Saddles? ((Horse people?))

BuffyBoarding · February 2009

So Buffy got a horse and i am going to have to buy a saddle for it now. As far as horses go, i know absolutely nothing. So ive been poking around looking at saddles and have no idea what kind to buy for her. There are all the different variations and i dont know what she's going to need. Anyone out there ride and have suggestions of what to buy? Thanks -buffy

Alabama · February 2009

The first rule of saddles it to make sure the saddle will fit the horse, then that the seat will fit the rider, if you're riding western. I don't know about English. There are a great many out there You need to decide what kind of riding you want to do, what the horse is trained to do. Once you decide that, I'm sure there are quite a few people on the VHR forums who could help you.

BuffyBoarding · February 2009

I should have stated that it will be western lol. That is what i was trying to figure out before i bought a saddle is what kind to buy. It will just be trained to ride i guess. I am not a horse person lol I didnt think about VHR i should deffinately check. Thanks Bama

SC`s Stars II · February 2009

i had the same problem western: make sure that the arch of the saddle rests correctly on the arch of the horses back. The girth shouldn't be too much of a problem, but it kind of depends on what kind of riding you are planning to do...

rohesia · February 2009

Billy Cook Saddlery is a brilliant saddle maker (hand made) and though it's a bit pricy, is very good quality for the £ they cost. They are located in the USA, so I imagine its more expensive here than it would be overseas, with the importing price (much like it costs more for people in the USA for British made products) Fabtron is another good one, also hand made. I ride both English and Western, though much more English since returning to the UK from Alberta, Canada.I think it is important to know exactly what sort of riding you will be doing to even think about looking for an exact saddle, cos there are divisions even within english and western. You've got to know if you'll just be trailriding, or if you'll be doing herding, polebending, barrel racing, penning, cutting, etc. Now, I'm sure there are quite a few other saddle making companies over there, and these are just suggestions (mind you, I've been riding with Billy Cook Saddlery since I started riding western five-six years ago, so I trust them completely, and I've found that customers come first with them. And then, the comfort is always a plus too, and these saddles are really very comfortable : ) Hope this helps!

BuffyBoarding · February 2009

Thank you both very much. Rohesia-- i was looking at the Billy Cooks saddles and just cant see spending fifteen hundred to two thousand dollars on a saddle. As far as what the saddle will be used for. I guess most would be just trail riding and such since i dont have plans to event the horse in anything. I honestly dont even know how to ride. So definately mostly trailriding and then maybe taking her out to herd the cows on whatnot on those stubborn days. i was looking and saw that there are like roping, cutting etc. saddles and didnt really know what kind would be best just for riding? lol

rohesia · February 2009

xD like I said, they are quite pricy, though if you don't want to spend much, you are best off buying a used saddle, cos most new saddles are £200+

BuffyBoarding · February 2009

That is what i was looking at were used saddles i might go out and see what i can find. Thank you

Ebony · February 2009

First, are you gonna ride english or western? Western saddles fit most horses, they are designed that way. English saddles... not so much. If you have no idea how to fit a saddle, ask your local tack shop owner, they should be able to help. Also, don't get a saddle off the internet or ebay... its impossible to tell the quality. Also, what are you going to do with the saddle? Dressage only, jumping only, general school (bit of both), or something different. Each has a different saddle. Synthetic or leather makes no difference if you aren't showing. Saddles can be pricy, but its better to get one that fits rather for $$$$ than one that doesn't for $

Alabama · February 2009

For just trail riding, it really doesn't matter, just whatever feels best to you. Most places that carry saddles will have "barrels" to set the saddle up on for you to sit in and try out. Most saddle shops also carry used saddles as well as new. Looking at used saddles, be sure to shove them around and try to twist them a bit and make sure you don't feel any "give" as it may mean the tree is broken and can cause damage to the horse. There's some nice cheap new saddles out there, you may not need to start off with the absolute best quality since you aren't planning on doing heavy riding.

dogtrainer101 · February 2009

I have this saddle right now <a href="http://www.montgomerysaddlesandtack.net/16doubletostrichskinwesternbarrelsaddlesetwithcrossinlay-1.aspx"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.montgomerysaddlesandtack.net/16doubletostrichskinwesternbarrelsaddlesetwithcrossinlay-1.aspx</a> I used to have this saddle I out grew it and needed a barrel saddle. Its a very nice saddle but you got a paint right? if so this saddle might be fine it might not be I rode a morgan in it(the need semi-QH bars) and a fat paint in it so it depends on the horse <a href="http://www.horse.com/King-Series-Synthetic-Western-Saddle-Package-WKA40.html"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.horse.com/King-Series-Synthetic-Western-Saddle-Package-WKA40.html</a> Also dont just look online go to tack stores as you dont always know what you are getting online. If buffy has any more questions pm me.

SunnyDaysDontLie · February 2009

I don't own a horse, but I taught myself how to ride and read up on horses because I had planned on being a vet. Now, I'm going into forensics.... But do what Bama said, and one other thing you need to keep in mind is that English requires more balance then Western does. What I suggest is browsing <a href="http://www.horsetopia.com"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">www.horsetopia.com</a> and seeing what you can find there for cheap, and start looking up info about saddles.

Faeriegirl83 · February 2009

0.o I'm dead stupid on Western Saddles. XD But I know for English, its definitely more if it fits you than if it fits the horse. But of course you don't want to get a Fell pony size for a Quarter Horse. ^.^ There is my lovely, totally unhelpful bit of info, considering you're riding Western.

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Saddles? ((Horse people?))

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