I was wondering what would be better to buy. A used saddle or a new one. I want a cheep but a nice saddle as well. What brand of saddle is the best? I'm new to this so I don't know witch saddle is the best to buy. Alsowith the bridle too.

Thanks,

Horse Crazy,

-- Bri (Bodaciousshowhorse@myexcel.com), August 08, 2001

Answers

You need to know what kind of saddle you want first, roping, trail, barrel, etc. Then look at new ones to see which brands fit well with you and to find out what size seat you are looking for (14" - 16" usually). After you have found a couple of brands that are comfortable for you, look at used saddles from reputable sources, like people you know or a good saddle shop or western shop. You will find that usually you can buy a used saddle for about 1/2 the price of a new one.

I bought my daughter her Circle Y NBHA barrel saddle that had been used only a year for $450 versus almost $1000 for a new one and it looked brand new. We have bought only one brand new saddle and that was a present from my husband to me. Otherwise all of our saddles (7 of them) have been purchased used. We are lucky to have a wonderful woman running a western / saddle shop near us and she won't sell a used saddle that is in bad shape or has a cracked or broken tree (sometimes hard to tell) and she puts new girths and replaces any other parts that are badly worn.

Around here Circle Y and Hereford are popular brands and we own both and like them.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), August 08, 2001.

English, Western, or Endurance saddle??? English and Endurance saddles, if they are made in England or Germany, last literally forever, if properly taken care of, I have a Steubben that is over 25 years old and in wonderful shape, and it has many, many miles on it.

Do not buy any saddle made in South America or India, they use cheap "belly" leather, and will not last, not even a year! You get what you pay for in fine leather saddles.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), August 08, 2001.

I noticed you both asked what kind of Saddle I want. I want one that I can use for hunt seat.

Horse Crazy, Bri.

-- Bri (Bodaciousshowhorse@myexcel.com), August 08, 2001.

Even though you want huntseat (which I don't know a whole lot about) you still need to know something about what size. My daughter has an English saddle and luckily it was just the right size for her.

Anne has some excellent advise about brands (we lucked into an Australian made English saddle that is obviously old but still very serviceable for my daughter's needs right now).

Check out the English tack stores around you for used saddles and good advise.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), August 08, 2001.

I have bought my saddles both new and used. First word of advice is Try to get the best saddle you can afford new or used> I bought an aussise saddle from Aussie saddle company and it was great new, comfortable from the get go. I bought one from county supply and it still is not broken in( and I have used a lot of neatsfoot oil)I bought a close contact saddle 14 years ago used and it is the bst saddle for me. Thye bridle I would reccomend new and nylon unless you get into showing then you will need a leather one for that

-- Ginger (majic99@home.com), August 09, 2001.

The best saddle is one that fits both you and your mount. You want the saddle to fit your mount well, one that doesn't have to be mickey moused with pads. If you look at used saddles, you should take someone with you who knows what they're looking at. You have to be careful of broken trees. In fact, since you are new, you should take someone knowledgeable with you to look at ANY saddle.

I've taken my mount to the saddle shop, since the owner is very knowledgeable and will fit the saddle to the mount. And then he makes sure it fits the human.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), August 09, 2001.

Here is a second vote on having your saddle fitted to your horse. Too many people over look that when buying. Just for fun you may want to get a State Line Tack catalogue or go to www.statelinetack.com a good "english" tack and apparel source.

-- Nancy Bakke-McGonigle MN. Sunset (dmcgonig@smig.net), August 09, 2001.

I have been getting State Line Tack and I like their Saddles. But I'm only 14 and I have to be pay for my horses training next year and all of the other stuff that adds up with showing and the saddle and stuff. So I'm ltd on the price of the saddle. Any good but cheep brands out there?

-- Bri (Bodaciousshowhorse@myexcel.com), August 09, 2001.