If you have $2500 to buy a saddle with...

[Ready_To_Riot]

Would you get a custom saddle (loxley) or something else?

I sold my county and I said I wasn’t going to go custom, but I’ve finally been able to get something set up with a highly recommended fitter (the Kate Wooten) and will be having her out to do tracings in a few weeks. I’ve been excited about a loxley for over a year, but had scheduling issues. Now that it’s time to finally start the process, I’m anxious. It will be my most expensive saddle purchase (got a great deal on my county!) and while it’s not a lot to some, it’s a lot to me when it comes to something that I’m not 500% certain on.

I should be certain. I’m guaranteed to end up with a saddle that fits my horse and me and is pretty and everything I want and need in a saddle… but it’s a lot of money. I could spend less on a nice used saddle that I can get fitted to my horse, or spend the same on another saddle. I could literally buy a dressage and jumping saddle used (albion) for the price of the loxley. Or I can just spend the money and have a happy pony and happy me!

Honestly, I think my hesitation comes from I’m very strict on budget. I’ve spent all of my adult life living pay check to paycheck and buying the nicest cheapest thing I can. Because I had to. I’m not in that position now, and while I’m still paying off credit cards from that era of my life, I don’t have to live so tightly, but I still do

So what would you do? Talk me off my ledge!

[Tory]

I totally understand freaking out about purchasing something that is expensive to you.

But something like good tack (even boots and breaches) can last years. What helps me get over the initial sticker shock is to look at the cost over a long period of time. If you spent $2500 on a saddle, rode 4x/week and had it for 10 years, each ride would be about $1 or so. Something like a good saddle is an investment, so it’s worth it.

Enjoy shopping!

[Lusoluv]

As a former saddle fitter, and budget-minded person…I always buy used saddles. If you’re lucky and you and your horse are not “hard fitters”, great deals (~ 50% savings) can be had on gently used saddles. I’ve owned several horses over the years and for my most recent mare, got a lightly used Devoucoux dressage saddle and Antares jump saddle that fit her nicely. The Dev was $2500 instead of $4900 - looks new. The Antares was $1700 instead of $3700.

I don’t see the value for the $ in going custom UNLESS you or your horse have very unique needs. Not saying that a custom isn’t very NICE have…just saying it’s not the best bang for your $$ otherwise. Proper tack can make the world of difference in one’s riding and that can be found relatively inexpensively if you know how to shop. I’d much rather put the money I saved into training and other horse-related expenses. Hope that helps…

[Highflyer]

Not everyone is happy with their custom saddle. And it doesn’t always work forever, either. I agree with Lusolov that if you don’t NEED a custom it might make more sense to get a good quality used saddle.

[Foxglove6]

I’m impressed that you can find a custom Loxley for $2500. We have a fitter in our area that told me she had nothing for my $2k budget, even used.

I agree that if you can find a good fit in used, do that instead.

[soloudinhere]

I won’t buy a custom saddle ever again.

I’d rather try exactly what I’m buying and know that I liked riding in it and the horse liked going in it.

No matter how much you specify on the order, unless you buy the demo saddle, what comes in will not be identical.

[Backstage]

Personally, I’m very gun shy regarding custom saddles. I don’t think I’ve spoken to a single person who went that route and DIDN’T have problems. I’m sure those people exist, and perhaps they are just less vocal. Still. I would rather buy something used, be able to ride in it and know that I like it/my horse likes it.

I’m sure this might change if I had a horse with really particular needs that would be near impossible to meet without going custom. IT doesn’t sound like you are in that boat, however.

And since you mentioned it, I definitely wouldn’t opt to go the custom route at a higher price if I still had credit cards to pay off.

[devvie]

There was a thread in eventing forum recently that expressed a lot of ifs over the “pros” custom made.

[Ready_To_Riot]

The problem is my horse is kind of hard to fit. Nothing off the rack will be ready to go… so I’ve learned. She is a mutton withered rhino who is built down hill. She will need a hoop tree and will need the panels to be just right or else you’ve got a pissy pony who will buck you off. My county was perfect for her because I bought it from someone who had basically my horse in male form. With all her recent issues, I can’t afford for the saddle not to fit just so. I opted to sell the county and replace it with something else due to her narrowing as she lost weight. I did so specifically to get the loxley because I want bigger blocks than the county has.

The custom loxleys start at 2315, so after tax it brings it to right at $2500 just a hair over. The only upgrade I might want is having Velcro blocks with adds $180 to the price. I checked all my bases before deciding to go that route as when I spoke with county and CWD on saddles, the price magically went up $1000-2000 after the “extras” were added. I didn’t want that sticker shock nor did I want to waste Kate’s time if ultimately what I wanted was out of the price range I was willing to spend.

Devvie, this is the Eventing forum what was the thread called? I’ll go hunt it down

The only reason I’m comforted by this custom purchase, because I have read other bliss horror stories or just custom saddle stories, is because it’s Kate. She’s been doing this for a good minute, all of my friends use her and have been more than pleased with their bliss/loxley purchases and Kate flat out said that if I’m not 100% happy with the saddle when it arrives she just buys it, refunds my deposit, and uses it as a demo or sells it. She said that sometimes people ride in the demo and order a saddle and they (the buyer and Kate) were just wrong and they need to start over. That was very comforting to me.

