Please educate me on Western saddles! (I FOUND ONE!)

[Justmyluck]

Ok so hopefully someone here knows something!

So basically I have a horse who I need to start venturing out on to introduce him to new things. We have been doing lots of desenstization on the ground but for him that doesnt corrilate to much to undersaddle. He is a spooker the spin and run away type. My saddle is an old super slick stubben while I can ride most problems in it this saddle, not this one im not.

I want something secure to help hold me in place, to give me a better fighting chance persay. All I know so far about western is that people think he needs semi-QH bars because he is narrow for his breed, 1/2 Welsh cob and is six so he is done growing.

Seat size for me? No clue
Skirt types? I think round cause he has a short back?
Seat type? Secure please!
Brand name? Noo freaking clue

Help! I do though know how to cinch one up but thats about it. :yes:

[Rebelpaintrider]

my suggestion if you want a secure seat… go for a barrel saddle (or a roper) but barrel saddles have a nice deep seat. Western saddles tend to run a little bigger than english, so I’d go down a half to a full size seat.

Brand names don’t really matter in my opinion, but If I was going to spend the money to get a western, I’d go for what I wanted. I like Circle Y, Billy Cook, But there are a lot out there, try a few and see what feels better to you.

I also agree with Semi-QH bars.

Hope this kind of helps. Also I may add, if you get a western saddle, make sure it has a bucking strap! They will save you! and your saddle from coming up off the horses back, the bucking strap is the strap that goes behind the cinch around the horses belly, it holds the back half of the saddle to the horse. They are a godsend! Trust me :lol:

Hope this helped!
-T

[Dramapony_misty]

From a former cowgirl…

I started off western so I may be able to help a bit…
First of all, what seat size is your Stubben? This may help determine what size seat to look for in western. For example, I take a 17" jumping saddle, but my western saddle is 15". You also have to take into consideration the thickness of your thighs since you have to be able to comfortably fit between the pommel and the cantle.

Skirt…this will also depend on your seat size. The smaller the seat size, the more room you will have for a skirt. A picture of your horse may help.

Seat type…suede or synthetic suede.

Brand name: this all depends upon fit and what you are looking for. If you are just looking for a “training”/trail saddle, the synthetics are pretty nice…Wintec, Weaver, Abetta, Big horn, and King Series.
For leather, my current show saddle is a Circle Y. I have also ridden in some nice Bona Allen, Big Horn, TexTan, and Simco saddles.

If what you’re really looking for is a saddle that will sort of help lock you in, you may want to check out the Aussie stock saddles. The deep seat and big “pommel flaps” (called poleys) really keep you secure and as long as your legs stay tight to the saddle, it’s near impossible to be tossed off. I have one of these too (with the horn) and I have yet to be dislodged. It does take some getting used to as you sort of have to keep you feet out in front of you more, but once you have it, they are SOOO comfy. (forget about traditional “good” equitation…if you read up on how the saddles work and how the Aussie cowboys ride, it makes perfect sense).

[Justmyluck]

Haha bucking strap on him it would probably cause him to buck. =) Tee hee

So how much am i looking to spend. I do not want to spend a forture because once he learns to settle we will continue down our english path. I was thinking 500 but like I said I have not a clue.

But I want something solid that isnt cheap and wont hurt him you know?

[MSP]

Size? A Western 15" saddle equates to a 17" English. Take the size of your English and subtract 2".

Brand? Any thing in your price range but stay away from Mexican made or no brand. I have a Dakota and love it. They are well made but not big $. http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/dakotasaddles.html

Go to a tack store and sit in some saddles. I would suggest a roper or trail saddle.

Measure your horses back and measure the saddles to determine if the saddle will be too long for your horse. Google western saddle fitting you will find plenty of helpful info.

I have a large roping saddle and I find it locks me in very well. I find the well wrapped fenders work more to lock me in than the seat does.

[Justmyluck]

[QUOTE=Dramapony_misty;4875171]
I started off western so I may be able to help a bit…
First of all, what seat size is your Stubben? This may help determine what size seat to look for in western. For example, I take a 17" jumping saddle, but my western saddle is 15". You also have to take into consideration the thickness of your thighs since you have to be able to comfortably fit between the pommel and the cantle.

Skirt…this will also depend on your seat size. The smaller the seat size, the more room you will have for a skirt. A picture of your horse may help.

Seat type…suede or synthetic suede.

Brand name: this all depends upon fit and what you are looking for. If you are just looking for a “training”/trail saddle, the synthetics are pretty nice…Wintec, Weaver, Abetta, Big horn, and King Series.
For leather, my current show saddle is a Circle Y. I have also ridden in some nice Bona Allen, Big Horn, TexTan, and Simco saddles.[/QUOTE]

Stubben is a 17 inch but rides bigger because of the flat seat because I used to hate feeling locked in. I would like a seatbelt now pleaseeeeeeeee =)

Pony:

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo133/ghoofs/Jubilee/Jubilee.jpg

This one shows his back kind of.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo133/ghoofs/Jubilee/closetrot.jpg

So synthetics arent as bad as I’ve heard?

