Budget saddles

[enjoytheride]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8920275]
would look at places like Middleburg Tack Exchange. They have an inexpensive Northrun Ashland that might be your size and is a great price. That is a nice saddle. And an older Pessoa. I have petite friends who liked these saddles. I can’t give you personal advice because we are exactly opposite in our saddle needs given my giant status.[/QUOTE]

Sadly there is a Ashland in my barn and it would need a riser to sit level so assume it’s either too narrow or the panels aren’t poofy enough. I looked at another Ashland on Ebay and the panels looked the same.

I’m looking at Ovation, Collegiate, HDR, Harry Dabbs, and Smith Worthingtons right now. I need a 16 1/2 or 17 inch seat, medium wide tree, and a short or regular flap that isn’t super forward.

I’ve looked at the Bates but I don’t want the Cair panels.

[findeight]

Bummer…but everything that doesn’t work sends you closer to what does. Long run it makes searching easier as you narrow the field.

[good_booie]

This saddle flies under the radar but if you can get your hands on a Zaldi Star definitely give it a try. Years ago a girl had one on trial. Never heard of it but rode in it and the rest was history. At the time I was a very experienced hunter rider and sat in many saddles. It was a dream. Held onto it for a long time even though I switched to dressage. It was always my trainers go to saddle at shows when she needed one.

[egrubbs]

[QUOTE=good booie;8921703]
This saddle flies under the radar but if you can get your hands on a Zaldi Star definitely give it a try. Years ago a girl had one on trial. Never heard of it but rode in it and the rest was history. At the time I was a very experienced hunter rider and sat in many saddles. It was a dream. Held onto it for a long time even though I switched to dressage. It was always my trainers go to saddle at shows when she needed one.[/QUOTE]

I had one of these!!! It was an awesome saddle! I had mine for about 6 years until a pony flipped over on it and cracked the pommel…

[Pleased_as_Punch]

I have owned (and had saddle fitters approve) the following budget buys (all used): bates caprilli, collegiate diploma, and verhan futurity. These were each for different horses, they represent different fits. I mention the fitter because there tends to be a misconception that only pricy saddles fit well.

Inexpensive-ish saddles I have loved, and think fit my horse, but I didn’t work with a fitter: pessoa a/o, beval gladstone, arc de triomphe.

[vxf111]

A used older Dabbs or Jaguar saddle is a really nice saddle if it fits and can be found in your budget. Thorowgood T8 and Kent and Masters are my go-to value saddles. They can be HARD to find used but if you can they’re worth a look.

[Hunter_Mom]

There are a lot of nice used saddles under $800, especially sine you don’t need a big seat size.

The collegiates with the adjustable trees are either wool or foam and aren’t bad for the price. You can find some of the Pessoas in that price range, too, which I have always liked. I personally hate the HDRs. I have seen two that are decently balanced, although I’ve seen (and sat in) many.

Also, don’t discount a saddle that has a patch or repair that has made it a little ugly but is still usable and sound. Often that blemish will knock $$$ off of an otherwise nice saddle.

[Bogie]

[QUOTE=enjoytheride;8921551]

I’ve looked at the Bates but I don’t want the Cair panels.[/QUOTE]

Why not? I my saddle fitter likes the Bates/Wintecs quite a lot and the old Wintec Pro jumps are my “go to” wet weather saddle for hunting.

You can find some that are wool, too.

[beowulf]

If I was on a budget, an Ainsley or an older Stubben would be the way to go.

Both are not ‘fashionable’ so are not subject to too much inflation, you can get a good condition Ainsley for $200. I have two. You couldn’t pry either out of my cold, dead hands.

[Write_amp_Ride]

[QUOTE=beowulf;8920451]
TaraB, might I gently suggest you read the rules at the top of the page? No advertising. You have over 10 self-promoting/advertising posts posted in the last 48 hours.[/QUOTE]
Thank you, thank you for pointing that out!!
To the OP, the Ovation San Diego is quite nice for the price; there are also plenty of used saddles of any brand you can try. I’d love to know what you find!

