Saddle Shopping...

[Blue]

I'm looking for an all purpose english saddle for me and Honor. :) I'm really not sure what size gullet he needs, but I rode him in a friend's Wide (Bates/Wintec) saddle yesterday. It seemed to fit him good, I'm guessing he'll need a Med/Wide or a Wide. And I need a 17.5".

I want to go CHEAP. I mean...CHEAP. Like...$200 or $300 max. Preferably cheaper if I can. I'm on a budget. This is NOT going to be a show saddle, this is going to be a saddle for fun. I don't actually have a saddle that fits me right now, other than the western one that I found at the lower barn, which is fine, but I can tell I'm going to miss riding english too, I miss it already!

Now, I know everyone is going to say used is the way to go, but I have to mention this saddle...http://www.horse.com/item/economy-english-starter-set/SLT700633/#Reviews. I actually purchased this saddle a few years ago for my old mare. Out of the set, I STILL have the bridle, and the stirrup leathers, the saddle ACTUALLY seemed pretty nice, it was really comfy and the only reason I sold it was because I outgrew it. The girl that has it now uses it every day, she's a friend of mine. The reviews seem pretty good. Has anyone else had any experience with these?

Now...other than that...what brands should I be looking for? I don't even know if there would be many other options for me with what I want. I do NOT like the older saddles that have no knee flaps and have flat, hard seats, I'd rather not have a saddle at all. I like deep seats. I REALLY love the Wintec Pro's, but there's no way I can do that right now. :doh: I don't like the Wintec Close Contacts, but I had a Wintec All Purpose and I liked it. The reason I like the Pro's is because of the suede seats, which I love.

So...anyone know of anything for sale? Or have anything for sale? Or know of what I should be looking for? :whistle:

[zoel_222]

Well if you really liked that saddle in the link, why not just buy it again?

[Blue]

Well if you really liked that saddle in the link, why not just buy it again?

I don't know, i'm kind of scared to, just because of all the bad things people have said about them! :doh: I purchased mine when I knew nothing about english, and I don't know if they've changed since I bought one about 5 years ago.

[TacheteTreasures]

My first saddle was the one in the link. I thought it was really comfy, compared to any of the other AP saddles I have ridden in at least (I've been spoiled with my trainers dressage saddles). It also seemed to be easy to fit to a variety of horses. But like you said, they may have changed since I got mine probably 7 years ago

[zoel_222]

I don't know, i'm kind of scared to, just because of all the bad things people have said about them! :doh: I purchased mine when I knew nothing about english, and I don't know if they've changed since I bought one about 5 years ago.

I doubt they've changed. They haven't updated the model any.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a nice used brand name saddle too. Ya know I think HDR and Thorowgood make some good synthetic english ones for under $300. I have an HDR synthetic dressage saddle that I love and I only paid $250 for it new. Let me see what I can find for you. :)

[zoel_222]

I have this saddle only the dressage version:
http://www.horseloverz.com/Henri-De-Rivel-Competition-All-Purpose-Synthetic-Saddle-pr-393374.html

If you liked that other saddle in your first post, you'd probably like this one too. I've actually heard these are decent little saddles for schooling and having some english fun. I haven't tried it personally, though.
http://www.horseloverz.com/KINCADE-Redi-Ride-Synthetic-All-Purpose-Saddle-pr-212894.html

This is a tad out of your price range, but I like it, and it's in your size :)
http://www.horseloverz.com/Henri-De-Rivel-Sport-All-Purpose-Synthetic-Saddle-pr-393376.html

Too bad you're not a 16.5! :p
http://www.horseloverz.com/WINTEC-250-Pleasure-Riding-Saddle---Black---16-12-Wide-Tree-pr-177358.html

I'm sure if you look around on tacktrader or CL you'll be able to find a quality used brand name leather saddle in your size and price range like a pessoa, collegiate, courbette or something like that.

