I just found a saddle for $300 dollars... it is used but i am not sure how to tell if it is in good shape?

Question

I don't know who made it and i don't know how to tell what type of saddle it is... it is western but i don't know if it is a trail, roper, barrel racer... I am a intermediate rider but i just don't know much about saddles. Thank you!

Answer 1

Before doing anything, try it on your horse. I had an improper fitting saddle that I had bought from someone and it caused serious injury to my horse. Turns out the previous owner had dropped it one too many times or the saddle had been stepped on and it was actually curved. If possible, take the saddle to someone that knows and can see if the flocking is equal on the underside of the saddle, and if the saddle is straight through the seat and tree. It might cost you a little more, but let me tell you after the vet bill I had, its worth it to prevent an improper fitting saddle for both you and your horse!

Answer 2

Maybe you should get a used saddle. If you go to www.statelinetack.com , they have western saddle of all different prices. But, im getting a saddle from there at about 290. And is NEW. They are some cheaper new ones too. And shipping is free! but, if you dont wanna wait for the time for it to get to you. get the used one. But make sure its a good one!!!

Answer 3

does it have a link

edit>>>>

# How old is the used saddle?

# Just how used is the saddle? Does the seller clearly state that the saddle is barely used, heavily used, etc.?

# Are there several clear pictures of the saddle? In most cases you will want photos of the saddle from all angles, including underneath. If the seller describes any damage to the saddle (scuffs, tears, etc.) are these shown in the photographs? If you do not feel the seller is showing enough photographs of the saddle, ask them for more before you  buy.

# If the seller claims the saddle is a certain brand or make, do the photos show a stamp or other mark on the saddle to back up their claim?

# Does the saddle come with or without cinches, stirrups, latigos, billets, a breast collar, etc.? It would not be unusual for a used saddle to come with or without any of these items, so you should know exactly what you are, and are not, getting.

    * If the saddle does come with any of the items listed immediately above, are they also clearly described and shown in the photos?

# Does the saddle have any defects? It is reasonable to assume that a used saddle may have some defects of some kind. The seller should clearly describe any scratches, scuffs, tears, stains, etc., and show them in the pictures if possible.

    *  The most important thing is the saddle tree. Is it still sound? To test, set the saddle on the fork, nose down. Press down hard on the cantle and look for bending which is an indication of a broken tree. A broken tree is a deal breaker. DO NOT purchase a saddle with a broken tree.

    * Are all of the parts there? If you're going to have to buy a bunch of parts (stirrups, stirrup hobbles, saddle strings), the price should be cheaper.

    * Check the quality of the leather. Is it thick, soft and supple? Do the jockeys and skirts lie flat or do they curl up? Curling is a sign of either poor quality leather or leather that is used-up.

    * What shape is the underside fleece in?

    * Check the quality of the stitching, the hardware, the tooling.

While a used saddle will always show some wear, the value of the saddle will depend on its condition. The more wear, the cheaper the price. It's up to you to determine what's important to you. Personally, I'd rather ride in an old scuffed up top notch saddle than a pristine low-quality one. It's the construction, materials, and craftsmanship that makes

Answer 4

Take the saddle to a good saddlemaker and have them examine it.  They will check to make sure the tree isn't broken or cracked.  They will examine all the rivets and fittings to make sure its structurally sound.  They can also look at the saddle's making and tree and tell you whether its a North Americian saddle or foreign made.  I saw a saddle at my local saddlemakers shop recently that he had to check.  When you looked under the saddle you could see that it had pieces of chipboard between the tree and the wool to give it shape.  The chipboard would cause serious pressure and pain to the horse, even if used only briefly.  The cheap saddle was a total waste of time and money, and how would the owner be able to resell it?  They'd have to either lie, or else tell the truth and no one would buy it.

If the saddle is decent enough then you need to evaluate whether it fits your horse and you.  For you its simple, just ride in the saddle at all three gaits for 1/2 hour or so and see how you feel.  For your horse it is much more tricky, I would enlist the aid for a trainer or experienced friend to see if it rides properly, pinches anywhere, etc.

I personally would never buy a $300 saddle.  There is a reason its that cheap, and its probably not a good reason.  A good used North Americian saddle will sell for anywhere between $700 to $1500.  A $300 one is almost a guarantee that is is made of poor quality leather, that the tree is a piece of junk, that it won't last for any length of time and that it will hurt your horse's back.  It will be $300 thrown away, most likely.  And the $700 saddle might last you for 30 years or more.  So be careful before throwing money away.

Answer 5

There have been good answers on this already. Check for sure it is type you want, this is basic but do you want to ride western or english pleasure? Check the leather for suppleness and cracks, make sure all pieces are there, check for size and if you get a chance put it on the horse and try it out, since it's already used, that shouldn't be un-doable.

Answer 6

hey i got mine with a bridle and girth, for 100 and its amazing! go for it!

Answer 7

what Good Girl Gone Naughty said.

You could also look at similar or the same brand of saddle is running new or used and compare to see if it is worth it.

Answer 8

Make sure none of the leather is cracked or split. Make sure none of the fleece underside is missing. Run your hand across the fleece to make sure nothing is sticking through. Push down on the saddle and make sure there is no give to the tree. This is the most important part. You don't want a saddle if the tree is broken. If it doesn't have stirrups or they are in bad shape you can buy new ones for under $50.  New saddle strings are cheap and easy to replace. Make sure the stirrup leathers are not cracked or split. Look at the stirrup buckles, If they are blevins buckles, that's good. If the leather is dry or stiff, that's not a problem as long as it isn't cracked or split. Used saddles can be a good buy if you check them out. The deeper the tooling the better the saddle. Tooling on cheap saddles is stamped on. I've bought used saddles and with some saddle soap and saddle oil have made them look almost new.

Answer 9

first, ask the store owner/saddle owner what tree size it is. It does have to fit your horse. Also, ask the owner what kind of saddle it is.

Now, as for it being in good shape: is the leather cracked (that's not very hard to miss, even for a non-rider)? Does it have any bad gouges? Is the tree broken (that's pretty obvious, too, if you just hold the saddle; if the tree is broken, it'll feel really floppy. Like a person without a skeleton.)

best of luck!

Answer 10

ask the person who is selling it.ask why they are selling it.you must know someone who has experience in this area.consult with them.or they may look at it with you.good luck.

Answer 11

if you found the saddle over the internet it should give you the state of condition, the brand, the type of saddle ect.

That is a good price western saddle if it is in fair condition most new western saddles cost minimum $900 sometimes.

Ask the person for pictures ect over e-mail or something

Goodlcuk

Answer 12

you should check to see if the saddle's leather is not cracking and if it is broken in. if your saddle is already broken in and the leather is not hard to bend, then that is very good as long as it looks nice because breaking in a saddle is hard. if the gullets have tears then do not buy the saddle. as far as stirrup leathers, they are more replacable. if you feel like you could not find another stirrup leather that would work then dont get it. do not invest in a poorly made saddle. if the answers you recieve dont help you, then take your riding instructor or someone who has bought many saddles in the past to look at the saddle.

Answer 13

Before you buy any saddle you should know:

The maker

The tree type (qh bars, semi qh bars, arab)

The skirt length (shoulder to loin)

Gullet width (and height is also nice to know)

Seat measurement (to fit you)

Leather condition, sheepskin condition on underside, stitching and Dees, etc.

Type (trail, show, barrel racer, etc)

What does it come with (girth, breast collar) if anything

Find all that out, and then match it to the build of your horse and your size...get help with that before you buy.

Answer 14

Would it fit your horse? If it doesn't then you should try to find a much more fitting saddle. Are there any pics?