Opinions on these 5 saddles

[keepthelegend]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371488884691?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331606570129?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331731526567?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/401032873577?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.octoberhillfarm.net/15"_Circle_Y.html

I know these are all very different with fit regarding the horse. I am still just trying to get a feel for pricing and value - any of these saddles stand out as nice quality and comfortable and reasonably priced? Just looking to trail ride, but it’s active trail riding as I trot and canter quite a bit around the farm.

What’ the main reason for the price difference on the very similar (I think?!) backstitched Herefords?

[Beverley]

If I were picking, the Hereford (looks from the stamp like it was made in 1961) is the best value for my money. My TexTan from 1965, first saddle I ever had, is still serviceable although it doesn’t fit any of my current stock.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=keepthelegend;8444924]

What’ the main reason for the price difference on the very similar (I think?!) backstitched Herefords? [/QUOTE]

I’m confused; you don’t have have multiple Hereford saddles linked. Just one.

Not to mention these are USED saddles with personal listings. Anyone can list the saddle for what price they want for it, or what they think it is worth. So there is going to be a wide variety of prices. Not to mention you have a wide variety of ages. One saddle is from 1961. Another is from 2002. That’s a big difference.

All are good brand names you listed. The Simco’s I am less fond of, just myself personally.

Comfort; you won’t know until you sit in it.

Reasonably priced; well ultimately, that for you to decide how much you want to spend.

[keepthelegend]

Thanks! The darker Hereford?

[keepthelegend]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331606570129?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

That’s the other Hereford. Seems about the same age? I have no idea what I am looking at. I know all the ages are different, I was just curious people’s opinions on the quality and value even if wildly different ages and prices. Hope that makes sense. So if one saddle is priced fairly even if $300 more than another I would like to know that and if one needs to come down $100 in price even though the cheapest of the bunch, that would be great to know as well! So lost with how to value these saddles and it drives me crazy being so uninformed on styles and ages - I love to research and learn and am trying to figure it all out!

[Beverley]

You only linked to one Hereford and yes, it was darker with buckstitching. The saddles in the order linked were Hereford, Crates, Simco and Circle Y.

[keepthelegend]

I added the link in a later post and fixed the original, sorry!

[Beverley]

Ah I see it now, though I’m not sure that second Hereford is one, hard to say from the photos but I can’t see the stamp on the stirrup leather. In any event it is not as nice as the darker one IMO.

Now on the other hand, I see a Windy Ryon saddle for $650, orders of magnitude better quality than anything you’ve posted if it is as advertised.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ryon-Saddle-Ladies-Youth-Fully-Tooled-Nice/121842772716?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D34492%26meid%3D0baef77023c1436182a39d1aee070797%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D121816430577

[keepthelegend]

Thanks for the link and Hereford opinion! What makes the second one nicer (besides less use)? Trying to figure this out!

[Beverley]

[QUOTE=keepthelegend;8445165]
Thanks for the link and Hereford opinion! What makes the second one nicer (besides less use)? Trying to figure this out![/QUOTE]

Well you can’t ever tell for sure based only on photos, but the darker one clearly shows good maintenance, the lighter one shows wear in some places I’d want to examine carefully, like where the stirrup attaches to the leather. The buckstitching is pretty hogged up, but that is simply cosmetic, and fixable if desired. And it’s nearly twice the price. In general, the caution is there is likely no seller warranty on anything you buy on the internet, and no way of knowing from the pictures if any saddle has a fatal flaw, principally a broken tree, for example.

[keepthelegend]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272077909213?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Would something like this be comfortable enough for trail riding?

[aktill]

These are all very much “feet on the dashboard” balance saddles. Not what I’d want to take into the mountains, personally.

[Beverley]

[QUOTE=keepthelegend;8445318]
http://www.ebay.com/itm/272077909213?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Would something like this be comfortable enough for trail riding?[/QUOTE]

Entirely a matter of personal preference. I ‘have’ trail ridden in similar saddles, and been fine, but my own western saddles have a higher cantle, because I am known to do some gnarly mountain climbing and like the support.