[Fork]

Good links, Zoe :). I'd prefer to see a synthetic for $200-$300 than a used for that price.

[zoel_222]

I'm actually kind of tempted to buy that Kincade for myself :eek:

[Fork]

I'm actually kind of tempted to buy that Kincade for myself :eek:I haven't heard great things about Kincaide leather saddles. I have no idea about their synthetic line. :p

[TacheteTreasures]

I doubt they've changed. They haven't updated the model any.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a nice used brand name saddle too. Ya know I think HDR and Thorowgood make some good synthetic english ones for under $300. I have an HDR synthetic dressage saddle that I love and I only paid $250 for it new. Let me see what I can find for you. :)

Not to steal the thread, but I was wondering where you bought the synthetic HDR. It might be just what I'm looking for

[zoel_222]

I bought it over a year ago, Tachete, so I can't remember where. It was online. I'll check my email records and see if I can find it. It was a Y!Merchant store.

[zoel_222]

This is it, but it's not where I ordered from. It's a wide tree. I don't know if they make a regular one. The seat and knee rolls are equisuede even though they don't look like it in the pics.
http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=JP00088

Here's another site that shows off what it looks like a little more honestly.
http://www.horseloverz.com/HDR-Dressage-Synthetic-Saddle-pr-175917.html

[AUEquine]

well shoot. I have a friend who's selling her wintec all purpose, but it's a 16.5 seat. I'll cruise the internet tonight and see what I can find.

[outriding01]

I would never buy one of those starter set saddles because they aren't made to last and the trees warp very, very easily. You sound like you got lucky with yours, but I wouldn't rely on that to happen a second time. I also personally will never put an HDR or Kincade on any horse of mine for the same reasons. I've ridden in several HDRs (usually when hopping on to school a horse real quick for someone) and they have all been terrible. They're not balanced correctly and make it very hard to sit and equitate properly and the leather is crap. Like you said, used is the way to go. But even used saddles of the nicer brands can still be pricey. If I were you I would look for a used Dover Circuit, Collegiate or even an M. Toulouse. They're some of the nicer, more affordable (under $1000 new) saddles, and you should easily be able to find one used for a good deal. Also, I've never ridden in an Ovation, but I have an Ovation bridle and several other pieces of tack by them, and they are always nice quality with good leather, so that might be something else to look into. I personally don't care for Wintecs, but they do fit well and are balanced, so that's still a good option.
Also, you should consider looking into a close contact over an all purpose. In general they are balanced more correctly and set up to put you in a proper seat more so than APs are. Most APs tend to push your legs forward and put you into a chair seat, where as a CC makes it easier to get your leg under you and your body aligned properly.

[Blue]

I had a Circuit, it was AMAZING. I sold it at the beginning of September. OMG! I'm kicking myself SO much for that! :( I LOVED it. But I didn't know I'd be getting Honor or I would have kept it. :(

What about the Wintecs? I'm thinking that's the route I'm going to go...

[zoel_222]

Wintecs are awesome (at least IMO), but I doubt you'll find a decent one for under $300. They usually cost around $300 to $550.

[outriding01]

I just personally don't like synthetic saddles (I've been riding in leather for 17 years so I'm just used to that) but they are decently made and put together well, so if synthetic doesn't bother you then you should be fine.

[Fork]

Try a Thorowgood if you're looking for a good quality, inexpensive used synthetic saddle. :) I had an older more synthetic-looking model and it's been my most favourite saddle. I'd take it over my previous Wintec CC. I've seen a few used T6 saddles in the $300 to $400 range.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/pickle_jess/DSCF0376.jpg

I have a used Collegiate that I bought for $150 used, online. It's not beautiful but it fits and it has a perfectly working tree.

[miatapony]

they just some brought in to the tack store by my house .. i can look in the morning and take pics with my phone pm me your # and i can text pics to you.... i have to work 10-2 so i can get it done after that or i can do it on monday for ya.