help a newbie out--saddle recommendation

[ElementFarm]

Hi all, I’m a long time H/J rider and reader/poster on those forums. This is my first venture on the Western side…

I have a 3yo Oldenburg gelding. He’s about 16.3hh in front, and very butt high at this time. I would like to do some of his early under-saddle work in a western saddle for added rider security, as he can buck like a champ (on the lunge and in turn out)

I’m checking out ebay deals, as I don’t want to spend a ton on something that will be used occassionally for a year or so, and maybe on trails. But, I don’t know what size I need and the terms confuse me. What are QH bars?
so, I use a 17 or 17.5 inch saddle in English/close contact saddle. What size do I need in a western seat?
And what kind of bars/style would my average-backed sporthorse need?
Also, is there a particular style that would be preferable? Or to be avoided? I see lots of trail/pleasure/reining/working saddles out there, but I’m not sure of the difference.
Finally, keeping in mind I’m don’t need anything fancy and want used/inexpensive, but any brands I should seek out or avoid?
thanks!

[SuckerForHorses]

English seats for the rider are usually about 2" bigger than your respective western seat size. So, I would go with a 15" or a 16" western seat for you since your english seat is a 17-17.5. Depending on your body type, you may like a 15 or 16 better than the other. I am slim, long legs, I rode in a 17" english, but prefer a 15" western over a 16". I can sit ok in a 16", but some brands feel too big.

If you’ve been riding english, with a nice leg under you, you will probably prefer an equitation saddle, which will put you more into a dressage leg. The reiners and trail saddles will have a fender that is sitting a tad more forward, likely to put you into somewhat of a chair position. If you want to remain “correct” I would go with an equitation saddle.

You can find some nice roughout “training” saddles with the equitation seat placement almost anywhere that sells western tack online, like here: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/training-saddles.html

Regarding your horse’s size, I know nothing about Oldenburgs, but this page may help you decide which size bars your horse would likely fit to: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/western-saddle-fitting-tree-sizes.html

[Melelio]

What size saddle does he use now in English? The width? Does he have a very flat back toward the cantle? Any sloping from withers to center of back?

[NoSuchPerson]

I bought a wintec western saddle to use to start my current horse after a friend who had bought one to ride in while his custom saddle was being shipped off for some repair work recommended it. I found one for about $200. It’s a cheap saddle, yes, but the fit was actually quite good and it gave me that extra sense of security I needed for those initial rides. Plus, it was so cheap that I didn’t worry about it getting beat up.

My fears were groundless, though, as my boy’s attitude towards being ridden was mostly along the lines of, “Eh. Whatever.”