I have an abetta western that I use on the trails and I LOVE it. Really secure, so no sweat when my horse has an ‘arab moment’. I do a lot of trail riding and its reasonably comfortable.
Originally posted by Penthilisea:
I’m really trying to stay AWAY from a horned saddle. Anyone else have any ideas for a $400 and UNDER comfy quality synthetic or leather saddle?
Heh…for that price, it’s hard to find quality unless it’s a used saddle…I just bought a barely-used Wintec All-Purpose (not for endurance, I don’t think) for $400…I got my Aussie for around $300 brand new, but it’s not the best quality leather. I’m going on three years with it and it’s holding up spectacularly and is very comfy, but I don’t expect it to last more than 6 or 7 years, less than that if I start endurance or CTR.
I would take some of the brand names people have mentioned to ebay or a good used tack store and keep your fingers crossed! Sorry your other one didn’t work out…saddle shopping is frustrating!
Penthilisea, check your PMs please. 
Just bought a paragon trailrite off ebay and it came. WOWEE! This is a beautiful piece of equipment! I paid 101.50 including shipping- what a steal! Of course I now have to sell the other saddle I bought- nice seat but the flocking is VERY uneven and I suspect it’s a tree issue even though it’s new. Sigh.
Definitely the Aussie’s from Down Under. Most you can choose with or without horn, they have synthetic, you can get either english or western style stirrups and they have quite a few under $400. Most are either a 4 or 4 1/2 inch seat. (They also have “easy out” stirrups.)
I vote for the Abetta Endurance saddle with the Flex tree!! I paid $600 for mine. Be sure to get the FLEX tree, and not the Ralide. The Ralide version is the cheapo model and causes a lot of horses to go backsore and lame. The Flex tree is made of hard rubber that flexes and shapes to nearly any horse’s back.
Abetta endurance saddles are comfortable, safe, washable, easy to lift (less than 14 lbs) very well manufactured, and best of all - affordable!
You’re still looking! Thought I’d mention this one to you: Crates Economy Trail Saddle
Fits my TB great. It’s secure and comfy. Have had one for about four years, given it plenty of use. It’s a little lighter than the average western saddle, so carrying and tacking up are easy.
Even during a weeklong trip of all-day rides, both horse and I were ready for action again each morning.
Much more experienced horsemen have given me compliments on the saddle (I don’t know much about Western).
Good luck in your search, let us know how it goes!
Just a word of caution on the Aussie saddles and probably a lot of western saddles too. I have a friend that I hadn’t seen in several months. It turns out he was trying out an Aussie saddle when his horse bolted on him and was headed toward a very busy road. He made the decision to bail rather than try and ride out onto the busy road, but had a very hard time getting out of the saddle and stirrups. It took him so long to get out of the saddle that instead of landing in an open field, he landed head first on a fense post. He shattered his eye socket so badly that he may lose his eye. He always rides with a helmet but managed to hit below rim of helmet.
Moral of story, make sure you practice your emergency dismounts with the saddle you buy.
I just got my Thorowgood “Jill Thomas” endurance saddle and took it out on the trails for about 21/2 hours and loved it. It cost about $450.00 new.
Yes, abettas are nice saddles for the price. I have a regular semi-QH barred abetta for trail rides for my TB. and it works fine. Its just the “ralide” tree". Lots of endurance riders even use these saddles for long rides.
In the price range you’re looking for, here is another vote for the wintec dressage saddle - and recommend you get the “sueded finish” as opposed to the “equileather” (or whatever its called).
Friend and I went to trail ride - she used my wintec isabelle and fell in love with it for trails - she was on a very green horse that was quite spooky (I was on an experienced horse with med kit & cell phone) - anyhoo, she told me later that she had never felt so secure before as she did in the wintec.
I’m really trying to stay AWAY from a horned saddle. Anyone else have any ideas for a $400 and UNDER comfy quality synthetic or leather saddle?
I LOVE my Aussie saddle. I’ll never go back to a western saddle for trail riding. They have a deep seat which makes you feel very secure. I got mine from http://www.frontierequestrian.com
It is the stock rider. Very reasonably priced. It is made fairly well and I have been happy with it. I didn’t have alot of money to spend on a trail saddle either. I spend it all on hunter/jumper stuff 
You may also want to try a dressage saddle - the deeper seat and longer leg flaps give a nice secure feeling, plus if you’re used to an AP it may be an easier transition for both of you. The Aussies are good too. I do most of my trail riding in a western endurance saddle.
I would suggest you go to your local saddle shop and talk with someone there. Many have a variety of used saddles you can try out. Take a tracing of your horse with you for his fit.
Check this out for fitting a saddle…
http://www.pelham-saddlery.com/fitting.html
Would an Abetta fit a ‘wide body’ MOrgan?
Second the used dressage saddle - very comfy for both horse and rider, longer flaps for a longer leg, and just a very secure feeling.
ALTHOUGH, if I ever have extra $$$ laying around (yeah, right), I’m getting a Tucker Plantation Saddle for pleasure/trail riding. Those are pure comfort!!! And feel VERY secure.
Originally posted by MBRA518:
So my next question is what is the Saddlerite (saddleright?) pad like. It was just a bonus to the purchase, but I did find some favorable info on it… any real experience with them?
Lucky you. These are supposed to be really nice pads that go for $200+. They come with a lifetime guarantee. Even the used ones on Ebay go for around $150+. Do a search on the forums and read the positive opinions.
If you are looking for security, I would try an Aussie saddle. I had one and loved it, but it did not fit my new horse. Check out downunderweb.net they have a clearance section and the staff is alot of help.
So I went ahead and bought a Trekker Neutron off ebay. Along with a bitless bridle so I don;t look QUITE so casual as when I ride in his halter and western reins/rope lead. I am SO excited- it’s exactly what i wanted in my brain- high pommel and cantle, comfy seat, semi QH bars, no horn. Yay!
Can’t WAAAAAAAAAAAIT for it to get here so I can try it out!
Well I finally bit the bullet - I did wither tracings and faxed them to an internet company for size info… turns out my wide QHs are too wide for the Abetta Endurance Wide QH tree… however she said it looked like the Arabian tree would fit just right (both horses are the same size - TG). I never would have thought that an arabian tree was wider than a qh tree - but I guess it is.
So I check ebay before buying from that company and ended up getting a barely used one and a saddlerite pad for $375 US… with shipping and UPS “handling” fees (I hate UPS) it was $585 CAN… not too bad, when the only seller here charges 650 + tax and shipping…
I just got the thing from UPS saying it is here (why do they try to deliver when you are working??? grrrrr) so I’ll have it in a day or 2 when I can finally hook up with them… I’ll let you all know how I like it.
So my next question is what is the Saddlerite (saddleright?) pad like. It was just a bonus to the purchase, but I did find some favorable info on it… any real experience with them?
