Looking for opinions on Tucker saddles. My mare is fairly wide, with low, almost not there, withers. She is also ever so slightly downhill. Billy Cook, Steve Flick, and RS Saddlery are too narrow for her. My older Circle Y fits her great, but is on the snug side for me, plus it pulls my leg way out in front of me. Not really conducive to dressage. I was looking at the Tucker Old West saddle on horsesaddleshop.com. They have a few of them on clearance. Some of the pictures make it look like it would put me in are really good alignment, while others make it look like it might pull my leg out in front of me again. Due to recent on goings with my dog, my budget has shrunk to around $1500. I was going to get a Julie Goodnight, but it is now out of range.
I have a Tucker High Plains wide for my haflinger. Fits him well, is comfortable for me, and I can keep my leg in decent position. If we were doing really steep trail rides, I would need to add a crupper or britching.
I rode a Tucker for a TWH and I will say that it was very comfortable for me and gave that particular horse an even sweat pattern.
I have a Crestridge for my round-bodied, mutton-withered, short-backed mare and it fits her great. Crestridge worked with me long distance to get the best fit…sent them oodles of photos and a tracing I think.
I’ve had the saddle eight or more years and I still like it quite a lot.
I have been googling reviews, and it seems like people either love them or hate them. There is no in between. I am looking for something that I could use at open shows and fit in, so no round skirts.
I’d keep looking. Here’s the thing, a whole lot of QH’s have no withers and are very wide and round, plenty find western saddles that work. In the saddles you have tried what type of tree did you try? Were they all full QH bars? My little Appy is build that way, I bought a Cactus full QH bars that fits him perfect. You need to find a brand with Full QH bars that are generous. With this type of back, saddles will slip regardless, so the bad you use will make all the difference. Make sure you are using enough padding and not skimping. Investing in a good pad will make a big difference in make a saddle work.
Have you talked with the saddle fitters at the Horse Saddle Shop and see what they suggest? Tell them your budget, that you are showing open shows etc. and see what the recommend.
[QUOTE=js;8370901]
I’d keep looking. Here’s the thing, a whole lot of QH’s have no withers and are very wide and round, plenty find western saddles that work. In the saddles you have tried what type of tree did you try? Were they all full QH bars? My little Appy is build that way, I bought a Cactus full QH bars that fits him perfect. You need to find a brand with Full QH bars that are generous. With this type of back, saddles will slip regardless, so the bad you use will make all the difference. Make sure you are using enough padding and not skimping. Investing in a good pad will make a big difference in make a saddle work.
Have you talked with the saddle fitters at the Horse Saddle Shop and see what they suggest? Tell them your budget, that you are showing open shows etc. and see what the recommend.[/QUOTE]
Do you not like the Tucker saddles? All of the saddles that I have tried have been FQHBs. The Billy Cook looked so promising as it appeared to have a lot of flare to the front of it, but no go there. Forgot to mention that I also tried my BO’s Hubbard saddle and it was too narrow. My horse is a draft cross, so she is wider than most typical QHs. The BO’s main ride is a fairly typically built QH, and the Hubbard and Steve Flick saddles fit her.
I am currently working with the people at Horse Saddle Shop. Their suggestions within my new budget are the Tucker Old West 277 Trail Saddle, or the Circle Y Pioneer Flex2 Trail Saddle. They had a couple of other suggestions, but they were round skirted saddles.
Not so much but then it is about fitting your horse and getting what works best for you.
Found this with a google search: http://www.mydrafthorse.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=173
Don’t know anything about them but they say they are made for draft horses.
PS, I hate saddle fitting! I’ve been tempted to start buying the saddle first then finding a horse it fits!
I am trying to stick to Circle Y and Tucker (Circle Y now makes Tucker, or visa versa, I don’t remember) as I know the quality and I know the fit. My current saddle is a Circle Y that fits my girl amazing, but doesn’t fit me. I also want to stick to a tack shop vs ebay or CL so I can trial whatever I am getting.
I really like this saddle as well: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/circley-canton-saddle.html#.VippiDZdFdc but the tack shop didn’t have much input other than it is heavy.
Most important to me is fit for Sydney, fit for myself (bigger seat than my current one), and putting myself into a better alignment. My current saddle really pulls my leg out in front of me.
They have a suspended seat and sit you way above the horse. The absolute opposite of close contact. I absolutely hate riding in them.
[QUOTE=rememberthenight;8371589]
They have a suspended seat and sit you way above the horse. The absolute opposite of close contact. I absolutely hate riding in them.[/QUOTE]
My biggest concern is how much skirt there seems to be between the leg and the horse. :no:
[QUOTE=rememberthenight;8371589]
They have a suspended seat and sit you way above the horse. The absolute opposite of close contact. I absolutely hate riding in them.[/QUOTE]
That is really only true about the Tucker “Montreal Trooper” saddles, which are based on the saddles used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. On those Tuckers the seat is suspended between brass “brackets” in front and behind. It’s used mostly for following bird dog field trials.
