Considering going western... Update: We're western now!

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;8029552]

• How does one go about fitting a western saddle. My mare takes a WIDE tree. Would that be full quarter horse bars?[/QUOTE]

Since I ride both English and Western (started out Western), in my own opinion, I think Western saddles are much harder to fit.

Here’s a few websites to get you started on the concept.

http://saddlemakers.org/id193.htm

http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/tree-and-saddle-fitting/factors-that-affect-tree-fit/

You cannot fit a western saddle based only on gullet width and tree type (full or semi). There is not an industry standard and every saddle will fit differently.

However, if your horse needs a wide English tree, you could very well start your search with a Full quarter horse bars and see how that goes.

[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;8029552]

• My seat size for English is 17.5 ish. What size seat would I take in western?[/QUOTE]

I also ride in a 17.5 seat size for English. I am usually comfortable in either a 14.5" or 15" for Western. I primarily run barrels and I actually like the 14.5" a little better than a 15".

@Preposterous Ponies!;8029552

-What type of saddle would be best? I may eventually like to try barrels with this mare, as she is compact, speedy, agile and has an enormous butt for all that power.[/QUOTE]

If you think that is what you will eventually like to do, you can start your search with barrel saddles. They will have a deeper seat, and higher swells and cantel to “hold you in”. Sit in a few of them first and see how it feels to you.

However, you don’t have to have a barrel saddle to do barrel racing.

Each type of western saddle (roping, barrel, reining, trail, etc) is going to have slightly different characteristics designed for that specific event, and they will all feel different when you sit in them.

@Preposterous Ponies!;8029552

• Can I get a decent used saddle for cheap (300ish)? What are some okay brands? [/QUOTE]

Well … cheap is what cheap does. If you want anything of quality for $300, you will have to find a lucky deal on a used name brand saddle.

Stay away from fiberglass trees in cheaper brands. They aren’t very strong trees and can actually crack easy.

Remember: Your horse has to wear it. A cheap made saddle will fit like a cheap made saddle.

Your best bet is to try on as many different western saddles as you can (great if you can haul her to a tack shop!) and start to get an idea of what works and what doesn’t. And what YOU as the rider find comfortable.

[QUOTE=La Gringa;8029576]Full QH bars is for horses with not a lot of wither.

Eh, not really.

The angle of the bars of the tree (whether they are semi or full) really has nothing to do with how it fits the wither … because it’s not resting on the wither. The angle of the bars needs to match with the angle of the area behind the horse’s shoulder.

Once you find that match, if you have the saddle gullet touching the wither, then you need to find a saddle with more gullet clearance. But you are NOT going to change the angle of the bars of the tree, because then it’s not going to fit their back.

[QUOTE=La Gringa;8029576] Full QH bars is for horses with not a lot of wither.

Again, not really. Full QH bars means that is is going to fit a horse with a more broad angle on their back.

[QUOTE=La Gringa;8029576]
Your horse being a TB may do better in a Semi QH Bar, [/QUOTE]

Truly, I’m not trying to pick on your Gringa but this is another myth.

Many people think of a TB of being tall, lanky, and narrow and therefore they need a narrow tree saddle. When in reality, most TBs actually need a WIDE saddle to properly fit the correct angle of their back.

[QUOTE=La Gringa;8029576]
Barrel Saddles tend to be deeper seated, a deep pocket to stay in around tight turns. THey are also light weight fiberglass trees usually.[/QUOTE]

Sure, if you buy a CHEAP barrel saddle they are going to have a fiberglass tree.

A good quality barrel racing saddle is not going to have a fiberglass tree in it, and still be quite lightweight.

I have 2 different circle Y saddles with wood trees and they are both under 25 pounds.

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8029576]
Her withers don’t look too bad. Her back is flattish and the way she’s put together makes me think that you might have trouble with a saddle slipping forward and/or sitting down on her in front. Looks like bars will want to gravitate toward the pockets behind her withers because while her back is more flat than dippy, it angles downhill in the front. So you might consider that you’d also need a pad that will balance out the front-back, and those aren’t cheap, either. [/QUOTE]

I agree completely. She has nice withers (not overally high) but there is that dip behind the shoulder that will make the fit more tricky, and she is a smidge downhill.

[Foxtrot_s]

Just don’t plan on jumping your jumper mare in a western saddle or you will get winded by the horn unless you really sit up.

Also, beware the bra hook on the horn - it’s happened.

[aktill]

On the cheap end of saddles, when you’re talking about a “fibreglass tree” it can mean a few things.

