New to western - Tips?

[Resilient]

I’m a hunter rider who recently fell in love with western riding. I was wondering if you could give me tips on brands for saddles, headstalls, etc., as well as tree sizing.

1. I’ve heard that for western saddles you would subtract 2" from your english saddle seat size, is this correct?

2. My horse is a TB with high withers, goes in a wide tree english saddle. What tree size in a western saddle should I look for?

3. Affordable used western saddle brands to look for? I would prefer a leather saddle and also don’t want to spend a ton. Doesn’t have to be beautiful, just something for trail rides and the occasional western ride.

4. Headstall size? Horse uses a cob size english bridle, though could fit into pony size in most brands. Also suggested brands for headstalls would be appreciated as well, and again I do not mind a used headstall.

Just as an aside, horse does neck rein and all that, I just don’t have western tack and I am looking to enjoy my horse and would like to start riding western more.

[Beverley]

1. Pretty generally correct. I usually use 17 inches English and 15 western. Some caveats though depending on saddle style and brand. Your western saddle is the right seat size if you can get two fingers’ width between your thigh and the base of the pommel.

2. ‘Withered’ horses would generally want ‘semi-qh’ rather than ‘full-qh’ bars. But the devil really is in the details, again depending on tree style and saddle style (ranch v pleasure v reining and more).

3. You might find decent used leather saddles in Tex Tan and Circle Y among others. Courts and Crates, for example.

4. Western bridles don’t typically distinguish cob vs. full horse size as we have in English- pretty much every qh I’ve had has been a cob size, my OTTB was full size, but I have western headstalls that will adjust to fit both sizes. Weaver brand is decent, I see here a low cost option that I’d buy (if I needed one) just for daily putzing.

http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/1011/BB3350?utm_source=shopzilla&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopzilla%2Bdata%2Bfeed

Or if you want higher end with more bling…

http://www.calranch.com/weaver-texas-star-concho-browband-lthr-headstall?zmam=87863173&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=6871007&gclid=COys49v8pcMCFZFefgod1YYA_A

I’m attempting a minimalist response but happy to clarify if need be.

[BayRoan]

I agree with Beverly, but will add that prior to selecting a western saddle, be sure to get to a tack store, tack sale, or trade show and actually sit in several different styles. The type of seat and placement of fenders varies quite a bit and depending on how you are built, will be comfortable, tip you forward or put you in a chair seat.

Also, if you’re looking at used headstalls, look for Champion/Champion Turf Equipment. They made good tack that will last practically forever if taken care of properly.

[Rusty15]

[QUOTE=Resilient;7969475]
I’m a hunter rider who recently fell in love with western riding. I was wondering if you could give me tips on brands for saddles, headstalls, etc., as well as tree sizing.

1. I’ve heard that for western saddles you would subtract 2" from your english saddle seat size, is this correct?
   I’d say this is about accurate. It depends. I ride in a 18" english saddle and am comfortable in a 15.5" western.

2. My horse is a TB with high withers, goes in a wide tree english saddle. What tree size in a western saddle should I look for?
   You have to take into consideration not only the width of the gullet but the shape. Here is a very good article on western saddle fit.

3. Affordable used western saddle brands to look for? I would prefer a leather saddle and also don’t want to spend a ton. Doesn’t have to be beautiful, just something for trail rides and the occasional western ride.
   Not sure what a “ton” is to you, but I would recommend new or used Cactus, Circle Y, Crates, Martin, Billy Cook, Shiloh, Deb Sibley, H3, Caldwell, Double J. I would not recommend anything you can purchase new under $800. You will be sacrificing quality and safety for you and your horse.

4. Headstall size? Horse uses a cob size english bridle, though could fit into pony size in most brands. Also suggested brands for headstalls would be appreciated as well, and again I do not mind a used headstall.
   Typically headstalls only come in one size. It does vary from brand to brand though. Weaver Leather is a well known, reasonably priced company with good tack. Teskeys.com has a good selection of reasonably priced tack. SmartPak’s Rockin SP line is supposed to be very nice too.

