Package deals on saddles...

chappel16 · 08-25-2008, 05:39 PM

I see a few package deals on english saddles on Ebay. I was wondering if any of them are good quality or not. Would I be better off buying a package used that someone put together themselves? Any suggestions? I need to buy a show saddle for competing soon, and would like to get a package, not separately.

NewtoMules · 08-25-2008, 06:12 PM

I bought a no name english saddle new off Ebay. It was a chestnut color close contact with knee rolls and a wide tree. I loved it. Gorgeous saddle and rode as comfortable as my Collegiate. I only paid $300 for it and felt that the quality was almost as good as the Collegiate (which I paid $700 for).

So, yes, SOME of those saddles are nice, but not all.

Slim Pikkens · 08-26-2008, 07:53 AM

On cheap saddles the tree is unprotected so nothing to protect it from weather changes or insects. If you know what you are buying you'll be ok but other than that it's buyer beware. If you can find a Lancer, it is supposed to be the best in the economy line, but I've never taken one apart to know for sure.

chappel16 · 08-26-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slim Pikkens

On cheap saddles the tree is unprotected so nothing to protect it from weather changes or insects. If you know what you are buying you'll be ok but other than that it's buyer beware. If you can find a Lancer, it is supposed to be the best in the economy line, but I've never taken one apart to know for sure.

I bought a Lancer, and sold it shortly after I got it because it was not comfortable at all to me.

I guess I will look at packages that people matched themselves, and go for that.

Thanks!

A J · 08-26-2008, 05:37 PM

Sometimes it's really hard to tell the quality, so you're probably better off with a used name brand saddle than a new off-brand. Just my personal experience and opinion.

Bandit · 08-26-2008, 07:51 PM

It depends. I've bought a couple saddles off of e-bay. Really lucked out with a couple, but had one or two horrible flops. I now have a couple people that I will buy from on there and don't chance it with most others. When I do look at someone's stuff I read several pages of their feedback to get a feel for it. Usually there will be a couple people in there that comment on the quality.

GreyDot · 08-26-2008, 10:09 PM

I'd be really careful. You may get lucky, but more often than not I'd say you'll get what you pay for. You don't know where the leather came from, the quality of the leather, where it was tanned, how it was tanned, or who assembled it. I've heard stories of the flaps coming off, billets coming off, billets tearing in half... If safety might be compromised, it's better not to take the chance.

If you're on a budget, you're better off buying an older, used, good-quality saddle. I just sold my 20 year old Kieffer, and it still looks almost brand new. The flap leather is thick, heavy and feels like flannel - and will still be like that 20 years later. With the 'budget' saddles, you'll never get that kind of quality.

EquineAlberta · 08-26-2008, 10:23 PM

TO get reviews on different saddles I use www.horsetackreview.com

Going by Ebay feedback can be misleading as they usually post feedback before the saddle is broken in.

I find packages tend to be lower quality and more for beginners. Sometimes the saddle is ok, but the bridle and leathers are garbage. Mid - high range saddles will usually have the matching tack, you just buy it seperate.

Karen

Slim Pikkens · 08-26-2008, 10:32 PM

You really should try out saddles in a tack shop, find what's comfortable and make a note of each one. I had a lady try one western saddle (she bro't her horse) and it seemed to be a great fit for both her and the horse. Checking her options she tried another and altho it fit the horse quite well she found her knees bothered her with this particular saddle. A third saddle was good except it was rather heavy for her. She bo't the first and is quite pleased with it.

David · 08-27-2008, 06:55 AM

I have bought the package deal ( for an aussie) on ebay. Got it really cheap, the wife used the saddle for a while, decided she didn't like so we sold it on ebay. We made money, I guess people figured that since we had rode it for a while it was good enough quality but they could have bought the same saddle new for less than they gave us. So if you know what to look for you can get a decent saddle off ebay, just ask a lot of questions and make them get you pics ( the same way you would if you bought it in the store) and if you don't like it maybe you can resale it on ebay and make money too.

Carri · 08-27-2008, 07:14 AM

If there is something specific you are looking at, maybe you could post it and let us look at it and tell you what we think?

I will say, the most common packages on there (generally shown with an American Flag for a saddle blanket) are exceptionally POOR quality. I bought one for Grace for her first pony, and it was fine for a little while, until I could see if her interest would last, but it is not a good way to see if you like riding English, because they are so uncomfortable they will convince you not too!

rivervu2 · 08-27-2008, 01:09 PM

Be very careful about buying a poor quality english saddle. You probably won't be happy with it. You're better off buying a used, good quality saddle. It will be more comfortable, last longer and retain it's value if you take care of it. Good namebrands are Crosby, Passier, Stubben, Courbette among others. Google Rick's Saddlery as they have some good deals on used saddles and you can try them out before buying. They come in 3 categories: All Purpose, Close Contact and Dressage. I like AP saddles for trail riding & light jumping as they sit deeper and have knee rolls. Close contact for a lot of jumping as they typically have little or no knee roll and minimal leather under your leg..