Thank you guys soooooo much I appreciate it.

[Justmyluck]

I was hopeing to go used, to get a nicer saddle for the money. However most ones either look a bit like junk of have a tremendous amount of silver and tooling.

[Bluey]

You have never ridden in a western saddle and think you can ride in one better than in your Stubben?

I will take my Stubben over any western saddle any day when training horses.

It would be hard to think that you could get used to a very different saddle and ride a horse thru some hijinks too at the same time.

How about using that money to get a little bit more training for your horse by a professional?

If you insist on that western saddle, there are so many kinds, that are fit for all kinds of rider’s behinds and western activities, that finding what would fit you requires trying them on for size.:yes:

I use a 16" Stubben Rex for starting colts, a 14 1/2" modified association ladies ranch saddle for general ranch work and roping and a 16" close contact Bob’s reiner for reining horses, that are saddles with a deep middle, but large enough not to bind, although you don’t want to tie anything to the horn with them.:eek:
Those reiner saddles come large also because they distribute the rider’s weight over more of the back and so help the horses move better for their disciplines.

For what you want, it depends on what may fit your horse and your own behind, hard to say over the internet.:no:

After reading your subsequent posts and seeing the pictures, I wonder if you could try any one western saddle on someone else’s horse, that they let you ride it around a little bit, before you go buying one?
You may not like the feel of those saddles at all for training.

[twofatponies]

I got a cheapie but goodie from Stagecoach West:

https://lightning.safe-order.net/stagecoachwest/catalog/index.php?cPath=95_115

The “Bar J” half-synthetic/half-leather trail “lite” series. They come in a variety of sizes (trace your withers and send it in to have them select the right tree size).

It’s lightweight, hardy, super secure and comfy, and about $600.

Because the skirt is synthetic (thus soft and flexible), it is an easy fit on short-backed horses. Because parts are synthetic, it doesn’t weigh a ton, and is easy to lift onto the horse. But because the seat and other parts are leather it doesn’t have that insubstantial feel some all-synthetic saddles have (Wintecs, for example, have always felt “spongy” to me).

I always use a back girth (lunge in it a few times and they’ll get used to it - and ALWAYS have the connector strap that links the front and back girths so the back girth doesn’t slide backwards and hit the tickly spots!). I always use a breast collar, too. Have yet to “need” it, but it doesn’t hurt to get a horse used to having all kinds of stuff on them.

I’ve used this saddle every day for years, even hunter paced in it (no jumping!), and it doesn’t show any signs of wear. For the kind of use you are talking about, it might be a good possibility.

[Dramapony_misty]

OH he’s pretty!

I agree that you will probably be looking at a 15" seat.

As far as synthetic vs. leather? There will always be synthetic-haters out there and I think it really depends upon the quality of the synthetic you get. If I were out riding for hours everyday, would I choose a synthetic? Probably not. But for trail riding or the occasional training session…nothing wrong with that. They tend to weight less than a leather saddle so that may be a consideration (and cost less too).

[CR_Gorge_Girl]

For security I would recommend a barrel saddle. They have higher cantles which equals a deeper seat, and most barrel saddle have suede/ fake suede seats, and often rough out fenders which provides more stick.

Specific to barrel saddles brand: Billy Cook (this is what I have…but there are a lot of “fake” billy cooks out there, make sure the saddle says “Billy Cook. Sulphur, OK”, Circle Y is a very good brand as well. Just have to sit in them, and try them on your horse and see what fits and feels the best.

[Justmyluck]

No I’ve ridden in plenty of western saddles but have never had to purchase one before. That and I’ve always wanted a more comfortable trail saddle so I can kill two birds with one stone. =)

Its the spin that kills me and I figured with the quick turns barrel racers, cutters ect deal with there must be a reason they arent sitting in slick Stubbens.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Justmyluck;4875223]
No I’ve ridden in plenty of western saddles but have never had to purchase one before. That and I’ve always wanted a more comfortable trail saddle so I can kill two birds with one stone. =)

Its the spin that kills me and I figured with the quick turns barrel racers, cutters ect deal with there must be a reason they arent sitting in slick Stubbens.[/QUOTE]

Yes, but they also are holding and pushing/pulling on the horn for those quick moves, that are more or less expected.

If you are used to western saddles and like them to train, as so many riders do, I would get a good quality older saddle over a new one.
Older saddles are well broken in already and will hold their value.

Go try some for size.

[PletchersMom]

I loff my Dakota Reining Saddle!!!

@MSP;4875191

Brand? Any thing in your price range but stay away from Mexican made or no brand. I have a Dakota and love it. They are well made but not big $. http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/dakotasaddles.html

Originally I wanted a Billy Cook, however, the waiting list was 10 months for the trail model I liked.

I tried a Dakota saddle and I love it!! They run well under $1000 and well worth the $$. I have had mine for 2 yrs now.