Just as an aside, horse does neck rein and all that, I just don’t have western tack and I am looking to enjoy my horse and would like to start riding western more.[/QUOTE]

I hope that helped! Also there are some good facebook tack swaps for finding used saddles and tack for good prices. I highly recommend looking there.

[Flash44]

[QUOTE=Resilient;7969475]
I’m a hunter rider who recently fell in love with western riding. I was wondering if you could give me tips on brands for saddles, headstalls, etc., as well as tree sizing.

1. I’ve heard that for western saddles you would subtract 2" from your english saddle seat size, is this correct?

2. My horse is a TB with high withers, goes in a wide tree english saddle. What tree size in a western saddle should I look for?

3. Affordable used western saddle brands to look for? I would prefer a leather saddle and also don’t want to spend a ton. Doesn’t have to be beautiful, just something for trail rides and the occasional western ride.

4. Headstall size? Horse uses a cob size english bridle, though could fit into pony size in most brands. Also suggested brands for headstalls would be appreciated as well, and again I do not mind a used headstall.

Just as an aside, horse does neck rein and all that, I just don’t have western tack and I am looking to enjoy my horse and would like to start riding western more.[/QUOTE]

Welcome! What types of western riding do you plan on doing? There are different types of western saddles depending on if you want to do trail riding, showing, cutting, reining, etc. The best place to start is horsesaddleshop.com where you can see a wide variety of saddles and prices. They also have used saddles. The website has templates that you can download to see what type of tree is best suited for your horse.

The bridle question is a little trickier - I have a mare who is borderline cob/pony, and had a really hard time finding a bridle that fits her. You may have to kick some tires, or at least get one that has an adjustment buckle on both sides of the head.

[Pocket_Pony]

For saddles, I would go to a tack store and sit in a lot of different ones to see what you might like before just going out and buying one - not only for sitting in, but for tacking up! Saddles with a big square skirt and lots of leather are going to be very heavy. Saddles with a rounded skirt will be lighter.

You’ll find there’s a lot of variety in seat size with western saddles - my jumping saddle is 17" (gosh, maybe 17.5"?) and my dressage saddle is 18" - and I’ve got a 15" western saddle that is being made for me now. The saddler thought I could go smaller but I like room to move around so I’d rather have it a tad bigger vs. a tad smaller. It isn’t so much how long the seat is, but the opening between the base of the cantle (where it meets the skirting) and the base of the fork . . . how much room is there for your thigh? You could have a more upright seat/cantle or a more angled seat/cantle with the same “seat” size, but one could feel like a tighter fit than the other. Also notice how the fenders hang down - is there freedom of movement or do they feel sort of stuck? How about where they put your leg? And the horn? Do you need one to hold onto like if you’re going to do cutting? Or are you going to rope and so need one for that? Just trail riding then it might not matter (although you probably wouldn’t want one so high that if you have to bend over while going through brush/low branches that you’d impale yourself!).

For your horse, there are a lot of factors to consider - gullet height, gullet width, bar angle, rigging, flare, rock, etc. It is mind-boggling!

I have no advice on bridles. Mac has a big head but a regular horse size bridle fits on him. I haven’t tried his bridle on any of my other horses yet.

For a bit, I use a loose ring Myler comfort snaffle that Mac likes. I do use slobber straps and a mecate and a chin strap, but the chin strap I guess is just for looks because I’ve never pulled a bit through a horse’s mouth so don’t really buy into that explanation.

My first western trail saddle was a Specialized and I liked it very much for a while. I had bought it a bit too big for me because I thought Mr. PoPo might ride in it someday but since he never did I’ve been on the search for another saddle. I’ve tried a lot of them. I bought a Crestridge but it just wasn’t a good fit in the tree for Mac so I sold that. I finally just went to a saddler and got word a couple days ago that my saddle should be ready in a couple weeks! I got a JJ Maxwell and will post pictures when I get it. This one better work or I might just give up.

