Can anyone tell me about the quality of Big Horn saddles? The one I’m looking at is a “Pioneer, model 1539”. I’m looking for a lightweight saddle for occasional trail riding that is decently comfortable.
I have not ridden in that model specifically, but I did have a Big Horn synthetic western saddle, the arab trail saddle, and while I do not prefer synthetic saddles (I love my leather tack!) that saddle was THE most comfortable saddle I’ve ridden in to date.
It was actually a friend’s that I was using on my mare because it didn’t fit her other horses. She decided to sell it, so when she found a buyer I returned it to her. I wish I had bought it because it fit my mare perfect and was so comfortable, but I just don’t care for synthetic. I should have bought it.
Oops, forgot…
I think as far as synthetics go, Big Horn is much better quality than Abetta.
I think the one you’re looking at is a leather saddle, so I can’t really comment there.
How old is the saddle? Should be some sort of marking on it.
We had an older Big Horn at one point. When we bought it (used), the previous owners had not taken care of it correctly so the leather was in dire need of some care. But all-in-all it was a decent saddle.
DH has a Big Horn that has a leather seat, but Cordura fenders. I really like the saddle: how it fits the horses and how light it is . My only complaint is that the fenders never shape to the leg, so they can be hard on the knees. If DH actually rode more, I would likely replace the fenders.
The Big Horn Pioneer is all leather with a flatter seat than other Big Horn models. It is not exactly heavy, but is heavier than their half leather/half cordura saddles.
I really like the feel of riding in a Pioneer, but sadly my pony is too wide and too short backed to fit them,
I used to own a tack shop and carried Big Horn saddles and I own one that I bought back in 1993. Mine is the leather/cordura, I bought it because of its light weight and it came in a 17" seat.
My experience with Big Horn is that they stand behind their saddles, they are (or were, the last I heard) American made and they do stand up well with good (nothing extreme) care.
If you have a saddle with synthetic fenders you can take off the stirrup hobble, undo the fender, give the outer side of the fender a half turn twist, reassemble with the half twist. This will keep the fender permanently twisted to wrap around the front of you ankle like the twist in a trained leather fender. Took me a few rides to get used to the feel but it has helped.
[QUOTE=CHT;8351429]
DH has a Big Horn that has a leather seat, but Cordura fenders. I really like the saddle: how it fits the horses and how light it is . My only complaint is that the fenders never shape to the leg, so they can be hard on the knees. If DH actually rode more, I would likely replace the fenders.[/QUOTE]
This was the style I had as well with the leather seat and jockeys but cordura skirting and fenders.
Bringing this thread back up to see if anybody else weights in. I am having a rather nerve-wracking first experience with Big Horn. I have one on trial right now, but found that the holes in the fenders were punched wrong, one fender is longer than the other, and something about the whole saddle just doesn’t seem balanced. I know that oops can happen during manufacturing, but I would think a quality company would have better quality control. These are American made saddles on Steele trees, so I had higher hopes. This is making me a bit leery, and I am trying to decide what I want the company to do, replace the saddle, or give me a refund. The saddle itself fits my horse perfectly.
I’d give it another chance. I was given mine (leather seat, cordura fenders) with my horse. Fits him great and super comfy to me. I do long-distance riding (CTR’s and LD endurance). I got snobby and decided I didn’t prefer the synthetic look so I had a local saddle maker make a beautiful hand tooled leather saddle for me. It never felt as good as the Big Horn… so I sold it and I’ve used my Big Horn ever since!
Also know several other people in my distance riding circles that would give the Big Horn’s a good review.
I have a Big Horn 1691 and so far so good.
Paula
I bought a Big Horn Evolution (all leather) a month ago, have spent a decent amount of time in it, and like it so far. A friend has another all leather one that he likes, and he has used it when he goes elk hunting out West, so it must be holding up so far.
I have had several older type Big Horn saddles, all of good quality, good riding in them. Mine were all leather, though one was heavier, their higher quality leather.
With the leather fenders, being older, you CAN get stretch on them with folks ALWAYS mounting from the left. It is not a maker’s fault, just the nature of flexible, softened leather with use. You can measure the fender lengths, make the adjustments the same with moving up one set of holes or putting a set of holes between the original holes to equalize what has stretched out with use.
My Big Horn saddles have been great to use, have MANY miles on them in all kinds of horse activity. I have taken good care of them, they are soft and smooth to the finger feel, almost like purse leather flexible. You can find a lot of them, modestly priced in good condition, for $200-$400. Yep they are older, check them closely, but most are real nice. A couple really wet coatings of Lexol Conditioner will usually make them very supple and smooth again, for a comfortable ride. You probably won’t find larger seat sizes in the older models, because they just didn’t offer them! 16" would even be hard to come by, most were a custom size before the 80s. I like how the Big Horn saddles correctly aligned your body to be in good position for all day riding.
I don’t like the feel of synthetic saddles, never tried owning any of them by anyone. They just will never act like leather, come to fit the way they are used as leather does. Spoiled by my nice old saddles I guess!! They fit like pulling on gloves, equally soft.
I will say that I am happy with how quickly they responded to my concerns, and they are taking care of having the saddle picked up from my house by UPS so that I don’t have to worry about lugging it somewhere to be shipped. They are going to do a full inspection at the factory.
