Saddles

[Pehsness]

I’m sure there a million of these threads but it’s easier to start fresh.

I think I have decided it’s time to give my old man dyed in the wool QH a break from my dressage folly and let him go back to his western roots.

I’ve ridden western before but never hung on to the saddles (had a really nice Billy cook at one time).

There is a local tack dealer i can reach out to, but before I do that, what questions should I be asking? I want something that is as akin to a dressage saddle as possible, would allow for trails/ranch riding clinics, that kind of thing. My daughter is also keen to learn to rope and this horse is THE horse for her to learn that on because he’s so bomb proof.

Any suggestions for the questions I should ask, things to know about fit etc?

[Saddle_Search]

You could try looking at “Bobs Custom Saddles” website, (Arizona). Their saddles are categorized by type, i.e. Reining, Cowhorse, Roping etc. It would give you an idea of types and what each saddle looks like then you can continue from there.

[Foxglove]

I know nothing about Western saddles --but then I don’t know much about English saddles. I’ve been riding for 60+ years and owned about 20 horses (never that many at the same time, generally 3-4).

What I do know is that at the level I ride, Western Rider since April 2024, an expensive custom saddle isn’t going to make me ride better in the Ranch Horse riding I do (elements of trail, rail, cutting, and eventually, I hope roping at a low, low level).

What is important to me is that I can lift the saddle easily on to 15 hh Bob. That means 30# or less. Second important factor is how it feels to me to ride it. Frankly, if a saddle isn’t comfortable, regardless of make, you will avoid riding in it.

Finally, important to me is how the saddle looks --is it suitable for the riding I plan to do. Bob and I are currently pursuing Ranch Riding —specifically to show, I need a saddle with horn, breast collar (I use pulling style), and back girth.

Of course the saddle fits Bob --saddle fitter and trainer have both approved it. I use a high-dollar pad under it (Tucker) and pretty colorful saddle blanket as Bob is brown and I show in black to avoid drawing attention to my less than perfect form.

My saddle is a Tough One King brand. In a quick look on the WWW, it still falls in the $500-600 range. However, digging deeper, I find I am not t he only one who is satisfied with my King saddle. On various horse-boards, folks say the same thing I do, yeah, cheaper saddle, but holds up and does the job without hurting horse or rider --as long as the saddle fits.

Lots f folks recommend buying a used, expensive saddle at a lower price. I just went with a friend to look at a used McCall (owned by the same lady who had Bob before me --she does know quality) she wanted $3000K for it. She said new they go for $6K —ok. But she’s selling it because she doesn’t use it as she “Doesn’t ride that much.” –

Well, I ride Bob every day --in my cheap saddle. I have a blast. I don’t think we’d have more fun if I had an expensive saddle. FYI by adding the pulling collar, pad, and back chinch, the saddle now cost $900 --LOL. The accessories were more expensive than the saddle!

My granddaughter wanted this saddle (brand new) 10 years ago for 4-H. She liked the padded seat (me too) and that it was light enough for a 12 year old to lift.

Here’s Bob all tricked out --but he doesn’t have his new pulling collar on . …

[Simkie]

I’m super curious to hear what feedback you get here! I recently picked up a western saddle for a very wide mare I’ve got–it was a lot easier to find something suitable, inexpensively, versus going English.

Some things I’ve found:

@Foxglove is DEAD ON with the note about the weight. I didn’t pay much attention and holy mother of god what I found weighs like 45 pounds. I’m a strong person, and this is my “little” horse (she’s 15.2 ish) but it’s a THING to get it up there.

Western saddle trees are also often very WIDE through the twist. I prefer a narrow twist and wow, there is a lot there. I think the “lady” saddles are narrower? Maybe?

Western saddle pads are surprisingly expensive!

Total length of the skirts (front to back) matters, especially on a short backed horse. Some saddles have skirts for daaaaaaaays.

A high cantle makes for a secure ride but makes dismounting a bit of a trick.

I was on this site a lot. They have a lot of info, not just in general, but usually measurements of individual saddles. They also have a sizing gizmo that might be worth a shot, and are apparently very helpful on choosing a saddle & getting a fit.

https://www.horsesaddleshop.com/

I’m going to see how it goes with the saddle I’ve got (it’s an old circle y park and trail) since it does fit the horse, but might end up upgrading to something lighter & with a narrower twist. I’m not sure what hits that. But am enamored with the leather Fabtrons. It might be something to check out for you since they do mention English riders.

Cross Trail Saddle

[Paint_Party]

@Pehsness

My daughter is also keen to learn to rope and this horse is THE horse for her to learn that on because he’s so bomb proof.

She can start by learning to handle a rope and throw a loop on the ground. When she gets to roping off a horse, a regular ranch saddle is fine until she progresses to actually roping a live calf and dallying. Then she’ll need a roping saddle. That’s a heavy beast of a saddle. But she’s young, right? Let her heft it around.

My saddle weighs about 37 lbs. I can just swing it up on my 15.2 mare… but that’s with the breastcollar, cinch and back cinch removed. I take them off every time and reconnect after I put the saddle on. It takes time but saves my back!

Otherwise, as has been said, there’s a whole world of western saddles to choose from in a wide range of prices, styles and fit for you and your horse. If you can’t find something you like from a private party, I’ve had great customer service with used saddles, both buying and selling, at HorseSaddleShop and Teskey’s.

I have to add that this made me laugh, because it is oh so true:

@Simkie

Western saddle trees are also often very WIDE through the twist.

Going from riding hunters to strictly western, this has been the biggest adjustment for me, physically speaking. My western show saddle, with all the silver and conchos, had a fairly narrow twist and really supported a horsemanship position. But my ranch/reining saddle? Let’s just say I have learned the importance of the placement of the crotch seam on riding jeans.

[Simkie]

@Paint_Party

My western show saddle, with all the silver and conchos, had a fairly narrow twist and really supported a horsemanship position.

Oh my god please tell me what brand/tree this is? It’s so hard to figure out what might be narrower. I’m bruised in places I didn’t know existed

[Paint_Party]

It was a Miguel’s.
https://www.miguelaguilarcustomsaddles.com/category/saddleds?page=2

He’s the nicest guy and does a lot of custom show saddles but he always has some in stock, too. I would have loved to get one of his ranch saddles simply because I admire his attention to detail and the narrower twist, but he hasn’t quite nailed the ranch aesthetics that I wanted.

He does make bulletproof work saddles, and one of my barn friends shows ranch in that. But geez, the Miguel work saddles weigh a friggin’ ton-- his show saddles do not-- so just nope.

It’s fascinating to browse through his creations and options. Some of these saddles I’ve either seen at shows or they’re owned by people in my barn who show. (I think some of them look more like parade saddles, personally). My Miguel’s show saddle was rather subdued by comparison, although it had the most lovely floral hand tooling, which I miss dearly.

[Pehsness]

I’m used to heavy saddles - this is news to me that there’s such a thing as a western saddle that doesn’t weigh 40 lbs, lol.

There was a custom saddler here who just retires. Bailey. They were far more than I want to spend but he made some nice, plain rough saddles that is what I would love. I think he also made show saddles etc.

Looks Ike a trail saddle is what I’m looking for to avoid the extra weight.