[KIloBright]

Depends on saddle style I ride in A 16 inch western saddle , and my Stubbin is 17 inches
Cob size is smaller head size then regular stock horse size, as grazing muzzles that are cob size, don’t fit my stock horses, and they have nice heads
I agree on reading up on some of the different parameters on western saddle fits before you start shopping
There are many things to consider ,when chosing tree type, besides gullet size. Trees come in different twists, that has the tree conforming to the horse’s back, along the entire length of that tree
I would stay away from synthetic trees,and buy good quality used, versus spend the same on some cheap new saddle
Far as headstall, for pleasure trail riding, stay away from one eared bridles and ones that don’t have a throat latch. A nice working bridle, with a browband and throat latch and no chicago screws
Many good headstalls allow for you to punch in some extra holes for adjustment, or you might wish to look for a western bridle made for an Arabian
Also, try and find a western saddle that through the newer design , allows close contact, instead of all that bulk under your legs
The Billy Cooks are nice saddles for the price. My show saddle is a Billy Cook, and my everyday riding/training saddle, is a Balance Ride saddle, made by the well known Alberta saddle maker, Vic Bennett, and according to the specs of Pat whize
Good luck finding tack, and have fun!

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Resilient;7969475]
I’m a hunter rider who recently fell in love with western riding. I was wondering if you could give me tips on brands for saddles, headstalls, etc., as well as tree sizing.

1. I’ve heard that for western saddles you would subtract 2" from your english saddle seat size, is this correct?

2. My horse is a TB with high withers, goes in a wide tree english saddle. What tree size in a western saddle should I look for?

3. Affordable used western saddle brands to look for? I would prefer a leather saddle and also don’t want to spend a ton. Doesn’t have to be beautiful, just something for trail rides and the occasional western ride.

4. Headstall size? Horse uses a cob size english bridle, though could fit into pony size in most brands. Also suggested brands for headstalls would be appreciated as well, and again I do not mind a used headstall.

Just as an aside, horse does neck rein and all that, I just don’t have western tack and I am looking to enjoy my horse and would like to start riding western more.[/QUOTE]

You may consider taking some lessons from a western trainer, where you can decide what kind of western riding you may want to do and try different saddles.

You say your horse is trained “western”, but which of the many ways to train “western” is he?
A good trainer can help you sort thru all your questions.
You won’t have to try to reinvent the wheel and your horse will thank you for it.

If you come from some English riding discipline, not just having ridden around in an English saddle, but had instruction and maybe competed in dressage or hunter/jumper, imagine if a western pleasure rider decided it looks like fun to jump and thinks her horse is good at that, so just buys an English saddle and sets up a couple barrels on their sides and tries to get their horse to jump it.
Would it not make more sense if she went to a hunter/jumper trainer, had her horse evaluated and learned to jump?

The same with “western” riding.
At least give it a try and see what you find in your neck of the woods.

When thinking about which saddle, remember it also has to fit the horse well, not just the rider and be appropriate for what you will do, be it western pleasure, roping, barrel racing, trail riding, etc.
“Western” is not one size fits all.

[saddleup]

And just to complicate matters further, be careful when you say you’re going to do western riding. “Western Riding” is an actual class at the breed shows, and it’s very technical and difficult and specialized. But if you say you want to ride Western, it’s more general. (check out the class on youtube, though. It’s pretty cool.)

[Resilient]

Thank you all for the tips! I’m mainly looking to do trail riding/stuff out of the ring. I took a few western lessons over the past month and I think it will be a nice change for both horse and I. I mostly want to get out of the ring (which horse enjoys) but after a month of riding in western tack, I would like to have western tack for those long (half-day or all day) rides. I definitely don’t plan to show or anything, and I won’t be rushing into buying tack. I’d just like to start the search process and if something comes along that I really like/works for horse and I, then go from there.