The others Tuckers are on a regular Western-type tree (as opposed to typical English). I have used Tuckers for about 14 years and really like them. However mine are the Equitation Endurance, which is as “English” as they get. Still a Western style tree to spread the pressure but with English style girth and stirrup rigging.
I know you’re looking for a Western type. I had one for my very round, mutton-withered QH mare (RIP) and I would just suggest that you look at the Wide Tucker or even the Extra Wide.
I can speak confidently of their comfort for rider and also their quality of workmanship. I’ve had some made by the original Tucker company and since it was bought by Circle Y, and I can’t complain about the leather or anything else. As for fitting your horse, like any saddle, you just have to talk with the company or get a trial. Good luck!
My mother has had both the plantation-style and western-style Ticket saddles, and has loved them both. Position wise, the western version was the better for for her, as it put her leg in the right spot (she leans toward wanting to ride in a chair away). She retired the plantation one d/t its conspicuous looks in a sea of western saddles, but swears by its comfort. I’ve ridden the western one and have found that it puts my leg in a position fairly similar to a dressage saddle, while is great for trails.
[QUOTE=GotMyPony;8371862]
That is really only true about the Tucker “Montreal Trooper” saddles, which are based on the saddles used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. On those Tuckers the seat is suspended between brass “brackets” in front and behind. It’s used mostly for following bird dog field trials.
The others Tuckers are on a regular Western-type tree (as opposed to typical English). I have used Tuckers for about 14 years and really like them. However mine are the Equitation Endurance, which is as “English” as they get. Still a Western style tree to spread the pressure but with English style girth and stirrup rigging.
I know you’re looking for a Western type. I had one for my very round, mutton-withered QH mare (RIP) and I would just suggest that you look at the Wide Tucker or even the Extra Wide.
I can speak confidently of their comfort for rider and also their quality of workmanship. I’ve had some made by the original Tucker company and since it was bought by Circle Y, and I can’t complain about the leather or anything else. As for fitting your horse, like any saddle, you just have to talk with the company or get a trial. Good luck![/QUOTE]
That last part is good to hear. I have heard some grumbling around about the quality of the Circle Y saddles going downhill. I have never seen a Tucker in person, so I was wondering if people felt the same about their saddles now too. Personally, I thought the Circle Y saddles that I have seen were nice, but I also am not particularly a leather snob. As long as it looks good and holds up to what I want it to do, I am happy. At least they are both still made in the US.
I was hoping that somebody would comment on how they made the rider sit, thanks! I have been googling pictures like mad, but I can’t seem to find many with the rider mounted.
I think I may make the trek down to Horse Saddle Shop today. Turns out they are only two hours away. I figured I can keep emailing back and forth asking questions that they would probably only know the answer to if the knew me personally, or I can go sit in some saddles. :yes:
Well I am very grateful that I decided to make the trek down to the tack shop. I sat in the Tucker for all of 30 seconds and hated it. Not sure if its because my trainer kicked my butt last night with lots of two point, or what, but it really hurt my hips and thighs. Ending up bringing this one home to try: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/used-circley-show-uscy3041.html#.Viu5vDZdFdc
Used Circle Y Dressage Saddle at Horse Saddle Shop
I have a gorgeous 17" used Circle Y western dressage saddle on Horse Saddle Shop for $1615. I literally rode in it ONCE. My 16 h QH has deceptively wide shoulders, and it just didn’t fit him.
I have ridden English all my life, and this is the first western saddle that I felt put me in the best centered position.
You could get it at a great price. Horse Saddle Shop will let you return it if it doesn’t fit. They have excellent customer service.
http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/used-circley-dressage-saddle-uscy3090.html#.VjArycuFOpo
[QUOTE=Ryder00;8377239]
I have a gorgeous 17" used Circle Y western dressage saddle on Horse Saddle Shop for $1615. I literally rode in it ONCE. My 16 h QH has deceptively wide shoulders, and it just didn’t fit him.
I have ridden English all my life, and this is the first western saddle that I felt put me in the best centered position.
You could get it at a great price. Horse Saddle Shop will let you return it if it doesn’t fit. They have excellent customer service.
http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/used-circley-dressage-saddle-uscy3090.html#.VjArycuFOpo[/QUOTE]
I actually saw your saddle and sat in it. I LOVE the patterned seat on it. I didn’t love the knee blocks. I also want something that I can take to open shows.