You can also get them customized (ie: seat color, and suede, leather or ostrich)

I added a horn cap on mine to go with the silver accents that came with it.

[rabicon]

A bear trap barrel saddle!!! :yes: It will lock your tail into that saddle!!! I have one I use to barrel race in and I’ve never felt more secure. When everybody is flying out of saddle because of the horse pushing off so hard my butt was tucked in tight :lol:

This is mine
http://www.statelinetack.com/item/american-saddlery-bear-trap-competitor/SLT731657/

I’d go with a 14 in. in this one Its hard to say without knowing how big you are. I’m 5’7 and 125lbs but my stubben dressage saddle is a 17 and my saddle like this is a 13. My hubby is 5’10 at 160lbs and his is a 14.

Heres me in mine at a fun show, I’m on the bay
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2405803840103994293xxsMXe
Its not a billy cook or nothing like that but it has been used and abused for 8 years now, this picture was taking it was about 8 years old and it still looked good. I don’t ride in it much anymore, its about 10 now but looks great and so does my husbands.

[Pat9]

Hope this kind of helps. Also I may add, if you get a western saddle, make sure it has a bucking strap! They will save you! and your saddle from coming up off the horses back, the bucking strap is the strap that goes behind the cinch around the horses belly, it holds the back half of the saddle to the horse. They are a godsend! Trust me

I just couldn’t let this one slide.

It is not a bucking strap, it is a rear girth or cinch. It has nothing to do with keeping the saddle in place for ordinary riding, but stabilizes it when you rope an animal. The rear girth is kept from sliding back by a small strap between it and the front cinch. I see on the net that people are calling the rear girth a flank cinch as well. The rear girth always has a hand’s worth of space between it and the horse’s abdomen; it is not buckled tightly.

A bucking strap is used to encourage a bucking horse to buck, and it is well back, a true flank cinch. You do not want a bucking strap. Trust me.

Yes, you can rock a double-rigged saddle up on the front of the tree while you are riding it if you leave the rear cinch off and pull up on the back of the saddle. This never happens in real life unless you make it happen, or if you rope something that’s dallied or tied to the horn without putting on your rear girth first.

A stock saddle can have center-fire rigging and be pretty stable without having the second girth.

I agree that you should borrow a saddle to try.

[franknbeans]

Had a Circle Y, found that it was too narrow for ANY of my horses-but-got it used, on Ebay, and was able to get every cent out of it in trade (after 4 years of lugging it around) for my new Bar J. I am also an english rider-stubben-who is trying western. I will say that I find that when by guy is being bad I get stabbed by the horn if it is too high-so I went with a reining saddle with a lower horn-still enough to grab but not enough to spear me during a buck. Make sure it is wide enough across the withers and thru the shoulders. I also went from a 17 stubben to a 16 Bar J. Would also suggest you look at the weight of them-HUGE difference between throwing up a stubben and a western on a 16.2 horse!

[craz4crtrs]

@Justmyluck;4875195

Stubben is a 17 inch but rides bigger because of the flat seat because I used to hate feeling locked in. I would like a seatbelt now pleaseeeeeeeee =)

Pony:

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo133/ghoofs/Jubilee/Jubilee.jpg

This one shows his back kind of.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo133/ghoofs/Jubilee/closetrot.jpg

So synthetics arent as bad as I’ve heard?

Thank you guys soooooo much I appreciate it.

I bought an Abetta saddle for my grand nieces and it is a very decent saddle. Hose it off and cleans right up. I got full qh bars since all the horses have wide shoulders at my house and so did their pony. They just got a new guy and the saddle fits him like it was made for him.

Leather…second the Dakotas. I bought my daughter a pleasure model when she was in middle school, she’s now 24. Still in new condition. Great leather and fit for both horse and rider.

Good luck.

[Justmyluck]

[QUOTE=franknbeans;4875325]
Had a Circle Y, found that it was too narrow for ANY of my horses-but-got it used, on Ebay, and was able to get every cent out of it in trade (after 4 years of lugging it around) for my new Bar J. I am also an english rider-stubben-who is trying western. I will say that I find that when by guy is being bad I get stabbed by the horn if it is too high-so I went with a reining saddle with a lower horn-still enough to grab but not enough to spear me during a buck. Make sure it is wide enough across the withers and thru the shoulders. I also went from a 17 stubben to a 16 Bar J. Would also suggest you look at the weight of them-HUGE difference between throwing up a stubben and a western on a 16.2 horse![/QUOTE]

Pony is 14.2 I am concerned with weight not for me lifting but for the horse. =)

Also Im 5’7" and around 125 pounds as long as its not finals week and I’m living off of cheese burgers.

So 15-16’ based on seat type. I’m gonna go to the tack store soon and sit in various saddles. But I didnt want to walk in and not know where to start.

[saddleup]

If your horse is a cooperative type, I’d also recommend you take your horse to the tack store parking lot and have them bring out saddles to see if they fit. I have done this with every saddle purchase for the past ten years. Call ahead and make an appointment.

It is a huge time saver.