a year if you rode in it seriously.

There is a yahoo group about treeless saddles (treelesssaddles : treeless saddle discussion) that has a wealth of information.

I have to look up those saddles. I really like the pockets this one provides but I don't want to spend that 200 if it will just fall apart.

Thank you for the link. I will definitely be looking at all the information!

Sorry Stakie, I have to agree with phantom. You really need a quality saddle and that does not have to do with how long it will last. It is about how well it fits your horse and how well it is made. A cheap saddle can last a long time, but if it is not made properly, it will cause soars and damage to your horses muscles and nerves.

I would not recommending buying a saddle that you have not tried on your horse first. You could not pay me to put the saddle that you linked to on my horse. Not a comment on you, more on the people who make those cheap saddles without regard to the horses well being.

I don't want to hurt my horse. It's actually one of the reasons I want to try this treeless design. However I can't tell the difference between a cheapish and something descent.

I know I will never be able to spend 700 on a saddle. Maybe, 400? However that would make more then just a couple months! Lol

The style on that saddle is what I want. I need the padding not only for Ziggy but for me. I can't ride on a stiff saddle. IT MUST have cushion or I am unable to ride. This seems like a great fit. The pockets are a major plus since I don't really want to put a lot of extras on the saddle. If it has it built in.. it makes me VERY happy.

I have looked up barefoot and torison. Found that barefoot goes for 500 used around here, nothing on the other though. Any other saddles similar to these? Of descent quality?

I do understand your dilemma. Saddles are expensive. Unfortunately, if they are cheap in price, they are usually cheap in design. Do you have a tack shop near you that sells endurance saddles? Not to buy, but to look and compare and even pick the brains of the people who work there.

In your price range the only saddle I can think to recommend would be an Abetta. They are still hit or miss on fit, but I think of some what better quality then a knock off or no name. I don't think that they have the built ins.

There are a lot of endurance riders on this site so I hope they step up with some good suggestions for you.

I really appreciate your input and help. I am going to another Tack shop on thursday to see if I can find a used one and maybe some more help on the matter.

Hopefully though more riders can give me suggestions because I am as cluless as can be on the matter.

I hope you find something. Saddle shopping can be fun and also extremely frustrating.