saddle fit and cost of saddles question

green.willow · 11-04-2009, 07:42 PM

So last week, someone at my barn, who professes to know a lot about saddles, did an assessment of the fit of my saddle for my horse. I think their assessment was correct and it looks like I am now in the market for a new saddle. However, this person was of the opinion that a well-fitting saddle could only be bought for several thousand dollars.

I'd like to hear other people's opinion on this topic: Is it really necessary to spend thousands of dollars to get a good-fitting saddle?

nonny's dee · 11-04-2009, 07:58 PM

You can buy a quality saddle and NOT spend thousands! Figure out what you need and start shopping. Check the saddles for sale section on Horsetopia. Check e-bay; tacktrader.com; etc. Find a reputable tack shop and work with them to get what you need. You have options - it'll take a bit more work, but you'll get what you need at the price you want. Good luck!!!!

scrapchick · 11-04-2009, 08:09 PM

I just bought a very nice Simco that fits my horse perfectly on craigslist....and I did not spend thousands. i barely spent hundreds!

kshnooks · 11-04-2009, 08:19 PM

no, not necessarily. Generally a more expensive saddle is more expensive for a reason (i.e. better materials). Although thats not to say that many saddle brands are bolstered by their fashionability in the show ring or a brand name.

That said, if a $500 Wintec fits your horse, that is what you should ride in. If a $5000 is the only saddle that would fit, I feel same rule applies. Horse's comfort is first, rider's is second.

Slim Pikkens · 11-04-2009, 08:25 PM

Did that someone check your saddle while the horse was standing still or did that someone watch while you put the horse thro various gaits? When a horse is moving part of his back is constantly moving. There is also a part of his back that remains constant. You didn't state if your saddle was english or western.

AnChap · 11-04-2009, 08:32 PM

had the same thing happen. I was really worried my poor horse would like, die, because I couldn't afford thousands. I got a wintec wide with changeable gullets and it's sooo wonderful for my horse and I love it and bonus--everyone at the barn likes it as much as their 2000 dollar saddles.

green.willow · 11-04-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slim Pikkens

Did that someone check your saddle while the horse was standing still or did that someone watch while you put the horse thro various gaits? When a horse is moving part of his back is constantly moving. There is also a part of his back that remains constant. You didn't state if your saddle was english or western.

The saddle is western and yes, I rode with it and this person took examined things with the horse standing flat and the pad removed.

Slim Pikkens · 11-07-2009, 12:56 PM

I don't quite follow what you are telling me. "this person took examined things". Would you be able to post a pic of your horse saddled with the pad and unsaddled, so we can see the angle of the bars. If the bars are too wide the rear of the saddle will tip upward because the front sits too low behind the shoulders. I hope this person doesn't "just happen to sell saddles". You don't need a costly saddle to get a good fit. See if your friends will let you try their saddles on him.

11-04-2009, 07:42 PM
green.willow Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: nowhere Posts: 104	saddle fit and cost of saddles question So last week, someone at my barn, who professes to know a lot about saddles, did an assessment of the fit of my saddle for my horse. I think their assessment was correct and it looks like I am now in the market for a new saddle. However, this person was of the opinion that a well-fitting saddle could only be bought for several thousand dollars. I'd like to hear other people's opinion on this topic: Is it really necessary to spend thousands of dollars to get a good-fitting saddle?

11-04-2009, 07:58 PM
nonny's dee Newborn Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate, New York Posts: 31	Saddles You can buy a quality saddle and NOT spend thousands! Figure out what you need and start shopping. Check the saddles for sale section on Horsetopia. Check e-bay; tacktrader.com; etc. Find a reputable tack shop and work with them to get what you need. You have options - it'll take a bit more work, but you'll get what you need at the price you want. Good luck!!!! __________________ owned by Miss Tilly the Moody Molly Mule

11-04-2009, 08:09 PM
scrapchick Kid Safe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Festus, Missouri Posts: 7,027	I just bought a very nice Simco that fits my horse perfectly on craigslist....and I did not spend thousands. i barely spent hundreds! __________________ ....And I will sail my vessel, 'til the river runs dry, like a bird upon the wind , these waters are my sky - I'll never reach my destination if I never try ...So I will sail my vessel ,'til the river runs dry ...

11-04-2009, 08:19 PM
kshnooks Started Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 2,389	no, not necessarily. Generally a more expensive saddle is more expensive for a reason (i.e. better materials). Although thats not to say that many saddle brands are bolstered by their fashionability in the show ring or a brand name. That said, if a $500 Wintec fits your horse, that is what you should ride in. If a $5000 is the only saddle that would fit, I feel same rule applies. Horse's comfort is first, rider's is second.

11-04-2009, 08:25 PM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,055	Did that someone check your saddle while the horse was standing still or did that someone watch while you put the horse thro various gaits? When a horse is moving part of his back is constantly moving. There is also a part of his back that remains constant. You didn't state if your saddle was english or western.

11-04-2009, 08:32 PM
AnChap Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Virginia Posts: 406	had the same thing happen. I was really worried my poor horse would like, die, because I couldn't afford thousands. I got a wintec wide with changeable gullets and it's sooo wonderful for my horse and I love it and bonus--everyone at the barn likes it as much as their 2000 dollar saddles.

11-07-2009, 12:56 PM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,055	I don't quite follow what you are telling me. "this person took examined things". Would you be able to post a pic of your horse saddled with the pad and unsaddled, so we can see the angle of the bars. If the bars are too wide the rear of the saddle will tip upward because the front sits too low behind the shoulders. I hope this person doesn't "just happen to sell saddles". You don't need a costly saddle to get a good fit. See if your friends will let you try their saddles on him.