I’m starting the saddle shopping journey (bleh) and it seems like everyone and their grandma is a consigner. Tell me your experiences with used tack shops…the good, bad, and ugly!
A friend purchased a saddle from Redwood Tack for her daughter. Great experience. Leah allows a 7 day trial, which my friend needed to be sure saddle would fit her daughter and pony. Saddle arrived quickly, in better condition than she thought based on pictures, it was clean, oiled, and Leah was very knowledgeable about what might work for daughter and pony.
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I tried a couple from Maryland Tack Exchange and they were very easy to deal with - no problem getting a refund after I returned the saddles after the trial when they didn’t fit. Frankly one positive thing with the consignors is that they usually allow trials, and a lot of private sellers do not because of the risk involved.
LOL evidently I am becoming addicted to used saddle shopping. I like the older style saddles, true “flat” saddles with NO padding, no knee rolls, no “blocks”, as I am old myself and feel most comfortable and secure when I am as close to the horse as possible. I bought a Passier Century saddle last fall for $200 at a tack sale day. It’s a medium width, and I figured it would fit at least one of the horses I ride, and it does, perfectly. And I am very happy with it. I bought an old Crosby “Olympic” a few years ago, privately. It was advertised on a local message board, out in the “true boonies” where I live, in Cowboy Country. It was just my size, and I had just started looking for a Crosby PDN, which fit just a little bit wider than my “regular” saddle, a Courbette “Stylist”. Wasn’t having a lot of luck in finding a PDN, so bought this Olympic instead. It’s fine, fits the horse I was looking to fit. I paid $375 for it, complete and with multiple saddle pads. It has “tiny” knee rolls, maybe an inch thick. I can stand that. Nice flat seat. My “regular” saddle, I bought new in 1978, the Courbette Stylist. It is a saddle that I have used on many “medium” fit horses, TBs and TBX, and fits nicely on the right horse. I paid $750 for this saddle, new when I bought it. Such a great saddle, I’ve jumped some big courses in this saddle, I still love it dearly and it works so well for me.
Then just last week, I saw another local advert on facebook. A “Vintage” tack store, quite close to my town. I just had to go and take a look. They were advertising “flat” saddles, for $50 each (hey, NOBODY wants these saddles any more, “YUK” they are so “unfashionable”- how can anyone ride in a saddle that doesn’t have a ton of padding to hold you onto the horse?). And one of them was, wait for it… A Courbette Stylist. Man, I can’t pass that up. Had to go and take a look. In practically new condition, my size, but hard as a board. I had to rescue it. It has been soaking in leather conditioner since then, and is beginning to come back to life. I am so weak. At least my obsession isn’t expensive (at least this particular obsession).
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I have not purchased anything from them, but have dealt with them personally (they occasionally advertise on my website), and have heard good things about HighLine Tack, and sister company FineLine Tack.
I’ve also heard positive things about Redwood. Good to know High Line seems reputable…they have extensive inventory at great prices.
Thanks for the feedback!
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Another vote for Redwood Tack! Leah is wonderful to work with, and all of her saddles are beautiful.
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Another vote for Redwood Tack.
I seem to have an unpopular opinion about Redwood Tack. I ordered a saddle through their website and did not appreciate when it arrived. The photos of the saddles are dark and it is very hard to see the wear and damage on these saddles. I ordered a CWD and, while it looked to be in perfect condition in the photos, it arrived with cracking/water spots/wrinkles that I did not see in the photos - the saddle was very ugly in person! I did not appreciate the lack of description.
The overall experience was fine, however. No problems sending/receiving the saddle. The only thing to be aware of is that Redwood requires returns to be shipped USPS which has higher shipping rates (generally) for heavier/larger boxes than UPS or FedEx, so I probably spent at least 2x what I needed to have it back in her hands. Shipping to CA lately has also been more costly than to other locations due to the wildfires (though I would hope shipping rates would go down soon…) so shipping to Redwood (in CA) would likely be more expensive than to, say, Maryland with the same shipping service. I agreed to this upon purchasing the saddle, so I cannot complain much. I just wish the owner would accept all forms of return shipping, just as long as she has it in her hands again.
While I have not ordered through Goldfinch Fine Tack, I have loved working with the owner there. I am currently looking for a used saddle as well, and Rebecca has been so pleasant to work with. I have also heard a lot of good things about Maryland Tack Exchange, which I have my eyes on a few saddles there…
Good luck with your search! I hope you find the right saddle for you and your horse. 
I recently had a saddle on trial from Redwood Tack. The saddle did not work out for my horse but Leah was nothing but timely, polite, and informative. Would not hesitate to recommend her business.
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Anyone have experience with DFW Tack Exchange?
Cindy is excellent to deal with- have purchased 2 through her.
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I purchased my saddle through DFW and it was very easy. Also offered me a slight discount for not opting for a trial.
Old Dominion. They sold a saddle for me and I bought a used saddle from them - great to work with.
Check out Bonjour Tack. Christine has a wide selection of saddles and she’s incredibly easy to work with! Shipping was very prompt as well.
Another vote for redwood tack, Leah was fantastic to deal with
