Voltaire Saddle

[Horsemom2012]

Hello! I have been looking for saddles for my daughter and she has tested out quite a few. We have a saddle fitter coming out tomorrow to get a better idea of what her needs are. Unfortunately she doesn’t have her own horse, so it will need to be more of a universal stock type saddle. The first saddle she tried out was a palm beach voltaire and she loved it, but the flap size her trainer didn’t like. All the other saddles she’s tried she said were okay, but still likes the first one she tried out. I found another palm beach with a slighter more forward flap, but it has these imperfections. I am worried that when it comes time to re-sell it may be an issue, or they will get worse with more use. Does anyone have advice?

Thanks

[Madison]

That will definitely hurt resale value, so you would want to get an appropriate discount on the front end to account for the reduction on the back end. No one will be able to guarantee that they won’t get worse, but seat leather can be replaced (but probably not a cheap repair). One thing to do would be to ask the seller when the damage happened, because if they are honest about it that would tell you how it is holding up. If that is what made the saddle in my budget, and it was sufficiently discounted for the damage, I would still consider it.

[BootsAndCoffee]

Seat replacement is one of the more expensive repairs ($800 and upwards), since it involves so much work.

I’d definitely take that into consideration when debating how much the saddle should be discounted/what would make it worthwhile.

It’s also worth emailing places like DFW Tack Exchange, Highline Tack, Equitack, and so on to see if they have or are expecting a saddle with the same specs.

[erinmeri]

My questions would be:

1. how well might this saddle fit various horses? Some (like mine) are pretty forgiving, and others are not.

2. what kind of discount are you getting? And how much of the defect is cosmetic?

If the defect isn’t affecting the functionality, and you’re getting a good deal… who cares? Once the butt is in the saddle, nobody can see the defect (even over fences). And honestly, nobody cares.

If the saddle fits kid, but isn’t likely to fit many horses, or there isn’t a good discount… maybe move on.

[Horsemom2012]

The saddle is pricey and they offered a $500 discount. I just sent back a Welli from Redwood Tack because my daughter disliked the seat. It seems she really likes how a semi deep seat feels. It’s hard finding something in her size that isn’t a CWD. I don’t necessarily have anything against them, but I feel since I see them for sale so often, they may just not be good fits.

I didn’t think it would be this hard finding a saddle for her . Especially since she’s been in a basic lesson saddle for the last two years.

[erinmeri]

Is there a reason you or your daughter feel compelled to buy a saddle now? If she is without a horse and has been using what worked for two years without issue, why make the investment now?

[Madison]

@erinmeri

Is there a reason you or your daughter feel compelled to buy a saddle now? If she is without a horse and has been using what worked for two years without issue, why make the investment now?

I bought a saddle when I was just leasing and taking lessons because what the barn had for me to use was detrimental to my position. The types of horses I would be riding were all similar, and the saddle I bought had pro panels and fit almost everything (I have quite the assortment of shimmable half pads!). If you don’t have a good option to ride in, buying a quality saddle with a reasonably versatile fit does make sense (recognizing that if it truly doesn’t fit a horse, you’ll have to find an alternative solution).

[Horsemom2012]

She is the youngest rider at the barn she goes to. We leased a horse there for six months, but had to stop as we had some finances to take care of. The saddle she uses at the barn is a 15 and too small for her and the next size up they have is a 16.5 but she makes it work. She still rides the horse we leased the majority of the time, but she does occasionally ride others at the barn.

[Rumorhasit93]

Can you see if they have this exact same saddle (flap, seat, etc) with no imperfections, elsewhere?

My local shop, Olson’s (olsonstack.com) has a ton of nice used Voltaires in stock - maybe this one will be there? The prices seem really reasonable. I almost want to buy one of them just to have a second saddle!

Good luck! The perfect saddle makes all the difference.

[Horsemom2012]

I’ve been looking to find one that have these specs. I either find the right seat, but wrong panel size, or right panel size wrong seat. I know the right one will come along, but hoping it’s sooner than later lol

[NaturallyHappy]

Can you check w Voltaire? They may know of one in their demos.

[erinmeri]

@Madison

bought a saddle when I was just leasing and taking lessons because what the barn had for me to use was detrimental to my position. The types of horses I would be riding were all similar, and the saddle I bought had pro panels and fit almost everything (I have quite the assortment of shimmable half pads!). If you don’t have a good option to ride in, buying a quality saddle with a reasonably versatile fit does make sense (recognizing that if it truly doesn’t fit a horse, you’ll have to find an alternative solutio

This is why I was asking. If the saddle used isn’t working then it makes sense to boy. Sadly, many are pressured into buying when it isn’t necessary.

[erinmeri]

@Horsemom2012

She is the youngest rider at the barn she goes to. We leased a horse there for six months, but had to stop as we had some finances to take care of. The saddle she uses at the barn is a 15 and too small for her and the next size up they have is a 16.5 but she makes it work. She still rides the horse we leased the majority of the time, but she does occasionally ride others at the barn.

Without knowing how old your child is and/or how likely they are to grow… and how likely the 16.5 is ever to work, it’s tough to know what is right for your kid. If I were the parent of a child, especially a growing child, who didn’t currently own or lease a horse, I would be hesitant to purchase a high end saddle. I think you can probably find a decent mid range saddle for a lot less money that will serve your daughter better.

[hillary_again]

How would you describe those imperfections? They look like some kind of small scratches? Are they the same thing, in two places?
Replacing the seat is a very, very difficult repair. There aren’t many places to get that done. For a Voltaire, you would likely have to get them to do it.
OTOH, the reason for a seat repair is mostly when the seat seams split. That’s not what I see on this saddle. This looks like something rested against this saddle in transit or similar, and left a mark.
If it’s more than a small mark, skip it.

[2DogsFarm]

@Rumorhasit93

My local shop, Olson’s (olsonstack.com ) has a ton of nice used Voltaires in stock

See now, this would make me wonder why so many used saddles of a particular brand were available. Especially as this is a relatively new brand.
Why are people getting rid of them?

Like @Madison , I bought my first saddle before I had a horse. And kept it for 30+yrs.
Luckily it fit the horse I shareboarded, then the first horse I bought & the next 2. When it did not fit my WB, I opted for a semi-custom of the same brand. That one is now in use on another horse & I expect it will be the last saddle I’ll have.
Old saddle was donated to a theraputic riding program.

[Horsemom2012]

I usually only see CWDs in her size. She needs a 15.5, maybe a 16. I am well aware that she may only get 1-2 years out of a saddle before needing an upgrade, so I will need to re-sell whatever I do buy. She has been riding since she was 4 (she just turned 10) but she has been consistently riding for over two years now. I am hoping we will be able to pick up leasing again soon. I have no issues buying her a quality saddle and she definitely can tell the difference from all the ones she has tried out.

[LSBC]

Have you talked to a Voltaire rep? I bought my last saddle through a Devoucoux rep and it was very successful. I told her the specs that I wanted (I was very specific) and she did the looking for me.

I find it easier when you know exactly what you want to search constantly. When I bought my first saddle in 2010 I found it on like the 50th page of google, and I kept it for 12 years before outgrowing it.

[Horsemom2012]

A Devoucoux rep is fitting her today. I haven’t been able to find any Devoucoux’s used in her size. I will ask her today to see if she has any leads if my daughter likes them.

[Jealoushe]

Definitely contact the Voltaire rep and look on FB and eBay too.

Personally the seat issue wouldn’t bother me if they offer a bit of a discount for it.

[Rumorhasit93]

I would also agree. I just happen to know at least 3 of them are from a local trainer who switched to another brand and then had their entire barn switch