[Horsecrazy4ever]

Hi, I have always ridden western and bareback but would LOVE to try english..

I ride just for fun and do trails ( no jumping )

My horse is a 14.1hh QH gelding that is 2 and 1/2 years old.

MY QUESTION: How do I find a saddle to fit my horse and me?

--> Where do I buy one? Craigslist? ebay?

I can't spend more then $100 ( I am only 14 years old )

Please give me your opinions and tips. All GREATLY appreciated

p.s. My horse is ridden in a reg. snaffle(western style)- I don't have to change my western bridle to english if I ride in a english saddle... do I?

 

[mselizabeth]

If you don't plan on showing, nope you don't have to change anything.

I got my saddle on craigslist for 300. But I don't know about finding one for 100 bucks.

If you have friends that ride english, ask around. A lot of times they'll have old saddles they need to sell.

And for sizing, i'd assume (guessing your age) that a 17inch would be the best fit saddle. (I'm 17 and ride in an 18 inch.) If your horse has average or skinny withers, find something with an average tree. If your horse has broad withers, go with a wide tree saddle.

You will also need a girth. (the western chinch wont work.)
For that, measure your pony once you get your saddle.

Hope this helps
Good luck!

 

[Horsecrazy4ever]

If you don't plan on showing, nope you don't have to change anything.

I got my saddle on craigslist for 300. But I don't know about finding one for 100 bucks.

If you have friends that ride english, ask around. A lot of times they'll have old saddles they need to sell.

And for sizing, i'd assume (guessing your age) that a 17inch would be the best fit saddle. (I'm 17 and ride in an 18 inch.) If your horse has average or skinny withers, find something with an average tree. If your horse has broad withers, go with a wide tree saddle.

You will also need a girth. (the western chinch wont work.)
For that, measure your pony once you get your saddle.

Hope this helps
Good luck!

Thanks for the tips! Greatly appreciated

 

[twh]

Supposedly, your English saddle should be 2" longer than your Western saddle. If you ride in a 15" W saddle, you should look at a 17" E saddle.

Unless you're showing, you can use whatever bridle and bit you want.

As for saddle fit, what kind of W saddle are you riding him in?
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[Horsecrazy4ever]

Well I just got my horse this week so I haven't had a chance to find a Western saddle that fits him(I have lots,just have to put them on him and see which works best)

Is a Synthetic english saddle any good?

 

[twh]

Oh, like a Wintec? It's really a matter of preference --- go sit in a synthetic saddle, and see what you think.

I will warn you, though, that for $100 I would not expect to find a very good saddle.
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[mselizabeth]

Well I just got my horse this week so I haven't had a chance to find a Western saddle that fits him(I have lots,just have to put them on him and see which works best)

Is a Synthetic english saddle any good?

Have you ridden him yet at all?

You said your horse is a two year old? I wouldn't try english with him untill he is a bit older (like four or so) and you've taken formal lessons. English is a whole different ball game than western. I've known people who rode western for years and years. And they could ride any horse. The second they rode in an english saddle, they fell and hurt themselves. English is all about muscle strength, and without it, hitting the ground is a promise. Especially on a two year old.

Maybe try riding english on another, better trained horse. And with people you know (or better, an instructor).

Just keep your safetly in mind hun.

As for synthetic, for a first saddle. It's great. Little to no care required. However, if you get serious about english someday and want to show. You bet you'll need a real one. But for now, synthetic stuff is great. Especially since your still growing and will most likely need a new size in a couple years.

I was in a 17 inch at your age. Now I ride in a 18/19 inch.


Hope this helps.

 

[Horsecrazy4ever]

mselizabeth::::Yes, I have ridden him.. He has had all summer put on him and is very quiet(never bucked or reared when being broke) He is 2 years old and 7 months.

I ride Western but ride bareback the most.. What uses more muscles, bareback or English?

After reading what you said, I think I will wait until I ride a more experienced horse in English..with a experienced person to instruct me.

When I do get a English saddle, I will start with a synthetic saddle =)

Thanks for the tips and advice

 

[mselizabeth]

mselizabeth::::Yes, I have ridden him.. He has had all summer put on him and is very quiet(never bucked or reared when being broke) He is 2 years old and 7 months.

I ride Western but ride bareback the most.. What uses more muscles, bareback or English?

After reading what you said, I think I will wait until I ride a more experienced horse in English..with a experienced person to instruct me.

