Horse Saddle Help

[maps]

Hi all

Hoping someone can help me out. I'm looking for a saddle for my daughter's horse for Christmas. I'd like to spend around $500 or so. I've been looking on craigslist and ebay and going to local tack shops without much luck.

Any other suggestions? It's a 15h TB mare. Thanks!

 

[Magic Mom]

english or western?

 

[chyam]

Just google horse supplies or horse catalogs....friends of mine have used Valley Vet Supply and Outfitters Supply but there are tons of other ones, it would also depend on english or western.

 

[maps]

Sorry, I should have included--english. Beginner-intermediate rider looking to jump. I found a Beval Princeton for $650 but I'm hoping for a sale at our local tack shop before Christmas.

 

[Magic Mom]

Before you buy, check with her instructor to see what kind of saddle she is riding in now. Is it an all purpose saddle or a jumping saddle. Is it close contact? Does it have suede knee rolls. You don't want to get her something she isn't used to riding on.

Also, instead of a new medium quality saddle, think about buying a used nicer saddle.

Another question to ask your trainer/instructor is what tree size your horse needs. Ideally we would all have our horse's saddles professionally fitted, but that's not always possible, so getting the advice of your trainer is the next best option. An ill fitting saddle can at least irritate your horse and at worse injure him.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Maybe at State Line Tack. (sp?)

 

[monkeyboy]

Hmm English is tough.
Google Tack shops

Good luck

 

[bballmom56]

Magic Mom is repeating what Jennasis and I have told you. You could be wasting your money buying one without the trainer being able to see if the saddle fits the horse and rider well. And as I had mentioned, used is the way to go.

 

[mrsv98]

Magic Mom is repeating what Jennasis and I have told you. You could be wasting your money buying one without the trainer being able to see if the saddle fits the horse and rider well. And as I had mentioned, used is the way to go.

Yes, when we bought DD's saddle, her trainer came with us to the resale shop and helped us find one. We really lucked out and found a nice one that fit her well. It really made a tremendous difference in her riding.

Also, it isn't just the kind of saddle and type of horse, but the size and where your DD's leg hits. While it would be nice to surprise her for Christmas, she really needs to be there. We bought DD's saddle in November and for Christmas we got her all sorts of accessories. A nice brass name plate, a cover, etc.

Good luck!

 

[Magic Mom]

We also bought used. I looked on Ebay and there were several used good quality saddles.

OP don't forget the irons (peacock is best for a novice jumper) and the leathers. Good quality leathers really make a difference IMO.

 

[maps]

Thanks for the suggestions. Our trainer so far has been of minimal assistance other than telling us what brands she likes or doesn't like. We'll be getting a new one in a couple of weeks that may be of more help.

I have narrowed my choices to a few and plan on going to our local tack shop to have my daughter try them out and then they'll let me try the ones we like on her horse.

i just wasn't sure if there may be some brands that people prefer over others and could give me some suggestions for ones that they recommend.

I've been at horsetackreview.com which has been helpful.

Thanks again.

 

[dis-happy]

Maybe at State Line Tack. (sp?)

We found my dd's saddle from State Line Tack a few years ago. At the time it was nice because you could order and return to Pet Smart as needed. However, that affiliation has since ended.

Her saddle was a Henri di Rival, not a bad saddle for the price (around $700.), and it fit both her and her horse well. Our trainer had final say in the matter so hopefully your new trainer will help you more.

 

[Jennasis]

Hey maps!

If your trainer isn't helping you find and fit a saddle (A..fire her! hehee...seriously. That's a huge red flag in my professional book) then you can always consult the owner of your local tack shop. Explain to her your budget (at $500 you'll be looking at the used saddles but you can for sure find a great used one for that or less), and then see if she does fittings or can recommend someone in your area who does.

Remember...fit the horse first, rider second.

The Beval saddles are FANTASTIC and if the one you mentioned fits your horse and DD, then snap that baby up!

The stateline Tack saddles (the Kincaids) are garbage. I know. There's one gathering dust in my tack room because it fits no horse and no rider, and puts the rider in a very chair seat position. Blech.

One of my students was test riding a horse she was considering and the horse had on a Circuit Elite saddle (the brand name that DOver Saddlery has), and she loved it. Said it was very much like the $3k Butet one of my other students rides in. Brand new they are $700ish.

