Budget saddles

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=OTTBs;8923378]
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.[/QUOTE]

The amount of leather on the saddle seems to me to be the main difference between the T6 and T8. The T8 has leather on all the “visible” bits of the saddle so it LOOKS like a 100% leather saddle. The T6 doesn’t. Isn’t the T6 all synthetic? I can’t recall since that’s been discontinued. The T8 is partially leather.

Thorowgood are terrific saddles at a really, really good price. Aside from the “non-leather” snobbery, I don’t know why more people don’t try them. No, they’re not Butets but for the price-- they’re really, really good.

[enjoytheride]

[QUOTE=abrant;8922962]
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.[/QUOTE]

The saddle I’m currently in is an older circuit and sadly I have to admit the flap isn’t forward enough for my leg and my mare is growing out of it. I love it though.

Pictures of me on horse in current saddle and a Stubben Artus I tried. Although the Artus fit my mare like a glove and looked like it fit me in the leg, my legs swung like pendulums and it just didn’t ride well so I sold it.

http://weanieeventer.blogspot.com/2016/09/new-jumping-saddle.html

[abrant]

[QUOTE=enjoytheride;8923536]
The saddle I’m currently in is an older circuit and sadly I have to admit the flap isn’t forward enough for my leg and my mare is growing out of it. I love it though.

Pictures of me on horse in current saddle and a Stubben Artus I tried. Although the Artus fit my mare like a glove and looked like it fit me in the leg, my legs swung like pendulums and it just didn’t ride well so I sold it.

http://weanieeventer.blogspot.com/2016/09/new-jumping-saddle.html[/QUOTE]

Ahh! Opposite problems. I was struggling to find something to fit my short legs

[enjoytheride]

[QUOTE=abrant;8923727]
Ahh! Opposite problems. I was struggling to find something to fit my short legs :D[/QUOTE]

You think I have long legs? I guess maybe proportionally. My mare is only 14.2 so maybe I look taller than I am.

[Equisis]

FWIW, I know some people who have had CAIR panels removed and the panels flocked with wool. It can be done for a pretty reasonable cost, and then the saddle is custom flocked for your horse. Just something to keep in mind in case you find a Bates at a good price that fits your other needs!

A lot of people aren’t big fans of Toulouse, but I had a used Marielle mono flap that I picked up for around $500 that I LOVED. Decent leather quality, fit my horses well and very secure- the only thing I didn’t like were the billets, which I could afford to have replaced since the saddle was so well priced. I know someone who had a Premia and that was a nice saddle as well. I have a long leg and the regular flap was fine for me until prelim, when I needed shorter stirrups and a more forward flap.

[enjoytheride]

I just wanted to bump this thread and let everyone know that I have a SW saddle coming my way on a trial thanks to a very nice seller. I never would have considered that brand (not knowing much about it) if I hadn’t posted this thread!!

[findeight]

Whats a SW? Eluding me at the moment…

[enjoytheride]

Smith Worthington

[OTTBs]

[QUOTE=vxf111;8923470]
The amount of leather on the saddle seems to me to be the main difference between the T6 and T8. The T8 has leather on all the “visible” bits of the saddle so it LOOKS like a 100% leather saddle. The T6 doesn’t. Isn’t the T6 all synthetic? I can’t recall since that’s been discontinued. The T8 is partially leather.
[/QUOTE] Mine definitely has leather seat and knee rolls, and that’s where I’d heard the T8 had leather. I did notice more recently that the top, visible, part of the panels also seems to be leather–it’s printed, not smooth. The flaps are synthetic, thankfully it’s not squeaking like my Wintec. I did discover “covered” leathers squeak on it, regular ones don’t.

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=OTTBs;8935748]
Mine definitely has leather seat and knee rolls, and that’s where I’d heard the T8 had leather. I did notice more recently that the top, visible, part of the panels also seems to be leather–it’s printed, not smooth. The flaps are synthetic, thankfully it’s not squeaking like my Wintec. I did discover “covered” leathers squeak on it, regular ones don’t.[/QUOTE]

IIRC on the T8 only the true underside of any areas was synthetic. Anything you could see or sit in was leather. I don’t recall anything about the T6.

[Luseride]

I like my HDR very much for the price I paid. I would purchase again as it fits my horse and myself.

[Winding_Down]

I would get a Pessoa, made in England. I got one for around $600 a few years ago, medium tree. It is comfortable, fits lots of horses, and my go-to saddle for just about all of the horses I ride. I do have a custom saddle for one horse but that is because I need the extra forward flap for eventing.

Here is a picture of the saddle:

http://www.myaushorse.com/uploads/1466231578-IMG_20160504_194518.jpg

Seriously wears like iron, has excellent balance, and very comfortable for almost any horse that isn’t excessively wide.