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08-25-2008, 05:39 PM
chappel16 Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oviedo Florida Posts: 1,028	Package deals on saddles... I see a few package deals on english saddles on Ebay. I was wondering if any of them are good quality or not. Would I be better off buying a package used that someone put together themselves? Any suggestions? I need to buy a show saddle for competing soon, and would like to get a package, not separately. __________________ "Live Like You're At The Bottom, Even If You're At The Top"-The Jonas Brothers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx3ZHIHayPE

08-25-2008, 06:12 PM
NewtoMules Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 435	I bought a no name english saddle new off Ebay. It was a chestnut color close contact with knee rolls and a wide tree. I loved it. Gorgeous saddle and rode as comfortable as my Collegiate. I only paid $300 for it and felt that the quality was almost as good as the Collegiate (which I paid $700 for). So, yes, SOME of those saddles are nice, but not all. __________________ "Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses." - Elizabeth Taylor http://outofshaperider.blogspot.com

08-26-2008, 07:53 AM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,932	On cheap saddles the tree is unprotected so nothing to protect it from weather changes or insects. If you know what you are buying you'll be ok but other than that it's buyer beware. If you can find a Lancer, it is supposed to be the best in the economy line, but I've never taken one apart to know for sure.

08-26-2008, 05:37 PM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,304	Sometimes it's really hard to tell the quality, so you're probably better off with a used name brand saddle than a new off-brand. Just my personal experience and opinion. __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

08-26-2008, 07:51 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	It depends. I've bought a couple saddles off of e-bay. Really lucked out with a couple, but had one or two horrible flops. I now have a couple people that I will buy from on there and don't chance it with most others. When I do look at someone's stuff I read several pages of their feedback to get a feel for it. Usually there will be a couple people in there that comment on the quality. __________________

08-26-2008, 10:09 PM
GreyDot Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Between AZ and OH Posts: 2,265	I'd be really careful. You may get lucky, but more often than not I'd say you'll get what you pay for. You don't know where the leather came from, the quality of the leather, where it was tanned, how it was tanned, or who assembled it. I've heard stories of the flaps coming off, billets coming off, billets tearing in half... If safety might be compromised, it's better not to take the chance. If you're on a budget, you're better off buying an older, used, good-quality saddle. I just sold my 20 year old Kieffer, and it still looks almost brand new. The flap leather is thick, heavy and feels like flannel - and will still be like that 20 years later. With the 'budget' saddles, you'll never get that kind of quality. __________________ ...There is nothing to be done till a horse's head is settled. ~William Cavendish Stuipid CAN be fixed... you just have to hit it hard enough! ~A rare moment of inspiration

08-26-2008, 10:23 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,424	TO get reviews on different saddles I use www.horsetackreview.com Going by Ebay feedback can be misleading as they usually post feedback before the saddle is broken in. I find packages tend to be lower quality and more for beginners. Sometimes the saddle is ok, but the bridle and leathers are garbage. Mid - high range saddles will usually have the matching tack, you just buy it seperate. Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?

08-26-2008, 10:32 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,932	You really should try out saddles in a tack shop, find what's comfortable and make a note of each one. I had a lady try one western saddle (she bro't her horse) and it seemed to be a great fit for both her and the horse. Checking her options she tried another and altho it fit the horse quite well she found her knees bothered her with this particular saddle. A third saddle was good except it was rather heavy for her. She bo't the first and is quite pleased with it.

08-27-2008, 06:55 AM
David Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,066	I have bought the package deal ( for an aussie) on ebay. Got it really cheap, the wife used the saddle for a while, decided she didn't like so we sold it on ebay. We made money, I guess people figured that since we had rode it for a while it was good enough quality but they could have bought the same saddle new for less than they gave us. So if you know what to look for you can get a decent saddle off ebay, just ask a lot of questions and make them get you pics ( the same way you would if you bought it in the store) and if you don't like it maybe you can resale it on ebay and make money too. __________________ "If you see your stirrups slap together above the horn, you're probably bucked off". Dave Stamey.

08-27-2008, 07:14 AM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 9,950	If there is something specific you are looking at, maybe you could post it and let us look at it and tell you what we think? I will say, the most common packages on there (generally shown with an American Flag for a saddle blanket) are exceptionally POOR quality. I bought one for Grace for her first pony, and it was fine for a little while, until I could see if her interest would last, but it is not a good way to see if you like riding English, because they are so uncomfortable they will convince you not too! __________________

08-27-2008, 01:09 PM
rivervu2 Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 908	Be very careful about buying a poor quality english saddle. You probably won't be happy with it. You're better off buying a used, good quality saddle. It will be more comfortable, last longer and retain it's value if you take care of it. Good namebrands are Crosby, Passier, Stubben, Courbette among others. Google Rick's Saddlery as they have some good deals on used saddles and you can try them out before buying. They come in 3 categories: All Purpose, Close Contact and Dressage. I like AP saddles for trail riding & light jumping as they sit deeper and have knee rolls. Close contact for a lot of jumping as they typically have little or no knee roll and minimal leather under your leg..