Santa Fe Saddle Review

HalleysHorses1203 said:

Hello,

I recently purchased this saddle as an option to try on the morgan gelding im leasing. I needed a 16" seat with a single skirt (for his short back) and this one seemed to check all the boxes.

However, it is build on a fiberglass tree which Ive heard mixed reviews on.

Has anyone ever used a Santa Fe saddle that could let me know what they think?

View attachment 1140261 View attachment 1140261

Click to expand...

Is it a used saddle?

I dont care and have no use for a fiberglass tree, unless you are talking about a hand laid Fiberglass over a wooden tree made by a very well known saddle maker, then I would consider, but I prefer a traditional rawhide covered tree.

Do you mean the tree is a wooden tree that's been laminated or a tree made entirely of fiberglass?

Laminated trees work perfectly fine for lots of people but I wouldn't be so sure about a tree made entirely if fiber glass.

marymane said:

Do you mean the tree is a wooden tree that's been laminated or a tree made entirely of fiberglass?

Laminated trees work perfectly fine for lots of people but I wouldn't be so sure about a tree made entirely if fiber glass.

Click to expand...

Oh, I believe its fiberglass wrapped, would that be the same as laminated?

HalleysHorses1203 said:

Oh, I believe its fiberglass wrapped, would that be the same as laminated?

Click to expand...

As I understand it, most laminated trees are laminated with fiberglass. However, quality of tree depends on maker and materials used. If the description says fiberglass and nothing about laminated I'd be suspicious as no maker production or otherwise I've seen or heard of describes it as a plain fiberglass tree.

I'm wondering if they meant that the saddle has a Ralide tree. Is this a used saddle that you are looking at?

HalleysHorses1203 said:

Hello,

I recently purchased this saddle as an option to try on the morgan gelding im leasing. I needed a 16" seat with a single skirt (for his short back) and this one seemed to check all the boxes.

However, it is build on a fiberglass tree which Ive heard mixed reviews on.

Has anyone ever used a Santa Fe saddle that could let me know what they think?

View attachment 1140261 View attachment 1140261

Click to expand...

Is this a used saddle?

My Salty Pony said:

I'm wondering if they meant that the saddle has a Ralide tree. Is this a used saddle that you are looking at?

Click to expand...

horseDIY said:

Is this a used saddle?

Click to expand...

This saddle is new!

HalleysHorses1203 said:

This saddle is new!

Click to expand...

if itś new and only 400 dollars that seems like a huge red flag. Itś probably low quality. If you're wanting to get a saddle get a better quality saddle because itś worth it in the long run.

horseDIY said:

if itś new and only 400 dollars that seems like a huge red flag. Itś probably low quality. If you're wanting to get a saddle get a better quality saddle because itś worth it in the long run.

Click to expand...

I cant find anything around the same price range that has everything I need.

What is it that you need?

Also, I tried looking up the saddle and I can't find anywhere it mentions what exact type of tree it has in it.

It looks like this is a very cheaply made, factory saddle made for to be bought wholesale for other places to sell. I've never heard of whoever makes it or seen them mentioned either. If you're on a budget it's generally best to buy used rather than new as you get more for you money.

I’d try to get a used one (good quality and good brand name) I went to a high end tack auction once and got this brand new barrel racing saddle, i didn’t even go there for it but it was actually a really nice saddle and I got it for $300 because it was hot pink and had zebra stripes on it, no one else bided on it except for one dude and he probably felt embarrassed bidding on it, lollll anyway, I talked to the tack store owner who put it in the auction afterwards and he said I was lucky for getting it that low, it was worth a tonnn more, it lasted me 8yrs! I finally got rid of it the other day, I was sick of pink.
So I suggest getting it used or going to a tack auction or something, I wouldnt get cheap ones, it’s not worth it!!

I think, if you now own it and can't send it back, and it seems to fit your horse, you can try using it. But watch it like a hawk. Check the underside for any sharp points that can be felt through the fleece. Watch the tree for any asymmetry or if you feel any shifting or signs of cracks that shouldn't be there. Sometimes people can luck out with cheap and cheerful. Maybe it will be okay. Don't put it through very hard use. And in the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for anything good quality, but used, that might work for you.