I enevitably get a few parents each holiday season in your position, asking me what saddle to get their kid for Christmas. I always say, buy them a gift certificate to the tack shop or to Dover Saddlery for the amount you want to spend on a saddle...then take the kid shopping after the holiday to find one that fits.

 

[maps]

OK,so I will take the Kincade off my list (that was the kind of help I was looking for!).

The other ones on my list include a wintec and collegiate. Any thoughts on those?

I think I will most likely go with the Beval since I have read so many positive reviews on them. The Princeton seems to be in my price range. Just trying to keep all my options open.

Any other ones I should stay away from? Thanks so much.

 

[Jennasis]

OK,so I will take the Kincade off my list (that was the kind of help I was looking for!).

The other ones on my list include a wintec and collegiate. Any thoughts on those?

I think I will most likely go with the Beval since I have read so many positive reviews on them. The Princeton seems to be in my price range. Just trying to keep all my options open.

Any other ones I should stay away from? Thanks so much.

HOnestly I love the Collegiates. They are generally a nice mid-range starter saddle. I ride in a collegiate Senior Event (17.5" medium tree). I LOVE my saddle but my trainer didn't like riding in it (she was a dressage trainer and I was riding hunt seat). It's very comfortable. I know a few students have the close contact Collegiates and I've been happy with them.

But a top of the line Collegiate will never beat a "bottom of the line" Beval.

Wintecs are great for lessons and trail riding. If your DD is planning to show ever, I'd skip a Wintec.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I had a Collegiate Classic Dressage saddle for my mare - was the only one I could get to fit her. I loved it. It's still up in the barn gathering dust and I don't want to part with it, even though the horse has been gone for almost 4 years.

I never owned a Wintec myself but the general consensus with my "horsey" friends is that you either love them or hate them. I'd try one out before I spent money on it.

 

[kehlyrsmom]

What size seat does she need. I have a 16" Avante Blue Ribbon close contact saddle that is in really good condition. it is a medium tree. Avante saddles are no longer made but they are made in England. I bought it on Ebay a couple of years ago for my daughter but she never road in it, and now she is the same height/weight as me and can now ride in my saddle. It has some use from the previuos owner I was told it was their daughters show saddle it is still in very good shape.

I also bought another Avante saddle on ebay at the same time in a 17" but it has more of a narrow possibly narrow medium tree. It does not appear that it was ever used. It was sold as a medium tree but it does not fit either of my horses, I have never even sat on it.

I have been meaning to put both up on e-bay and just have not done so. I was thinking of around the $250 - $350 range for either of them.

 

[locolala]

I have an old Crosby Prix de World that I absolutely LOVE. I've had it since I was 13 and it is hands down the best saddle I've ever ridden in. We got it used at a consignment tack store, you might look and see if you have one of those around.

 

[Jennasis]

Just got back from a horse show this afternoon (jumpers...fun!) and stopped in the on-property tack shop to see what they had. A REALLY nice used Crosby Equilibrium. In fantastic shape, broken in...Mmmmmmm. WITH all the fittings too. 18" (just right for my big booty).

$800.

Maybe I'll ask the shop owner if I can take it for a test run to see if it fits my Appendix.

 

[lynn_s]

Hey maps!

If your trainer isn't helping you find and fit a saddle (A..fire her! hehee...seriously. That's a huge red flag in my professional book) then you can always consult the owner of your local tack shop. Explain to her your budget (at $500 you'll be looking at the used saddles but you can for sure find a great used one for that or less), and then see if she does fittings or can recommend someone in your area who does.

I'm going to second this one! Any instructor/trainer worth their salt is going to be concerned about saddle fit (for both horse and rider!), and should be able and willing to help evaluate one.

Don't get hung up on brand - the best saddle I ever had I bought used at a local shop - it was a very well made saddle from some saddle shop in England, but it fit me and my jumper perfectly, and lasted many years of daily riding. (I don't recall the name now, but I've never seen it in a catalog).

Make sure you understand the tack stores return/exchange/trial policies so you don't get stuck (one store around here you can only exchange a new saddle for another new saddle at their store) - most good shops (here at least) will let you take used ones on trial for a couple days.

But find someone knowledgeable to help evaluate the fit if the current instructor doesn't do it - is there someone else at the barn who can/would? Another instructor or knowledgeable boarder perhaps?