I also have bought and sold saddles through Middleburg Tack Exchange, mostly because I live down the road. I just scored a super little Stubben Rex pony saddle for $350 that is great for my no wither flat backed large pony.

[yellowbritches]

[QUOTE=enjoytheride;8933708]
I just wanted to bump this thread and let everyone know that I have a SW saddle coming my way on a trial thanks to a very nice seller. I never would have considered that brand (not knowing much about it) if I hadn’t posted this thread!![/QUOTE]
I’ve been really impressed with every SW I’ve had my hands on. Way nicer than some of the budget saddles on the mrket. If it fits, you’ll have a nice saddle.

[buck22]

I can’t possibly be the first person to suggest Crosby, can I?

Many moons ago I had a lovely Tad Coffin Crosby that I bought and sold for a song - under $500. It was older, but beautiful, balanced and comfortable.

Lexingtons are wonderful Crosby models too.

And don’t be too quick to dismiss the venerable PDN.

[kashmere]

OP - if the Artus fit your mare well, might I suggest trying a different model of Stubben to see how the balance works for you?

I ride in an Edelweiss - the NT tree is magic for my mare, and it’s quite a nice saddle. Different configuration than the Artus in terms of rider fit.

[cripplecreekfrm]

I am coveting the SW trainer but right now it is a little out of my budget. I just got my Bates wool flocked for $250 after almost 15 years of use is developed a leak and compressed on one side. It was caused by my horse actually stepping on the saddle so it wasn’t normal wear and tear. It still feels the same as it did before the wool flocking so if you find one for a good price and it fits the CAIR wouldn’t deter me.

[Scribbler]

The best saddle is the saddle that fits your horse best. Some brands will just never work for some horses, because of the shape of the tree.

After that, it has to put you in a decent balance, which involves the depth and placement of the seat versus where the stirrup bars sit, and the configuration of the panels.

Some people luck out with their very low budget saddles, and love their synthetic thoroughgoods. On the other hand, some people think their saddles (low budget or high budget) fit really well, but they don’t.

I prefer to buy used high-quality tack, but it is true that used high-quality tack is still more expensive than used budget tack! On the other hand, I think that the really high-quality saddles hold up longer, and can be fixed up, reflocked, etc., more effectively. When I look at my friend’s second hand as-new $500 Thoroughgood, though it may be technically flocked with wool or “wool” (ie, fibres not foam), I don’t see a way for the panels to be opened up and reflocked the way I did my second-hand, much older, “good used condition” $900 County.

[Spud_amp_Saf]

If you are looking in the budget of Collegiate, HDR, Circuit, etc., I really like the Intrepid saddles best in that price category. They are wool flocked and have interchangeable gullet options, or standard tree options. The leather used on these is MUCH nicer than the Collegiate, HDR or newer Bates (if conditioned properly, quite tacky and does not rub off under the stirrup leathers - I actually preferred the second saddle listed as it is quite durable but also very decent quality leather), and they fit quite a large array of horses very nicely. They have forward flap options and are quite nicely balanced for the rider. With the exchange rate, these would be a bargain for you:

http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/for-the-horse/saddles-1/close-contact/intrepid-gold-deluxe-close-contact-saddle.html

http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/for-the-horse/saddles-1/close-contact/intrepid-gold-close-contact-saddle.html

http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/for-the-horse/saddles-1/close-contact/intrepid-arwen-deluxe-adjustable-close-contact-saddle.html

Not interchangeable but still quite a nice saddle for the price, especially as it is made in England but comparable in price to lower end saddles:

http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/for-the-horse/saddles-1/close-contact/exselle-axcess-close-contact-saddle.html

Slightly more, but also, IMO, really nice saddle for the price:

http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/for-the-horse/saddles-1/close-contact/exselle-debut-close-contact-saddle.html

[Draftmare]

The older Collegiate saddles were amazing starter saddles, IMO. I haven’t been super impressed with their newer saddles or tack. The leather feels weird, almost plastic like. I have also had great success with some of the lesser known UK brands like Thoroughbred, Rembrandt, etc. Stubben saddles can often be found on the cheap, and are saddles that really last the test of time. However, some of the older models are lacking in the creature comforts area.

[ChasPonyCat]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8937021]
The older Collegiate saddles were amazing starter saddles, IMO. I haven’t been super impressed with their newer saddles or tack. The leather feels weird, almost plastic like. I have also had great success with some of the lesser known UK brands like Thoroughbred, Rembrandt, etc. Stubben saddles can often be found on the cheap, and are saddles that really last the test of time. However, some of the older models are lacking in the creature comforts area.[/QUOTE]

I ride in an older Collegiate and I love it! It reminds me of a simpler time. It’s like the Little House on the Prairie of saddles (in that it reminds me of a simpler time, but is also…hard sometimes? lol)