Saddles

Just out of curiousity what brand of saddle is everyone using??

I have:

2 Westren Rawhides (I swear by this saddle for any working class)
1 Rocky Mountian Saddlery which is a very well made local brand. Great saddle.
1 Circle Y, I really hate this saddle. I don't think they are that sturdy. But a very good looking saddle. I use this saddle to start the colts.
1 Big horn. Very nice pleasure saddle. Very comfortable!

I just got a crates last november. It is beautiful...I love it.

We also have several really good quality barrel saddles that we have accumulated over the years, but I really could not tell you the brands. :( They do come in really handy for my lesson kids though, because they have such a secure seat, and the stirrups are very adjustable. :)

I have a Simco Arab saddle and a Circle Y trail saddle. My sis-in-law has a Simco trail saddle. All were purchased off ebay (I'm an addict ).

I really like the older Simcos but the newer ones don't seem to be as well made.

I like my Circle Y because it has a wide gullet and a true full quarter horse bar. My big tank of a QH really needs it!

We have:
3 Don West gaited horse saddles 1 I got used on ebay, 1 I custom ordered and 1 my husband just custom ordered. They are the ones we use the most.
1 Big Horn endurance saddle They are comfy aren't they!
2 Abetta endurance saddles (1 on loan to my preganant farrier)
1 cheapy Australian gathering dust in the hay barn.

I love Circle Y saddles...

quick western saddle question. how do you go buy a saddle. I understand the seat fit, but what about to fit the horses back. also is there a western saddle for just about everything.

JDI-That's alright I wasn't saying that you shouldn't like them. I don't like mine. I mean it's a great trail/training saddle. But it's just not a real sturdy saddle. I find the leather on mine is rather thin.

Tiffany (BTW I have the same name ) Yeah they make a saddle for almost every westren event...reining, cutting, penning, barrel racing, plasure, etc.

I got Alamo pleasure saddle last Fall. It has qh bars (unlike semi-qh lots of synthetic have) so fit my qh, and high pommel, so it doesn't sit on my paint withers (that's what I was looking for for quite a bit). Very comfy to sit in (I tried something like 15-20 (at least, I'm very picky ) different models/brands including other models of Alamo before deciding on one). I also really liked Bill Cook saddle (would be my 2nd choice).

BTW, I too wasn't very impressed about Circle Y even though everyone around talks about it. It's OK, but nothing to die for. JD, it's just matter of taste! :)

As far as saddle fit there is QH, full QH, semi QH, mule, arabian, draft, gaited bars. There are all different tree sizes for fit.
Most western saddles are QH or semi QH bars unless you get into the custom or higher end saddles.

I personally find Circle Y the best.

The Circle S saddles are hilarious.