Saddle shopping on the cheap for a TB - help?

[geog272]

I have the opportunity to ride a friend’s horse and need to get a saddle. Unfortunately, I don’t have much of a budget as I’ve had some major paycuts at work.

I’d like to find either an all purpose or dressage saddle – something wool flocked and am thinking a used synthetic (wintec, thorowgood?) may be my best bet, given my budget? I’m hoping COTHers can help point me toward some brand names to look at. I don’t think he should be that hard to fit. Typical TB build, a bit on the wide side, moderate withers. I’ve used a friend’s medium Roosli Pilatus and a medium Berney Brothers and both fit him fine. I don’t really have access to anything else to try.

I had a bad experience trialing a Thorowgood on my round pony (the thing slipped around every which way) but perhaps it would do better with the A-frame model (rather than U-frame) and on a horse with withers. I’ve never ridden in a wintec – how are the models with wool flocking? Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

[Rain]

Big plug for Thorowgood! Though they can be tough to find used.

[beowulf]

if you are going to ride a horse in a saddle that is not fitted for him, invest in a thinline saddle pad.

my personal experience is that stubbens are very good for what you need.

[anon38350891]

The best fitting saddle I had for my OTTB was a Stubben Siegfried in medium tree.

[redalter]

I love my Thorogood dressage saddle - economical, comfortable and looks great!

I LONG time ago, I bought a slightly used Stubben that I used on four different ottbs, had it re-stuffed a number of times, and loved it, had no problems.

Thorogood has a new T - 8 dressage that is lovely.

[Endevor]

A vote for Wintec

I’m probably in the minority, but I have had good success with my wool flocked Wintec 250 dressage saddle. The person who owned it before me had the billets switched out to leather. I got it off eBay along with a pair of MDC Ultimate stirrup irons for around $300 over four years ago. It’s been used on quite a few different horses including two of my OTTB’s. I do have several different sized gullets but have only changed them out once or twice. I found the black gullet (medium) worked well for most of the horses this saddle has been used on.

[geog272]

Thanks for everyone’s responses so far. I’ll definitely check out the Stubbens now!

[Sempiternal]

I’ll put in a vote for Passier. Not 'fashionable," but they tend to fit the typical TB back very well. If you look at the older models, you should be able to get a good deal on one.

[jaybird660]

I’d go with a Thorowgood hi-wither. It has wool flocking and you can reposition the billets. They have good panel support for TB’s.

[gypsymare]

I’ll second the Stubben but don’t buy a Seigfried unless you can demo it. They really encourage a forward leg/chair seat depending on the horse and your confirmation. The Roxane and Imperator is definitely balanced differently.

[HiJumpGrrl]

And I’ll second the Passier. I got one from a fellow COTHer, and it has been wonderful.

[Right_on_Target]

Thorowgood high wither T8

[Bogie]

I have an old style wintec pro jump that fits my TB very well.

I really wanted to like the T8. I tried the A/P version of it and I found it was too padded for me. I felt perched. I thought the saddle was nicely made, though.

[FieldcrestDressage]

What about something like this wintec all purpose

[Blugal]

[QUOTE=Sempiternal;8841600]
I’ll put in a vote for Passier. Not 'fashionable," but they tend to fit the typical TB back very well. If you look at the older models, you should be able to get a good deal on one.[/QUOTE]

I completely agree. The medium tree, if your horse is tending to be a medium, should be fine.

@gypsymare;8842248

I’ll second the Stubben but don’t buy a Seigfried unless you can demo it. They really encourage a forward leg/chair seat depending on the horse and your confirmation. The Roxane and Imperator is definitely balanced differently.

I had a Stubben Siegfried (I guess everyone has at some point?) but it doesn’t have the same level of cut-back head as the Passier, so I found it was not so good on the TB. Definitely encouraged the chair seat, but a great saddle to start all sorts of non-TBs in.

[Mukluk]

[QUOTE=jaybird660;8841944]
I’d go with a Thorowgood hi-wither. It has wool flocking and you can reposition the billets. They have good panel support for TB’s.[/QUOTE]

I have this and think it is a good saddle for the money. Mine is the Thorowgood Dressage T8 high wither. There are a variety of gullet plates that can be used with the saddle to accommodate your particular horse. Good luck.

[Twigster]

Passier makes an excellent quality saddle. Is there anyway you can trial several used ones from a shop and get a consult from a fitter? Could save you some heartache in the long run. I’ve seen some really nice Passier dressage saddles go for $750 if you look hard enough. Which is a shame really, for the seller, because they should be worth so much more.

[Sempiternal]

[QUOTE=Twigster;8856421]
Passier makes an excellent quality saddle. Is there anyway you can trial several used ones from a shop and get a consult from a fitter? Could save you some heartache in the long run. I’ve seen some really nice Passier dressage saddles go for $750 if you look hard enough. Which is a shame really, for the seller, because they should be worth so much more.[/QUOTE]

It is. If you look really hard, and don’t mind a brown saddle, I’ve seen them go for under $500. The seats aren’t as cushy as the fancy french saddles.

My Passier PSL I got from a friend of my mother’s for $100, but she was retiring her horse and didn’t care about the money aspect of it.

[One_Two_Three]

A quick plug for the Collegiate saddle. They’re usually a great deal when you find them used, got mine used (looked brand new and untouched) for $575. Adjustable tree system and it happens to fit my shark fin TB like a glove. They aren’t for everyone but they’re a great economical saddle, the older ones are definitely wool flocked, not sure if they still are, but a great saddle. Everyone at my (almost completely) TB barn have sold their higher end saddles for these because they just seem to work with the average TB anatomy well!

[kashmere]

Passiers are amazing, as are Stubbens. I have had my TB girl in both. The Stubben is the current saddle, because she decided to beef up and go Terminator on me, and it just worked better for her. I love the saddles pretty well equally, but I will tell you I was preeetty sad to retire that Passier. I have it for sale and am preeeettty poorly marketing it because deep down I want it forever.