English Saddle Question?

Question

I am a Western rider looking to start English. I ride a 15 year old QH gelding. My western saddle is a 15 or 16 in seat and has QH bars. I will do some low level showing on flatwork and eventually do some jumping.

What size tree would fit best?

What style saddle would best fit my needs?

Are there any decent quality, CHEAP saddles like this?

I saw some Kincade ones...does anyone have any experience with those.

Any other helpful info is appreciated! Thank you!

Answer 1

first ur horse should know how to ride english or he will get confused when u r trying to ride him english when he is meant for western.

the tree should fit the horse because if it doesnt fit him he will not be comferable. it should also fit u pretty good if it doesnt keep looking and english saddles arent that cheap just to tell  u.

Answer 2

First of all, you need to measure yourself so you have the correct seat size.  Start at your knee and measure to your hip.  That will give you the CORRECT size for anEenglish saddle.  As for your horse's gullet size, if you're currently using a FULL Quarter Horse Tree, then a WIDE gullet is what you are looking for.

Instead of buying a synthetic, try looking for a European made saddle, that's been gently used.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...

That's a good all purpose Stubben Siegfried.  I've had and used mine for going on 40 years.

Look at Stubbens, Parianis, Kieffers, Crumps (If you like close contacts), Crosbys, Barnsbys and most other European brands.  Be VERY careful when the company mentions European (French namely) leather but scoots around where the saddle is actually made (These are assembled in India!).  Also although Argentine's are a step above Indian made English saddles they don't hold their value or hold up as well as the European saddles..

Hope this lesson help you in your decision.

Answer 3

i would get a wide tree...an all purpose saddle...and i would look at wintecs they are made really well and have realllly reasonable prices.

Answer 4

the tree is supposed to fit the horse not the rider

Answer 5

Well, having a full QH you will probably need a med-wide to a wide tree.  Its hard to say without actually putting it on your horse.  With the tree, every brand varies just slightly.  A med tree may fit in one brand and not in another.  

You will probably want a close contact or all purpose.  If you intend on doing just english (hunters and jumpers) I would go with the close contact.  The all purpose saddle will not really help you and your position since it is ment for a little bit of everything.  The cut of the flap and the seat can affect your riding quite a bit.  If you plan on staying in just the english then having a saddle ment for specifically jumping then you will feel more secure.  

When it comes to buying one, you get what you pay for with any leather product.  I personally do not like the kincades.  They are very low quality leather, more plastic feeling, and tend to not fit any horses.  You will probable slide around in it since you cant get much grip.  A less expensive option is an HDR.  It is pretty nice leather for the price.  Mary's Tack and feed actually has a special on the HDRs.  Its the saddle, girth, and leathers or bridle, I can't remember which one.  Since you are switching you will need all the tack anyway.  But if you get the package its a $300-$400 savings.  Its not listed on the website so you have to call them.  

http://www.marystack.com/

Another thing to think about is used higher quality saddles.  You want a good saddle that is not going to hurt your horse too.  Even better, you dont have to break in your saddle.  Used ones often make the best saddles for beginners since they are broken in, they are more comfortable.  Just remember to check the quality of leather.  Also, make sure its not over oiled.  (youn dont want oil stains on your pants)Check the stitching and make sure its still good.  Make sure the tree is not broken, ask your trainer for help with that.  See if the flaps are worn so thin that you will have a hole, you dont want that.  Make sure the billets are still in good condition and not ready to streach and snap, or they are so long that they hang way below the saddle flap.  

Once you find a saddle you like, always try it before you buy.  It needs to fit the horse properly so you dont cause problems later on with an ill fitting saddle and it needs to feel secure and comfortable to you.  If you have never ridden english before try to borrow a saddle and learn a little then buy your own so you can test ride the saddle.  Its hard to test a saddle if you dont even know what to do.

Answer 6

Shop, Shop and shop.

http://astore.amazon.com/sfaehorse08-20/...

Answer 7

I have a Kincade close contact that I HATE!!!!! It's nice looking enough for low level shows but I can barely stand riding in it I have to use a riser show pad as it's soooo flat in back and the seat is slicker than black ice.We won't even start in on how uncomfortable it is.....If you show at open/breed shows you will need a close contact saddle vs. all purpose.I recommend buying a used (or new) Collegiate or HDR saddle. It is worth the extra $200 dollars

Answer 8

I haven't ridden in a Kincade and I don't know your definition of cheap but a good saddle would be a Wintec all purpose saddle  with the gullet changing system.  The saddle is synthetic so it is easy to care for.  you can look on the wintec web site or the ebay web site.  I bought a new one from ebay 625.00 included leathers,girth the complete gullet system a tool to measure for what side gullet you should use.  this was a good choice for me because I to have a QH but sometimes I ride someone elses horse and I can change the gullet and the saddle works well on a different horse