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Synthetic western trail saddle suggestions, tips??

Endurance and Trail Riding
#1

Looking into getting a cheap, lightweight, synthetic saddle for Ernie and possibly another mare to share. Is any one brand better or worse than the others? The mare is QH but relatively narrow over the top of her shoulders. Ernie is also quite narrow. Even when he fills out I seriously doubt he’ll be a broad shouldered chunker. Sooooo, I’m guessing saddles labeled “full QH bars” means a wider tree? Are “Arab” saddles more narrow? If so, are Arab saddles pretty much the only narrower western saddles? Can I get away with a standard western tree considering how thick the heavy duty felt western pads are???

Also sizing…what size western saddle for a person who uses a 17" english saddle? And 18"??

#2

I have ridden in a Wintec & I felt it was horrible.
I have an Abetta Endurance and it is nice for a treed synthetic saddle.
I rode in the Abetta western synthetic and did not like it very much but it was better (imo) than the Wintec. I don’t have any experience with the Big Horn but they look comfy…
As far as size for you: I would say to sit in them you could be a 15" or possibly a 16"… You are supposed to be able to fit your fist between you and the pommel.
For the horse: Good luck. Trial and error.

#3

Riding in an Abetta is like riding on a two by four!
I have yet to see any horse rode in one not sore at the end of the ride.

I really was impressed by the semi synthetic Circle Y. Rode almost as nice as my Steele.

#4

I’ve got an Abetta Trinity Endurance as my spare saddle and it’s a decent. It’s got a memory foam seat, so it’s comfortable. Never had my horse get sore from it.

Arab saddles are generally pretty wide–despite being smaller horses they usually have well sprung ribcages.

If you’re going to share it between horses, what about a treeless? I’ve got a Black Forest and I love it. I’ve had about 5 people ride in mine and then buy their own.

They now have a synthetic Western model: http://www.blackforestsaddles.com/saddles-synth.html

#5

Are there any non-synthetic western trails saddles that are lightweight?

I don’t know anything about treeless! Do they always look non-westerny?

#6

[QUOTE=fivesocks;5111616]
Are there any non-synthetic western trails saddles that are lightweight?

I don’t know anything about treeless! Do they always look non-westerny?[/QUOTE]

There are plenty of Western Treeless saddles! EZFit, Bob Marshall & more! Barefoot makes a synthetic trail saddle, although it doesn’t look too “westerny”.

As far as weight… well, they weigh less than a regular western saddle…

#7

Are there any non-synthetic western trails saddles that are lightweight?

Define lightweight.

For example Tuckers are usually around 25 lbs.

Which compared to a 45 lb roping saddle is good, but is still a lot compared to a 12 lb treeless.

Are you looking specifically for a “trail” type western saddle, or just a western saddle to trail ride in? I see plenty of people trail riding in barrel racing saddles, they’re usually lightweight.

Bob Marshall is probably the most traditional looking western treeless, but they’re more expensive.

http://www.sportssaddle.com/

#8

I have a Big Horn cordura trail saddle, which is lightweight–15 lbs–and is nicely built for a synthetic. I think it’s very comfortable and my horse has always seemed to like it. I swapped out most of the nylon fittings for leather, for safety/breatheability. Mine has full QH bars and fits my QH well… I would suggest trying semi-QH bars in hopes of fitting a narrower horse. Sadly, with finding western saddles to fit a narrow horse, you run into the same problem I run into finding English saddles to fit my QH… Arab sized saddles tend to have shorter backs or rounder skirts to fit the Arab length, not so much the narrower shoulders necessarily, I think.

#9

I got a Fabtron online through the Western Saddle Shop and I highly recommend them. You can send them photos of your horse and wither/back tracings and tell them what you’re looking for and they will let you know what brands/sizes might work.

www.westernsaddleshop.com

#10

I would vote for the Big Horn, but have heard good things about Fabtron also. The new Wintecs are not so bad as they used to be. Abetta is a nice saddle, I’ve owned two of them, and would still be riding the one I currently owned if I could post my gelding’s trot in it, or if it would fit the mare. For me the dilemma in Western saddles is not only the weight of the leather ones, but the fact that I have two very short-backed nags and need a 16 inch seat. And I Just Wont Take Care of Leather, which turns green with mold instantly in this climate.

