barrel saddles

I have a Circle Y on Magic that I absolutely love, and it's over 15 years old (I bought it used, and asked Circle Y about the saddle when looking for a matching headstall; they said that by the serial number, it's 15+ years old) and still in great condition. On Tanner I have an American Saddlery saddle, and though I haven't gotten to ride her on barrels in it yet, I find it well-built and comfortable... and most important, it fit's her crazy-high withers!
Personally, I prefer a square skirt... round skirted saddles, to me, make the saddle look small, like you're putting a pony saddle on a draft horse.

Ah, okay. I guess It's good to stick with mine unless I seriously want to barrel all the time. But a few playdays here and there, and a few rodeos, I don't see a purpose. But if you are really into it, then getting a good one would be well worth your money.

I love my Martha Josey barrel saddle by Circle Y they are expensive (the brand new ones) but they are sooo worth it.

I have a couple of barrel saddles for myself and also a few my boss uses at the stable. I have two Circle Y's and a Wintec that I absolutely adore, and my boss has all Circle Y's. I generally don't use my Wintec for competition however, I use it for starting and/or practicing because it is getting old and isn't in as good of shape as it used to be. :)

I barrel raced pretty seriously and quality saddle and fit was BEYOND important to me. After trying a few saddles on my muscle-y, high withered appendix I ended up with a Black Rhino with their About the Horse tree. They have shoulder flare which allowed my gelding to really stretch out and move. These saddles are relatively rare and pretty sought after. They are all custom. I bought mine used and theyre running about $1500-2000 used. Beautiful and amazing quality. NEVER sored up my always sore horse. Square skirted.

I also had a super nice Carl Ammerman barrel saddle with wide bars for my thick mare. BEAUTIFUL saddle with AMAZING quality. (I'm totally sold on Ammemans now...) I bought it used and sold it used for about $1500. Square skirted also.

Neither of these were the lightest barrel saddles on the market but I always figured that comfort and freedom of movement for horse and rider, along with quality, was FAR more important. If (max) 10lbs is important to you, lose the weight yourself. Most of us could probably stand to.

i personally like Billy cooks and circle y's the only real differance is that the horn is taller and skinnier but other then that the weight would be it