Looking for recommendations on nice quality brand saddles. I learned my lesson on trying to go the cheap route and got a basic circle y equitation saddle. Could not keep my butt in it to save my life, it really put me in a bad chair seat. Been told the lower end saddles just don’t put you in a good position. Riding in someone’s harris work saddle now, it is so much better and I can sit perfectly quiet! Going to have to get my own saddle or saddles for show eventually, would like to do ranch riding and horsemanship. I know harris has a lot of decent priced used show saddles on their website, but as for ranch riding what does everyone like? There is a saddle shop in my area that I believe makes very nice saddles but their ranch saddles go for about $5-6k. I guess I could eventually get a used work saddle for every day and ranch and a show saddle for horsemanship and other classes? Does anyone ride in a continental saddlery ranch saddle? Are those good quality?
I tried out a used Teskey’s ranch saddle several months ago. I loved it. LOVED it. I ultimately decided not to buy it, but not because there was anything about the saddle that I disliked. Obviously I can’t speak to any differences in quality between old Teskey’s and new ones.
I’ve been very pleased with Martin saddles, quality and comfort. The prices are not too bad.
I ride in Martin Ranch Cutters. Some of mine are about 15 years old and have held up really well. I hate a chair seat and these position me well. I also hate feeling like I am stuck in a deep seat saddle, and these are more of a flatseat. I also like the cutout skirts for close contact.
I sold 2 Martin Cutting saddles two years ago that were about 12-13 years old and I still got over $2K apiece for them. You can find them used, but if you do and they fit your needs, buy them fast as they sell quickly.
I have a hard to fit horse, and am presently looking at Schleese saddles. I always thought they only made English saddles, specfically dressage, but they make Western saddles too. Something appeals to me about a good dressage saddle maker also making Western saddles, and designing them for women. THEY ARE NOT CHEAP!!!
Yeah a lot depends on how well you trust Schleese to fit a dressage saddle. The reps tend to overpromise on being able to fit every horse.
You could get true custom from the tree up for a lot less than Schleese semi custom
I have just ordered a saddle from this company with out the bucking rolls so I can sit in a smaller seat. https://outwestsaddlery.com/
I would recommend trying some Bob’s saddles.
Me too:
http://www.cowdogsaddles.com/saddles-tn.php
Bob’s are what you see most in serious trainer’s barns.
For their colt starters and galloping help.
They fit most any horse and human well.
Also what many of the top trainers and everyone else show in.
Cutting, reining and working cowhorse, especially reining.
Someone sat in my saddle and wanted one like it right away.
It was such a better fit than the ones they had been using.
They are worth trying, who knows, they may fit you too.
If you are not averse to working with a long distance saddle fitter there is a Canadian company called Western rawhide that make good quality saddles and are still budget friendly. The make every from pure work saddles to trail to beautiful show and parade ones. They are almost ubiquitous here and have been in business about 50 years
I’m not sure what part of the country you are in but last year I got a custom work saddle made by Miguel Aguilar. He is in Virginia and he makes work saddles, ranch saddles and show saddles. His place is The Saddle Barn and he can be found on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/thesaddlebarn/ Miguel was wonderful to work with and makes beautiful saddles that ride very much like a Harris and are just as high quality but at a more economic price.