[keepthelegend]

I am pretty much just riding around my farm and doing the occasional organized trail ride. I am really an English rider, which is why I am so clueless! I like the vintage saddles looks and price wise and I read about how older Tex Tans, Simcos and Circle Y’s are higher quality than new, but then also keep hearing they have a seat rise that will put me in chair/uncomfortable position. So confused!

[RPM]

Why not buy a saddle locally? Try it on your horse for his comfort and yours as well as weight (western saddles can be heavy). Check local tack shops, feed stores, craigslist, consignment shop, your local farm and livestock newspaper’s classifieds. I have seen a couple of fairly nice saddles at pawn shops.

I wouldn’t buy a new saddle online unless I had tried an identical one. I would certainly not buy a used one online unless I knew both the saddle and the seller.

I have enjoyed trail riding in English saddles. People trail ride in English saddles in England all the time. Why does “trail riding” equal “cowboy” so often in America?

[js]

Bob’s saddles are really nice saddles but I’m guessing the one you posted weighs in excess of 30 lbs. Keep that in mind when looking at western saddles. Anything that is a roping or show saddle is going to be heavy. The Circle Y saddles are nice, the new ones aren’t the quality the old ones were but still good saddles that will last many years. I own two Circle Y saddles. Just be sure what ever you buy you can return it.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=keepthelegend;8446565]
I am pretty much just riding around my farm and doing the occasional organized trail ride. I am really an English rider, which is why I am so clueless! I like the vintage saddles looks and price wise and I read about how older Tex Tans, Simcos and Circle Y’s are higher quality than new, but then also keep hearing they have a seat rise that will put me in chair/uncomfortable position. So confused![/QUOTE]

As long as you don’t need to rope, why not use an English saddle?

I would say, I have started all colts and worked cattle in my now 40+ years old Stubben Rex more than I have in any western saddle, because it is easier to manage and what I am most used to.
Yes, I have heard snickers and some laugh at it, but as long as you work the cattle right, it really doesn’t matter.
Those that made fun of me got used to it.

One reason a western saddle is better than an English one is when you are riding mostly slowly, just sitting there and you are a heavier person.
Then a western saddle seems to distribute the weight a little better.
How a person rides, if light or heavy, makes much difference also.

My point, don’t hurry, keep riding with your English saddle until you are very sure you found just what you and your horse likes best.
Wonderful if you had a chance to try one out.

Once you know what you like, then buy one from someone that you can try the saddle and return if necessary.

I know http://cowdogsaddles.com/saddles-tn.php to do that, or they did with the one I ordered.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=keepthelegend;8446565]
I am pretty much just riding around my farm and doing the occasional organized trail ride. I am really an English rider, which is why I am so clueless! I like the vintage saddles looks and price wise and I read about how older Tex Tans, Simcos and Circle Y’s are higher quality than new, but then also keep hearing they have a seat rise that will put me in chair/uncomfortable position. So confused![/QUOTE]

As long as you don’t need to rope, why not use an English saddle?

I would say, I have started all colts and worked cattle in my now 40+ years old Stubben Rex more than I have in any western saddle, because it is easier to manage and what I am most used to.
Yes, I have heard snickers and some laugh at it, but as long as you work the cattle right, it really doesn’t matter.
Those that made fun of me got used to it.

One reason a western saddle is better than an English one is when you are riding mostly slowly, just sitting there and you are a heavier person.
Then a western saddle seems to distribute the weight a little better.
How a person rides, if light or heavy, makes much difference also.

My point, don’t hurry, keep riding with your English saddle until you are very sure you found just what you and your horse likes best.
Wonderful if you had a chance to try one out.

Once you know what you like, then buy one from someone that you can try the saddle and return if necessary.

I know codogsaddles.com lets to do that, or they did with the one I ordered.

[Draftmare]

I would stay away from anything with buck stitching, as the resale value on them is very low. Also, if you ever decide to show, even at the local value, buck stitching is generally frowned upon.

[Bluey]

A bit more on saddles and saddle trees:

https://timberlinesaddletree.wordpress.com

Saddles are not all the same, so even a saddle of the same model, tree and saddle maker may be different from others.