It could be a hollow fibreglass structure with little hard points of wood inside for screws. Avoid these like the plague, they’re universally crap. A LOT of overseas saddles in the sub $750 range have these. Put into perspective, the tree alone in a custom saddle can cost more then that.

Fibreglass covered wood can be anywhere from terrible to ranch roping ready. The fibreglass coating can be just as strong as rawhide, but it’s not as resilient or flexible as rawhide. The real strength comes from how well the woods are selected and grain patterns aligned. Without really knowing about tree design, the best thing people can do is learn who the good tree makers are and demand to know what the saddlemaker is using.

[Preposterous_Ponies]

Thanks!

It looks like the owner of the property (my eventer BO rents from her, and PO has smaller area for her horses on the other side of the property) will let me try some of her saddles and give me a hand with what I need to know. I mean, I don’t even know how to put the damn thing on! Haha

I will definitely be looking for a used saddle of good quality. Hopefully I can ride in the PO’s saddles for a bit to get a feel, and then I would be likely to shell out a bit more money for mine own when the time comes.

[Preposterous_Ponies]

[QUOTE=Bluey;8031531]
You may also consider that, other than roping or training and competing in western events, you can ride “western” in your English saddle just fine, if by that you mean trail riding and playday type stuff like barrels and poles just for fun.

Maybe after you are out in that world, you find someone with a suitable western saddle for sale, since you don’t seem to have tack shops you can go to try saddles.

The one place a western saddle would be better than an English one is if you were to trail ride or just move cattle slowly for many hours.
Then, just sitting up there for all those hours, just walking around or standing there, western saddles tend to distribute your weight over a larger surface, making it easier on the horse’s back.[/QUOTE]

Oh absolutely! But her little English saddle is too small for me (she is used as a school horse for kids as young as 4) to ever really get comfortable. And also, I just kind of want to try western. My jumping ability is quickly going downhill (I’m 24 going on 90, thanks to a lovely chronic disease) so I want a nice comfy saddle that I can play cowgirl in and just have fun with my horse.

[HPFarmette]

So I know how to measure an English saddle, how do you measure a Western?

[Pocket_Pony]

Go to this page and they have a ton of informative links:

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/western-saddle-guide.html#.VPDaKvnF9qU

Not all 15" saddles are the same seat size, so the answer is “it depends.” It depends on the rise, the balance point, the size & shape & angle of the cantle.
Another good resource for understanding seat size is: http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/understanding-tree-measurements/seat-length-and-thigh-length-relationships/

[HPFarmette]

Thank you Pocket Pony.

[Preposterous_Ponies]

Bit of an update! I have two saddles which I will be trying on Thursday. I haven’t been this excited to ride in a while.

Any good (online, preferably) resources to get me started with the basics of western? I’ve ridden English for 15+ years, so this should be an interesting venture.

[sirbeastmom]

[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;8029641]

Any thoughts on types of saddles that are good? Probably looking at lower end barrel saddles, used.[/QUOTE]

For a lower price saddle that’s still pretty decent, I like the Corriente Saddles. You can get a new one for around $700. I spent an entire summer riding in one, with 4+ hour days in the saddle, and had no complaints. It fit a bunch of horses and no complaints from them either.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;8037631]

Any good (online, preferably) resources to get me started with the basics of western? I’ve ridden English for 15+ years, so this should be an interesting venture.[/QUOTE]

The basics of riding Western?

Really, no different than riding your horse English. They should still respond to your leg and seat aids, and you can still ride two-handed if you want.

The basic principles are the SAME between Western and English. You only get into the particular details and specific differences when you branch off into showing a specific event (ex: reining, dressage, western pleasure, jumping, barrel racing, etc).

[Preposterous_Ponies]

[QUOTE=beau159;8039484]
The basics of riding Western?

Really, no different than riding your horse English. They should still respond to your leg and seat aids, and you can still ride two-handed if you want.

The basic principles are the SAME between Western and English. You only get into the particular details and specific differences when you branch off into showing a specific event (ex: reining, dressage, western pleasure, jumping, barrel racing, etc).[/QUOTE]

I figured that would be the response. Good riding is good riding is good riding, after all. But there are of course differences… I’m hoping to take a few lessons with a western trainer to help me get my head in the game.

I’ve noticed that some people ride with their foot forward, whereas others seem to maintain the shoulders/hip/heel position. Thoughts on this?

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;8039844]
I figured that would be the response. Good riding is good riding is good riding, after all. But there are of course differences… I’m hoping to take a few lessons with a western trainer to help me get my head in the game.

