What type of used saddle for under $500 should I get?

Question

I am getting my first saddle. I am going to get a used one because of the prices. I don't know what kind to get. I asked my trainer and she seemed a little clueless. My grandmother is buying it for me so she wont spend a penny more than $500. So any sugestions?

Answer 1

Okay, so if you do jumping and you don't want an all purpose saddle that would mean you want a jumping saddle. That narrows you down to a close contact or whatever else is out there.

Sounds like you already know what you want and you're just looking for someone to hand you the answer.

Answer 2

It is as important that the saddle fit the horse as it is that the saddle fits you.

Usually the saddle stores will let you take the saddle to try it on your horse.  Please get a professional to fit the saddle to your horse.  This will prevent your horse from back pain and possible bucking and resisting you while under saddle.

Good luck and good riding.

Answer 3

Depends on your size, for one thing.  Saddle seats come in sizes.  Also, make sure you get one that has a sound tree in it and does not have any leather rot.  Be careful of what you buy, you could hurt your horses back (or worse, not fit comfortably and he could buck).

Answer 4

Here are some websites that sell saddles (the price depends on the model):

www.equestrianclearance.com

www.usedsaddles.com

www.cowboyway.com/CheapSaddles.htm

www.advancedsaddlefit.com

www.TrinityTack.com

www.BigdWeb.com

www.SaddleOnline.com

www.bitsandbridles.com

www.saddlesnhorsetackshop.com

www.equinenow.com/saddleseat.htm

www.buytack.com/

Your barn might have some saddles for sale there from retired riders - one of these might be cheaper

Answer 5

Grandmothers are so GREAT!  :)  

You haven't said what type of saddle you're getting?  English or Western.  We also don't know what type of horse you have.

To measure yourself for an English huntseat or all purpose saddle, you start at the outside of your knee and measure to your hip.  That's your seat size.  For western, just subtract a couple of inches and that NORMALLY gives you your western seat size.

You may want to look on ebay and get an idea of what you want.  For english and just starting out, if you're looking for a close contact type saddle, Crump, Crosby, Barnesby and a few others that would be within your price range.  Stubben, Kieffer, Pariani work for all purpose.

For western, Circle Y, Textan, Billy Cook are the better made factory saddles.  Then a step down, would be Big Horn, Simco.

Have FUN tomorrow!

Answer 6

get an all purpose so you can use it for many english disiplines and i suggest a collegiate or bates my trainer and i both LOVE them and would suggest them to all they are VERY good quality. Good luck!

IF YOU DON'T WANT ALL PURPOSE GET A CLOSE CONTACT SADDLE

Answer 7

what are you doing? jumping? dressage? eventing? western?

i have an HDR close contact saddle that i got for 500 exactly (used but in perfect shape) and i LOVE it

so i suggest that if you are gonna be jumping