I’m in need of a new western saddle, and while looking through craigslist came across a decent looking 16’ circle y, but it has a few cosmetic issues… The leather is very nice, it has silver conchos and new saddle strings, but it is missing the sheepskin from underneath and the horn needs re-sewing. From the serial code it looks like its from '93. I am not sure if it will fit my mare as she has a short back, but am willing to give it a try. The saddle is $300 and I found the same saddle for sale in nice condition for about $950. Is it worth fixing up? I have also heard that the sheepskin is not necessary if using a thick saddle pad. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
Both of my current saddles are newer Circle Y’s. They’ve been good saddles.
Typically an older circle Y is going to be better quality than one of the newer ones.
As long as it fits your horse and you’re willing to fix it up, go for it.
Thats alot of wear if all the sheepskin is gone on a '93…but if the tree is sound, it fits your horse and the fleece can be replaced go for it!
Buy the nicer one $950.00 and Enjoy !
IMHO you should buy the nicer one in good condition ~
not worth struggling with repairing the older one ~
If it either saddle has a rawhide covered wood tree go for it.
If they are built on synthic trees then pass on them as the synthetic trees get brittle with age.
Trees have really evolved during the past 20 years. I love Circle Y’s Flex2 tree. You might be better off getting a newer saddle that will fit your horse. You can download tree templates from horsesaddleshop.com and see what size tree may be better suited for your horse, and go from there. They have some used saddles as well as newer ones. Good luck!!
Actually, a good wooden tree will last for decades, but of course fit is important.
OP, as to ‘resale value on a Circle Y,’ there really isn’t any for the particular brand. Something like a Ryon would be a different matter entirely. I bought a new Circle Y 6 or 7 years ago as my gelding had outgrown the two saddles I had on hand. Less than a year later, he outgrew the new saddle. Happily I knew and had purchased the saddle from the saddle manager for that shop, so he gave me a generous trade in value for the McCall I purchased, but just like new cars, the value drops the instant it leaves the show room.
For comparison, I still have the Tex Tan I was given for my birthday in 1965, my first saddle, and it cost $150 new, which would be about $1100 in 2014 dollars. I see the particular saddle now and then in antique shops and consignment stores with a tag in the range of $350. It is usable and does still have its fleece! But does not fit current stock.
Just for clarification the $950 one was quite a few states away and I only found it as a comparison. I wish I could spend that much on a nice saddle 
But I think I have decided to go ahead with it after I talk to my parents. Thank you all for your input!!
