I show in stock horse shows and have a trail type saddle. I borrowed a cutting saddle and I am surprised at how much easier it is to ride for cow stuff and reining. Now I need to get a cutting saddle but I am not familiar with those brands. I have been talking to friends but I wanted more input. What are your favorite brand of cutting saddles and why? My price range for a new saddle is $1000-1200.
A cutting saddle won’t be that good for other riding and that spike horn can be dangerous.
You may want to check working cow horse saddles, that also have a narrow, taller horn, just not as extreme as cutting saddles do.
Unless you are seriously competitive in cutting, I would leave real cutting saddles for that, get a less extreme one for all other kinds of riding.
At your price range you may find saddles called for this or that, but they won’t be really good ones for you or the horse, like the real well made ones are.
May want to look up also used saddles.
Those would fit better your budget on a good quality saddle.
Your trainer should have plenty of saddles for you to try what can fit you best and still fit horses well.
My post was unclear, I am looking for a used saddle just new to me.
I spent Tuesday discussing with mentors/trainers saddle options and they thought a cutting saddle may be better than a working cow horse saddle. I am borrowing a Billy Cook cutter for now but it is bigger than I need so I want to try to find one a little smaller.
I hope to try some at the next competition since someone at shows usually has something for sale but I wanted input on any brands or problems that I should look for to avoid.
I agree with Bluey.
I sold my cutter board and bought a used cow horse saddle to show in, it is more suited for the reined cow horse, ranch and stock horse.
I ended up with a Tom Block for the same price you’re looking at. I love it. I like it as much or more than the Bob’s I used to ride in years ago. A friend bought a Stray Dog used, not sure how much she paid, she loves it. The kids and boyfriend always want to use it too. Heard good things about the Saddle House saddles. I see a lot of the Jeff Smiths for sale, maybe they are a decent entry level saddle? I sat in a few at their booth but they didn’t fit me right. Same with the Martins.
Hopefully you are able to sit in some to get a feel for what you like.
Edit to add: You clarified your post while I was typing. Nevermind…lol