[Hunter_Mom]

[QUOTE=Bogie;8922382]
Why not? I my saddle fitter likes the Bates/Wintecs quite a lot and the old Wintec Pro jumps are my “go to” wet weather saddle for hunting.

You can find some that are wool, too.[/QUOTE]

We actually are buying a Bates Elevation used. They can be reflocked without a lot of hassle.

[enjoytheride]

[QUOTE=Bogie;8922382]
Why not? I my saddle fitter likes the Bates/Wintecs quite a lot and the old Wintec Pro jumps are my “go to” wet weather saddle for hunting.

You can find some that are wool, too.[/QUOTE]

If I found one that was wool that would be different. I’m just not sure about the longevity of air filled panels.

[enjoytheride]

[QUOTE=beowulf;8922388]
If I was on a budget, an Ainsley or an older Stubben would be the way to go.

Both are not ‘fashionable’ so are not subject to too much inflation, you can get a good condition Ainsley for $200. I have two. You couldn’t pry either out of my cold, dead hands.[/QUOTE]

I bought a Stubben Artus last month and while it fit my mare like a glove my leg swung in it like a pendulum and it felt in general not right for me. I did make some money selling it so that was a plus.

[mojo7777]

I’m not sure if they are still out there, but I got a barely used Collegiate Alumni for $600 that fits me and and my TBs like a glove. Three different friends tried it and liked it so much that they bought their own, also at nice used prices.

[Bogie]

[QUOTE=enjoytheride;8922716]
If I found one that was wool that would be different. I’m just not sure about the longevity of air filled panels.[/QUOTE]

CAIR Panels are filled with an open cell foam, not air filled like the FLAIR panels. I had a saddle with FLAIR and it was a PIA. I’ve had my CAIR Wintecs for going on a decade without any issues.

[Lucassb]

If you can find one, you might also consider a used Beval Artisan (one of the older ones that was made as a Butet knock off.)

I’ve had mostly $$$ custom saddles, including Devoucoux, Antares and so on - but my (older, very well used) Artisan is still my favorite to ride in. I bought it used after riding in a friend’s and falling in love. I think it was around $900 and now my Butet sits on the rack untouched!

[mychestnutvalentine]

I have bought and sold many saddles on English Tack Trader on fb.
You can buy on there for cheap but you have to be dedicated to finding the deals. I have gotten $2,000+ saddles for between $500-700 but I was quick to pay.

I think knowing what fits your horse will help you in the shopping process. Knowing what to look for will shorten the time spent. Some examples are knowing what tree size, flap length, panel width , and whether you like wool or foam.

I’ve had heck of a time buying saddles to fit my two hard to fit mares. What I’m riding in right now ? An Ainsley Chester I got off eBay for very cheap. And she moves well in it!

Good luck with your search!

[abrant]

I just bought a used Circuit for $450 shipped and I really like it. I was a bit suprised because the twist was wider than I am used to but overall, very very impressed. I almost bought a blemished high end Circuit from Dover for $800 and now that I know the quality, I wish I had.

[GucciJumper]

I have owned Collegiate, HDR, Pessoa, County, Bates, Hadfield, Passier and Prestige.

The worst one was the HDR. I found it very uncomfortable and it didn’t fit any horses right.

You can definitely find something better than HDR. I have sat in some no names that were a lot more comfortable.

[OTTBs]

[QUOTE=vxf111;8922012]
Thorowgood T8 and Kent and Masters are my go-to value saddles. They can be HARD to find used but if you can they’re worth a look.[/QUOTE]
They are next to impossible to find in the US, but if you go to British sites there are a lot. After a few weeks of trying, I found someone on Preloved.com who was willing to ship to the US. I think shipping with insurance was about £80 and the Thorowgood T6 was £300–total about $500. I have no idea what the difference was between the T6 and T8, mine has leather seat and knee rolls.