Yes....another Saddle Thread....Sharon Saare Saddles????

[PaintedHearts]

Does anyone have, had or tried a Sharon Saare saddle? I'm looking at one off of Craigslist that's an endurance saddle. I looked at her website www.sharonsaaresaddles.com and it looks like she has nice saddles. I emailed her and tried to get a idea of what they run and she say anywhere from $1700-2800. This one is $500 which seems like a good deal. I also did some research on ebay and other sites for used ones and the cheapest I found was $750. I really like the look of this one and just wanted to get your thoughts. Thanks

[TLC97]

It looks well use, hence the price. I would ask the seller why they are selling it? Are there any areas that need repair?

Stuff like that.

[PaintedHearts]

She said it was her moms and she wants her (the daughter) to sell it. She also said that it wasn't use that much. She is going to come this evening and do a fitting with me and my mare, so we'll see what kind of condition it's in. It looks like the fender on the one side has a stain/wear.

[luvs2ride1979]

They are VERY nice saddles. They come in different tree sizes though, so you'll want to know the serial number or tree size (I think she does them in letters?) and check with the manufacturer to make sure it's suitable for your horse.

[PaintedHearts]

The lady is coming for a fitting in about an hour. Luvs2ride, do you have one?

[luvs2ride1979]

No, but I have friends that do Endurance and CTR, so I have had a chance to see them before. If I was looking for a new trail or endurance saddle and had the $$$, I would definite put a Saare top on my list! They are definitely worth every penny.

Let us know how the fitting goes!

[PaintedHearts]

The fitting went great and it seems to fit like a glove. I think it's very comfortable but I only did a little trotting around the yard. The leather is a little squeaky, is there anything you can do for that? I think it will be a nice saddle. Look forward to a nice trail ride with it. :cowboy:

[luvs2ride1979]

You can put some corn starch between the skirts. Oil the saddle well and ride in it! As the skirts get more broken in and soft, the less they'll squeak.

[PaintedHearts]

Corn starch! Would have never guessed. What kind of "oil" do you recommend? I don't want it to get stains. I used a foam leather cleaner once on a headstall and it made dark stains in it. :(

[Buckpoco]

They are a fabulous saddle! Grab it for that price. I know quite a few people who had them custom made and adore them. Also know somebody who got one off the internet and she says it's revolutionized her riding. I rode in my friend's and just loved it...it's so balanced. Just don't have the money for one right now.

[luvs2ride1979]

I like to use Hydrophane Leather Dressing. It's a blended oil that conditions and waterproofs leather. It will darken the leather a little, but it lightens back up once it's dry all the way. You can get a can of it for $15 at doversaddlery.com A can will last a LONG time! :D

[terasmom]

Regarding Sharon Saare Saddles-
I bought mine new back around 1989. I don't recall exactly but paid about $1900 or so. At that time, if you weren't near a fitter they'd send you a box of trees to try on yourself so I fit it myself.
It's been a great saddle- outlasted the horse. Mine was a little mustang mare- took a D size...she was a little wide in the shoulders. The saddle was always comfortable. We just enjoyed trail & beach riding. Mine is an endurance saddle with the optional horn and some silver conchos. I haven't been able to bring myself to part with it. The fleece looks like new. The horse died about 8 years ago.
As to oiling it- she told me to use Crisco.

[foxtrot]

I had Sharon custom make a saddle for my foxtrotter gelding and myself. Every second I spent in that saddle was pure pleasure. My horse was FINALLY happy with a saddle and his gaits improved! Sharon Saare is professional, trustworthy, and her word is as good as gold.
I took my mare for a fitting the same day, Sharon could have made a saddle for her and made a lot of money in the process, instead, she cared enough about my mare to point out her long back and show me how her back was beginning to break down. Sharon recommended I retired her before she had cronic back pain, I retired her that day.
I have the highest regard for Sharon. Simply, a good honest person that makes a quality product.

[carla]

I realize I'm a few months late on this thread, but I love that saddle! I'd never heard of them; I think we need a pic of it on your horse, though. :D

[PaintedHearts]

LOL this is an old post. Here are a few pics of Angel with it on.

Please excuse the mess. This was taken in the middle of winter. There is no pad just because I was taking them for the forum when we where having some bucking issues.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff105/dtjoseph95/Angels%20Back/100_1269.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff105/dtjoseph95/Angels%20Back/3Amigos3.jpg

[carla]

Thanks! Yeah, like I said a few months late, lol. Pretty girl. :) Which seat cover do you have? Do you like it? I was looking at some online the other day and would like to get one but have never used one. I also sometimes wish I had gone on with a hornless saddle, too. But oh well for now!

[PaintedHearts]

My seat saver is 100% sheepskin. I really like it. It's great for winter riding. When your trotting and then stop and go to sit it's warm not freezing. LOL I got myself one and my 2 riding buddies one for Christmas. As far as having no horn. I'm really glad that's how the saddle came. We ride in the trees alot and you need to be able to duck and to have a horn in your stomach isn't fun. LOL

[carla]

Cool. Yeah, riding through a lot of trees is what got me wishing last week. In fact, my horn is taller than some, which makes it even worse. But, I needed a saddle and I have one. ;) I can be picky in the next year or so after I have a job.

[luvs2ride1979]

You can always have the horn cut off! lol I know a few people that did that. The saddle repair shop just wrapped the pommel with leather, the kind you dally wrap a horn with.

I have an Engel sheepskin cover (http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/tack/accessories-misc/western-seat-cover/prod_109.html) for my husband's saddle. He really likes it and the sheepskin is very dense and soft. I had a Skito seat cover (http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/tack/accessories-misc/skito-rear-gear/prod_45.html) for my saddle and it was GLORIOUS! It has Skito foam under nice sheepskin. It will make any saddle feel like an ultra padded Tucker, lol. You can get it with a jersy knit top if you don't want it too bulky. It did make my saddle seat size shrink a bit, lol.

[terasmom]

[QUOTE=terasmom;140638]Regarding Sharon Saare Saddles-
I bought mine new back around 1989. I don't recall exactly but paid about $1900 or so.

Correction.. back then I paid around $900. They now start somewhere around $1900.

[Angwinbreeze]

My friend and I both own Sharon Saare saddles and love them.

[Angwinbreeze]

I love my Sharon Saare saddle, however it isn't a good fit for my mare so I've got it for sale.