My worry is if I opt to get a cheaper saddle, I’m going to also be dissatisfied in the long run and still have only made a small dent in my credit card debt…

[runNjump86]

RtR I feel your pain, I do. I dream of one day having a custom saddle, the problem is I dream of a $$$$$ Voltaire. When you have a hard to fit horse custom definitely has it’s appeal. My guy has huge TB withers, big shoulders with a slight dip behind, and I’m all femur. So basically, unless it’s extra-extra forward it won’t fit me.

Is your mare going to continue to narrow down? That is something to consider, since it may not fit her in six months or a year if she drops more weight.

[soloudinhere]

Wasn’t this the horse that wasn’t currently rideable and you’re not sure if she will be rideable?

That would be the last horse I would buy a custom saddle for, realistically speaking.

[Saskatoonian]

Hmmm, those statements sound just like the ones made to a friend who just spent a year trying to get a refund from the saddle seller / fitter/ general BSer who made them. Funny thing, lots of other people used her and were happy with her too.

I wouldn’t buy a custom saddle (and I love my custom Stackhouse). I’d buy used.

[mychestnutvalentine]

I just bought a 2015 Devoucoux Chiberta with the D3D for 2,500. It fits my super hard to fit mare superbly.

[Madison]

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;9043576]
My worry is if I opt to get a cheaper saddle, I’m going to also be dissatisfied in the long run and still have only made a small dent in my credit card debt…[/QUOTE]

Going used doesn’t mean getting a cheaper saddle, it often means getting a higher-end saddle in good condition that you could not have afforded new. Used also provides instant gratification because you don’t have to wait for them to make it.

I’m a weird fit in EVERYTHING, unfortunately, so I had no choice but to go custom for my saddle and my boots. Saddle turned out great (my particular CWD rep was awesome), Der Dau boots were a nightmare. So I’m a huge proponent of finding a known quantity so that there is no doubt what you are getting and how it fits. Custom orders are an expensive risk, so personally I would try to shop used options before giving up and going custom.

[kcmel]

Having had to retire my horse about 3 months after his custom saddle arrived, I will never buy new again!

[Ready_To_Riot]

Soloudinhere, it’s kind of for her. Both of my horses are very similarly built (both quarter horses) with no wither, flat backs, and built down hill ever so slightly. (I have a type! Lol). The only difference is slightly more narrow. As in one will fit me the other will fit m. It makes logical sense to me to have it fitted to the hurt mare (who is back under saddle at the walk BTW!) so that I can throw a half pad under it and use it for the other horse. I’ve been doing this for years with no ill effects and worse case other horse will be retired and I just have it sized down to the other horse. Much easier (and cheaper) to narrow the saddle than it is to widen it.

The are also lots of brands I won’t buy. Devs fall in that category. Along with any other foam panel saddle. Due to having to have a hoop tree, my options are also pretty limited with used. Also, if I’m going to spend $2500, I’m going to get the loxley. There would be no reason not to. So my budget for used would drop down to $1500 total. That would include shipping and any adjustments that it would need and that is not a number that is easily worked with to fit all my needs. Taking a saddle on trial and paying for shipping and everything adds up pretty quickly which is why it made more sense to just get the custom saddle. The amount just terrifies me I guess as $1600 is the most I’ve spent on a saddle. Which is more than all my horses sale prices combined!! Hahaha

[runNjump86]

Sounds like you’re pretty set on getting the Loxley. Will Kate have something very, very similar for you to ride in? Basically, what exactly are you customizing? The look? The flap? Colors? Wool panels can always be refitted, so I think if you get a tree that works for your horses then you’re pretty safe.

I’ve heard Kate is amazing to work with, so good luck to you!!!

[Ready_To_Riot]

I’m kind of set on it. lol I just wanted to get input and see if anyone could talk me out of it. I guess I just ended up talking myself more into it. Basically the tree and flocking will be what is custom to her. It’ll have special welting and whatnot but I really don’t care about any of that. As far as which saddle I want, if I remember correctly from Rolex I either want the jump with large block or the fox hunter with the blocks it comes standard with. Most likely I’ll go with the fox hunter as long as it rides the same way it sits on a stand. I haven’t asked, but I assume she has at the very least the base models so I’ll know how they ride. My only need in a saddle is one I can flat decent in, doesn’t tip me forward,and has blocks I can brace myself against when my horse tries to throw me out of the tack. Other than that o couldn’t care less about what it looks like or what features it has.

[vineyridge]

My suggestion would be to talk it all over with Kate Wooten, listen very carefully, and benefit from her expertise when you make your final decision. She might be able to point you in a direction that is both cheaper and something you hadn’t considered.

[Right_on_Target]

I have purchased 3 full custom saddles (from another saddler) so on the one hand I say Go Custom!

I’ve been extremely happy with all of them. There was a snafu on the first, and I admit that it was because I sent the wrong measurements and they didn’t mention that I would have to be an NBA player to fit in the saddle. But other than that I’ve been extremely pleased.

On the other hand, I would avoid putting all of your eggs in one basket. And by that I mean that if the saddle is a struggle to afford, then don’t do it. Your horse may change size and then you won’t be happy. Or it may not fit.

My latest pony was a narrow or medium narrow when I got him and a year later he’s a medium-wide. I had one saddle made for him, and then had to get a second.

Custom saddles are expensive and risky endeavors, so my vote is always to limit the cost to an amount you can comfortably afford to lose.

My custom saddles have cost between $1500 and $2300, and I have to say that I was sweating bullets waiting for the more expensive one to arrive. Hoping, hoping, hoping that it fit!