There are some very nice, very lightweight western saddles but they tend to be semi or full custom and cost cubic bucks. Here’s a very nice and more affordable compromise: http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com/Crusade_Lite.html

#11

Thanks for all the help! You guys are awesome!

What do you think about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/16-Fabtron-cordura-trail-saddle-/330472358309?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf1b001a5

#12

FABTRON LADY TRAIL

I bought a used (but like new) Fabtron Lady Trail and I really like it. It has a genuine suede seat, leather pommel/horn/cantle and the rest is synthetic.

It is comfortable, fit my horse perfectly and important to me, is light weight and easy for me to tote around.

It puts me in a good position (I am a Dressage rider that likes to trail ride and wants a saddle that provides more security on the trail in case of spooks or uneven terrain), is easy to post in and ride two-point in for cantering.

If you don’t want the “Lady Trail” model they make several different ones. I read reviews of the Fabtron saddles on the Horsetackreview site here: http://horsetackreview.com/ Everyone was very complimentary. There weren’t any new/used ones near me so I purchased mine off the internet sight unseen.

I too have ridden in the western Wintecs (older ones) and found them to be the MOST uncomfortable saddles I’d ever sat in!

Good luck!

#13

english to western, drop two inches. The lower and more angled-back the cantle, the freer you’ll feel in the saddle- more like english…Taller, more upright cantles, you’ll feel more like you’re sitting in a bucket.

I love the Fabtron Lady Trail saddles. I own an Abetta but would replace it with a Fabtron if I needed a new synthetic. I had a client buy one of their men’s western saddle…and he loves it. They are instantly broken in feeling, well made, and easy to fit.

#14

I use to have a Fabrtron like the one on Ebay that you posted the link for. I liked it very much… secure and comfortable…MUCH better than the Wintec western that I had. I only sold the Fabtron because I went treeless. I bought a Barefoot Cheyenne and LOVE it.

#15

I think you will like a Fabtron. I’m going to reiterate my suggestion that you contact horsesaddleshop.com (or another dealer) for two reasons:

  1. you can’t return saddles you buy on ebay and it’s not always easy to get rid of them if they don’t fit. I bought two that way and ended up consigning them.

  2. if you go through a shop you can return the saddle but more importantly you can give them the info they need to be relatively sure the saddle will fit you and the horse and won’t need to be returned, thus saving you time, money and headaches. Once you add in shipping the saddle on ebay is only about $50 less than a new one including shipping.

FYI I got the easy rider saddle - the only thing I changed out were the stirrups irons (or whatever they call them on western saddles) - replaced them with endurance irons.

Good luck!

#16

I found a Fabtron on craigslist right near me so I’ll probably go see it Saturday! Hoping the guy will sell for $300. He says it’s almost new.

Also there’s a big horn for $150 thats quite close. This one is definitely used.

Coy I’m checking that website now! Yay for killing time at work by surfing the web for horse stuff :slight_smile:

#17

I have 2 Abettas and a Big Horn. I have been very pleased with each of these saddles. They are 3 different styles and I’m lucky that each fits its respective horse and is comfortable for me.

I’m sure you’ll find a suitable saddle. While shopping, be sure to find a good fit for both your horse and yourself.

Best of luck.

#18

I recently sold a Fabtron like the one you have pictured. Very nice saddle for the price, my pony went very well in it. Comfy and held up well.

I just sold it to downsize the saddle collection…:wink:

#19

No one mentioned Weavers yet?

I have Abettas and Weavers.
I prefer the Weaver – although at first I thought it was horribly hard seated… it broke in after a few good rides…and I just spent 3 full riding days-vacation climbing the hills of the Michaux state forest/up and down/ in the rain/ in the night…
and not either me or my pony sore at all!
>>and thats with Weaver breastcollar, and halter bridle.

My students prefer the Abettas… and we ride some long and hard trails… no complaints from them or the schoolies.

I add the seat size a few inches as we ride all weather, all year, and that covers additional clothing, plus seat savers......

I also have a Tucker Endurance saddle --- and just_love_it!

But, they can be a bit pricey.

#20

Big Horn with semi QH bars.
A sheepskin fuzzy for my butt and I’m good to go. Never had a horse get sore with it.

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