Saddle pricing

[Draftmare]

So, this is entirely out of trying to educate myself/curiosity. I have been helping a friend look for a much lighter weight saddle while she recovers from shoulder surgery… which of course sent me down the rabbit hole of looking at all the pretty saddles I wish I could buy.

I was looking at saddles made on Steele trees, and was a bit confused by the wide price range. You have saddles like Rocking R (now South Bend Saddlery) that appear to be good quality, but can be bought for around $1500. Then you have Continental which is also on the same tree, but starts at $2000. You are looking at around $3500 to get a saddle that has the same amount of tooling as a $1500 Rocking R. Both are made in Alabama.

So what makes some saddles command a $1500 price while others are starting at $2000 and going on up, both are made on the same tree, both are made in the US.

[China_Doll]

Not all Steele trees are the same. I have a true Steele saddle that starts at 1795.00 and goes up. This particular model holds resale very well because people keep them and you rarely see one for sale. It is a trail saddle and not show. Reputation and quality quality will effect price. Not all tooling, stitching, parts, workmanship etc. are the same.

[findeight]

Well, car makers make different models on the same chassis that sell at different prices. Things that can effect saddle prices, besides quality and amount of leather, are carving pattern and complexity, hand tooled or machine stamped, the way the seat is padded and any decorative stitching on it, whether there is a strainer to narrow the twist, shape of the swells, cantle and type of horn, how and where the rigging is attached, how the girth attaches (latigo or buckle), Blevins buckle or regular buckle and type/shape/ width of stirrup?

You can’t see most of these in a picture but they should be listed as each variation effects the price. In higher end saddles, that carving pattern and complexity are hand tooled and probably have the biggest influence on price. Basket weave is less then California Live Oak and if you want that CLO repeated 6 times on the fenders instead of 4 or don’t want any tooling on the fender except for the lower, rear corner it has a big effect pricewise. Even on off the rack saddles, the tooling or stamped pattern effects the price as do the rigging options.

[TMares]

Continental has sought to make a name for themselves in the reining horse world, especially in Europe, and they priced up their product accordingly. You’ll note this on their website: ATTENTION European Customers - PLEASE note that OUR saddles, made by US, Continental Saddlery Inc., Ider Alabama are known in Europe as “C.S. The Reining Authority” and carry THIS (our) logo. Saddles NOT carrying our Logo but just the ‘Continental Saddlery’ brand name are NOT made by OUR company and we are NOT affiliated with those saddles or their maker.

There’s nothing wrong with the above, but you’ll pay to play.

Rocking R didn’t seek out the horse-show crowd, their saddles were marketed to more of the middle market. They made a variety of styles. After the owner (son of the founder and a master saddle maker) passed away, I was surprised they stayed on as long as they did. It’s a sad loss.

Having ridden in and used both, the Continental’s have a titch more wow. sure— but for using, the Rocking R is a balanced, well made saddle out of Ider, AL.

[Draftmare]

Rocking R is now being made under Horse Saddle Shop’s name. I don’t know if their quality has stayed the same. They had a few of them down there when I went to look, and they looked really nice.

As much as I love my Pards, I have been thinking about giving a custom Continental a look when my tax refund comes in.

[Draftmare]

@China Doll

Not all Steele trees are the same. I have a true Steele saddle that starts at 1795.00 and goes up. This particular model holds resale very well because people keep them and you rarely see one for sale. It is a trail saddle and not show. Reputation and quality quality will effect price. Not all tooling, stitching, parts, workmanship etc. are the same.

I was under the impression that a Steele saddle was not the same maker as the Steele trees, and that Steele saddles were custom made including the tree from scratch? But I could be wrong. I occasionally see them for sale on the endurance group I am in on Facebook.

[bugsynskeeter]

Some people love the Continentals. I have been less impressed. I think Pards are better quality.

[China_Doll]

@Draftmare

I was under the impression that a Steele saddle was not the same maker as the Steele trees, and that Steele saddles were custom made including the tree from scratch? But I could be wrong. I occasionally see them for sale on the endurance group I am in on Facebook.

there are a few different companies that use the term Steele
http://steelesaddle.com/ this is the saddle I have and it just has 1 tree
This companies sells many trees for others to make saddles. http://steelesaddletreellc.com/index1a.html
many people do not understand that they are 2 different companies so the makers of these saddles would vary greatly.

[Draftmare]

@bugsynskeeter

Some people love the Continentals. I have been less impressed. I think Pards are better quality.

I haven’t actually ever touched one. :lol: I just like that they offer a trial, three different tree sizes, and that I could custom leather color and seat color/type.

I may just end up getting another Pards so that I have one to bang around and one to keep nice to show, but they are super rare used.

[walkers]

The Steele men are related but I believe there have been some conflict and so Steele saddles are a custom saddle company and then there is Steele tree compnay and they make trees for many diifferent saddle makers/companies.
I’ve sold old Steele saddles for what I paid or them, they are very comfortable and well made but a narrow fit. They tried to make a custom tree for my wide mare but it didn’t work. They took the saddle back ,no problem.