Help me find what saddle to get?

Question

I want an english saddle, but i will use it for trails. so it needs to be comfortable and durable. I also don't wanna buy one that doesnt fit my horse, so if i buy it on ebay or something, how do i know the measurements will be correctly fitted so it doesnt slip?

Answer 1

There are LOTS of nice, used, and slightly older saddles on Ebay within your 300-400 price range. The trick is finding a seller who will allow a return if the saddle doesn't work out. Unfortunately there is no way to know what saddle will fit by looking online. You can try on other friends saddles to figure out a general idea of whether your horse needs a narrow, medium, or wide tree. Also, what sort of horse do you have. Some horses tend to run wider/narrower. As for the maker--for a cheaper, but high quality, and VERY comfortable saddle I would go with a Marcel Toulouse. I just bought a Premia on Ebay that was reduced from $950 to $700 because it had been a demo. The seller allowed returns--but luckily i made a good guess getting my horse a wide tree. The saddle didn't even need breaking in--it was love at first sit lol. Another GREAT maker that I often see cheap used ones on Ebay for is Courbette. They don't look as traditional as some--but they're extraordinary saddles! I'm sorry but you probably won't find a new saddle  for 300-400. Btw I'm selling a very lightly used synthetic Wintec 2000 for $400 if interested!

Answer 2

It's very difficult to find a saddle that fits your horse the first time out. You will probably have to try 10-20 saddles before you find the right one. There are saddle fitters that will come out to your barn with various different saddles to try on your horse. Remember when fitting a saddle do not use a pad at first and check to see where the pressure points are.

Answer 3

I would have someone experienced(maybe your vet) and ask him to see how big he or her is. even if you don't do that you can give the saddle to somekind of tack store and they may give you money for it.

Answer 4

It would be a stroke of rare and never heard of luck if you found a saddle on Ebay that was the price you are looking for, the style that you are looking for and it fits your horse....in other words, I would not really have my heart set on getting the one and only saddle on Ebay  that is going to fit your horse.  You may be further ahead to go to a tack shop,(the probably have some good used saddles as well) have a reliable saddle fitter measure your horse and go from there...it will cost you, but in the long run will be worth it.

Answer 5

You should buy used if you are only using it for trails, because it is A LOT cheaper.

This is how I was taught to measure a saddle- use a coat hanger or other wire and bend it over your horse's withers to conform to their shape.

Then trace it onto cardboard and cut it out to get a mold of your horse's withers!

Then use it when you shop.

The saddle shouldn't press on the tops of the withers or pinch the sides...

If you have a dark horse and can take the saddle home, you could try dusting it with chalk, then putting it on your horse to see where the saddle touches- it shouldn't make contact with the top of the withers or the spine.

Also, if you plan to jump anything I suggest a saddle with knee rolls- they help SO much to keep you in the saddle!