I’ve noticed that some people ride with their foot forward, whereas others seem to maintain the shoulders/hip/heel position. Thoughts on this?[/QUOTE]

Depends if the rider or horse is judged.

If the rider, then there are certain rules for the rider to go by.

If the horse’s performance, well, some of those at times may demand the rider be in a less than “picture perfect” position for the horse to work it’s best.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;8039844]

I’ve noticed that some people ride with their foot forward, whereas others seem to maintain the shoulders/hip/heel position. Thoughts on this?[/QUOTE]

Yup, exactly as Bluey said.

If you are doing a horsemanship class, then you’d better have picture perfect body position the entire time.

If you are doing a reining class, doesn’t really matter if you happen to get a little out of position at times, as long as your horse performs well.

Of course, once should strive to have good body position that doesn’t get in the way of the horse. But then again, perfect body position isn’t always the “correct” position.

I wouldn’t get anywhere with running barrels if I worried about my body being in perfect position all the time!

[wendy]

I grew up riding western, and you won’t find me in a western saddle unless you need some cows roped. English saddles are much more usable and far more comfortable for

but I am thinking I want a comfy saddle to wander around the trails on
any use whatsoever. Western saddles tend to be horrifically uncomfortable and also very difficult to stay on horses while they buck and jump. If you’re doing endurance riding you might notice the endurance saddles tend to resemble English dressage-style saddles. So do Aussie saddles-they look like english saddles.
Good riding is good riding.

[runwayz]

I too just switched over to try western. I ended up buying a nice barrel saddle. I ride in a 17.5 jumper saddle, my western is a 16. Could have done a 15. I like it because it is light, and sits me in a comfortable spot. I can probably use it for anything but roping. It fits my TB and my WB mare. Remember in western, I was told better to go wider and pad up than too narrow. I do use different pads on each one.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=wendy;8042416]
Western saddles tend to be horrifically uncomfortable and also very difficult to stay on horses while they buck and jump. [/QUOTE]

??? I’ve done countless 10-hour days in my Western saddle. I find nothing “horrifically” uncomfortable about it.

If there is no padding on the seat, then sure, it’s not going to be the coziest. But I’ve never had a problem with my saddles not being comfortable.

It’s just a matter of what you are used to.

And I’ve ridden through countless bucking fits in my Western saddle. When I get a good grip on that saddle horn, I ain’t coming off. Period. (although now that I said that, tomorrow will probably be the day. )

@runwayz;8042971

I Remember in western, I was told better to go wider and pad up than too narrow. I do use different pads on each one.

In western, you should go with what fits. :yes:

I’ve got 2 horses and 2 saddles, because they are both so differently shaped that I cannot use the same saddle on both.

While “padding up” can be okay in some cases, if the saddle blatantly doesn’t fit, no amount of padding is going to save it.

[PeanutButterPony]

Wendy has very strong opinions, as always. Strong =/= informed in this case.

OP, if you don’t mind synthetics, a Fabtron Lady Trail saddle is reasonable. They don’t feel cheap to me the way Abetta’s do.

You won’t find a good used Western saddle for 300 any sooner than you’ll find a good used English one for that amount. Double that?Sure.

I ride in my western saddle almost as much as my english, they are equally comfortable.

[Preposterous_Ponies]

Well I think I found the saddle! It’s a Circle Y, absolutely gorgeous and I am hopefully getting it for a steal of a deal. It’s super comfy and fits me and the horse well. It is VERY dirty, as it’s been sitting unused for the last few years. Any tips on cleaning a western saddle? All those nooks and crannies look difficult.

Horse picked up neck reining in no time flat, and she is very well trained to seat and legs so this should be a breeze. The only thing I’m having difficulty with is getting off the damn horse - stepping down is so unnatural for me!

[Flash44]

[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;8048715]
Well I think I found the saddle! It’s a Circle Y, absolutely gorgeous and I am hopefully getting it for a steal of a deal. It’s super comfy and fits me and the horse well. It is VERY dirty, as it’s been sitting unused for the last few years. Any tips on cleaning a western saddle? All those nooks and crannies look difficult.

Horse picked up neck reining in no time flat, and she is very well trained to seat and legs so this should be a breeze. The only thing I’m having difficulty with is getting off the damn horse - stepping down is so unnatural for me![/QUOTE]

WRT cleaning, use a soft toothbrush to rub the cleaner in, and wipe it off with a nappy rag as you go. Do a section at a time. Put some music on, you’ll be there a while.