desperate for a saddle for my wide withered small horse. Have been searching, trying, shipping back, saddles on the quest for something that fits my 14.2 1/2 guy, my 5’ tall self, and my the-economy-is-a-buzz-kill budget (think wide tree, cc, 16.5 or 17 not-so-deep seat, wool flocking under 2k). All in all, we have gotten oh, so close! I scour ebay daily, goggle and search tack shops, even search craigs list. Any suggestions on sites to check?
Have you looked into a Duett? You can trial them through a dealer or Duett. I have a dressage model, and then later went back and bought one of their jumping saddles. I tried the Allegro, which I loved but they didn’t have a wide enough model in stock for my horse, and ended up with their Foxhunter model… which I am very happy with. As long as you don’t mind a wider twist (and with a wider horse, you are probably used to it), they are worth looking into. You can buy them new for $849-$1179 or so… less for used. Sometimes you can find them cosigned at various tack shops or on ebay.
Good luck in your search.
Have you tried BDH from Dover? My chubby pony claims to be 14.2 hand and I claim to be 5’3":D. He is an old style Morgan, the kind that has hide wide wither and collects water on his back. We use a wide tree 17.5 and we are very happy with it. You can get it for around $1500 I think.
I have used my Albion K2 Jumping saddle on every kind of horse you can think of and it has fit them all - amazingly! Albions can be purchased in a variety of widths, and my saddle is just wonderful for cross country/hunting. I honestly don’t remember what I paid for it new, but it’s absolutely worth checking on. If too pricey, check ebay, etc. They’re worth the trouble! Good luck!
I second the Albion K2. Mine has been used on a paintX and my draft X. It runs about $2000. I see you’re in Hillsborough. M&M Tack in Raleigh carries them.
Collegiate has a new jump saddle model called the Nobility which is very similar to the Albion. It runs about $1,100. M&M also carries those.
Couldn’t you find a nice old Passier with a wide tree for a few hundred bucks somewhere and have it re-flocked and fitted for your application? It wouldn’t be immediate gratification, but you’d have a great saddle that would last many seasons - and some money left over.
I just picked up another Frank Baines (diff model) to try from M and M…the problem I’m having is that I can’t seem to locate these saddles (would love to check out the duett or Albion!) used. Searching ebay religiously and check out a handful of other consignment tack shops frequently, too. Maybe the saddle I just got will work (will know after the rain passes) but wonder if anyone has favorite used tack sites?
I would recommend borrowing or doing a trial on a few different saddles to find out which works best for you and your horse. Many places will do that with used saddles, which is great… you can also trial new saddles too, to help you find out which you need, and then if they aren’t within your budget, you can always look for that specific brand, model, tree and seat size used. Here are a few sites I like that sell used tack. Best of luck in your search.
www.trumbullmtn.com/
www.pelham-saddlery.com/
www.bcsaddlery.com/
www.saddlesource.com/
www.stcroixsaddlery.com/
www.usedsaddles.com/ (I’ve never used but a few forum friends have recommended)
http://www.chubbypony.com/
For well under $2k including shipping, you can have mattymarlow with Heritage Saddlery in the UK make you a custom saddle. (Look up mattymarlow on Ebay to find him.)
I got a custom monoflap from him a couple years ago and absolutely adore it. Also got a flat hunt bridle with rubber reins from him more recently, which was a great deal and is very nice also.
It’s a great option if you know what you want in a saddle–he’ll have you send lots of pictures and wither tracings of your horse, then you give him your…I think it was inseam and weight? and tell him what features you want. I actually had him make mine a little wider than my mare measured so I can use my sheepskin pads.
I recently bought a duett foxhunter from www.chubbypony.com. she was super nice and helpful and I love the saddle for the price. good luck to you in finding a saddle.
Baroquecoco, glad to hear you are enjoying your Duett Foxhunter too. I spent a full day in mine at a play day at a friend’s farm this summer. Found it very comfortable and it worked well for both jumping and trail riding in the hills of her property. I found it secure but not restrictive. Hope you continue to enjoy yours!
I use a PJ Delgrange on the wide-backed beasties. They are excellently made, and nice and secure for hunting. You can certainly find them used for under $2k. I picked mine up at the MTE for $1695. 
I love both my Duetts! Alas, they are hard to find used. BUT their prices aren’t horrible and you can try up to four saddles at a time. Just give Nancy Temple a call and arrange to send her some tracings. One never knows: she may have a return sitting there just waiting for you!