When I do get a English saddle, I will start with a synthetic saddle =)

Thanks for the tips and advice

It depends what you do bareback. But unless you post, I would say english.
That's great that he's so calm. I've never ridden a calm 2 year old. haha.

My 11 year old is a complete nut case.

Good luck

 

[Horsecrazy4ever]

It depends what you do bareback. But unless you post, I would say english.
That's great that he's so calm. I've never ridden a calm 2 year old. haha.

My 11 year old is a complete nut case.

Good luck

Yes, I have posted bareback.. I think it is lots of fun =)

I was very reluctant to look at such a young horse but wow was I surprised... I didn't know they were made like that calm at that young of age- lol

Thanks!

 

[DancingWithSunny]

And for sizing, i'd assume (guessing your age) that a 17inch would be the best fit saddle. (I'm 17 and ride in an 18 inch.)
Good luck!

I don't think you can go on age for this, I'm 21 this month and I ride in a 15.5inch, my 19 year old friend and my 46year old dad ride in 16.5 inches.

 

[franknbeans]

I don't think you can go on age for this, I'm 21 this month and I ride in a 15.5inch, my 19 year old friend and my 46year old dad ride in 16.5 inches.

Definitely agree. Depends greatly on your size. I have never known anyone to use an english saddle that is 18-19 inches! (perhaps some large men who field hunt?) Most range from 15.5-17. Perhaps you are measuring wrong?

OP-remember that you, as well as your horse are still growing and changing. You would be better off borrowing if at all possible.

 

[Kayty]

Finding a decent saddle for under $100 is going to be a huge push, and I would highly doubt that a saddle in this price bracket will be a)useable - broken trees are more common than you'd think! and b) a suitable fit for your horse and c) a suitable fit for you.

There are also a number of different types of english saddles. Dressage, general/all purpose and jumping are the main 3. No one saddle will suit every rider or horse, I hate one saddle and my friend loves it. One saddle gives me such bad cramping in my hips that I've got off almost throwing up after 15mins, while the next person can ride for hours.

English does require a degree of muscular strength - english saddles don't 'lock you in' like a western saddle does, but it's not a matter of gripping on and riding like a tin soldier. The strength comes from your core muscles

Good luck!

 

[Horsecrazy4ever]

Thanks everyone for your advice! I ride barback all the time and post bareback too..Don't you think that uses a lot of core muscles? I know that there is lots of diffrent saddles out there and it will take time to find the correct one for my horse and I. Thanks again for all the advice. =)

p.s. Kayty: I love your avatar. It is so cute!

 

[lilkitty90]

i have a saddle i'd let you have for about 50 bucks. however it is NOT that nice. the knee rolls are a bit crunchy lol and there are a few spots that have stitching comming out. however it is very useable. i paid 100 dollars for the darned thing and it is to wide of a tree for my horses.

 

[Horsecrazy4ever]

i have a saddle i'd let you have for about 50 bucks. however it is NOT that nice. the knee rolls are a bit crunchy lol and there are a few spots that have stitching comming out. however it is very useable. i paid 100 dollars for the darned thing and it is to wide of a tree for my horses.

How tall/big is your horse that uses it?

 

[lilkitty90]

she needs a narrow tree. one that is about 5 inches. and this one is about 7 inches : / she is 14.2 hands. and about 900 pounds. so she is a small horse. just the saddle isn't small enough. and it's an A/P saddle with no brand. i'll be honest. i bought it from an untrustworthy gal who told me it was a wintec.

 

[mselizabeth]

I don't think you can go on age for this, I'm 21 this month and I ride in a 15.5inch, my 19 year old friend and my 46year old dad ride in 16.5 inches.

What kind of saddle? I ride in a close-contact. An all purpose or definatly dressage will run much larger. My 90lb friend rides in a 17". That's the norm here for close contact saddles.

Cause I'm definatly not a large hunt man (as stated above).
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[mselizabeth]

How tall/big is your horse that uses it?

Maybe you could take a couple pictures of your horse's withers? And post them.
A side view and a view from above.

So we can try and help you with the tree size. Generally speaking though, a horse that young will almost always use a regular. He won't be completely filled-out untill he's about 7 or so.
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[Horsecrazy4ever]

Sure, I will take few pics of his withers from side and above.. He is 14.1H tall right now but should mature to 15.1H .. Will post them later today. Thanks everyone for all your help