I am making the big switch from solely classical dressage to western dressage and ranch. I know the rules for USDF and have been a regional delegate and have competed a ton, so it is a little daunting to be making this change. I want to get a GOOD western saddle that I can use for western dressage and ranch versatility classes and also use for trails. What do people advise? The horse I have is pretty talented (small). I can afford to go custom up to about $5K if needed, but wonder what words of wisdom/advice/warnings people have.
Are you working with a trainer and out of a barn with western type riders?
Best with western saddles is to get your behind in some and decide what works for you, there is so many differences between them.
For me, a mostly English rider, there is no western saddle that is ever as easy to ride than my English saddle, but over the years ranch saddles and later reining saddles have fit me best.
Others like barrel type saddles, some like Wade type with no swells but end up adding bucking rolls anyway if they are doing more technical arena work.
Also, depending on the western type of saddle, you may take a larger or shorter seat, don’t go by one size seat only. My old ranch saddle is a 13 1/2", my reining saddle 15" and both fit well.
Most adults do well in 16".
Try saddles first before deciding on one to buy.
A used good quality saddle will tend to be heavier than the cheaper ones, but your horse and how they feel under you will make up for it.
With your budged you should be able to find a really nice used saddle.
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Great, this is really helpful. Thank you so much. I will stay with my classical dressage trainer, since I will also do lower level dressage with my new horse, but we are all now at a barn where there are a bunch of big time reiners and a ton of western saddles. The idea to use my butt as the guide is a good idea.
For what you want to do, a reiner style saddle will probably be a good choice (it’s what I show ranch horse in). I find it very versatile and more comfortable than the Wade type “ranch” saddles. The saddles marketed specifically to western dressage riders are for the most part entirely unsuitable for ranch horse, as are barrel saddles.
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Thanks for this. If I also wanted to do western dressage but did it in a reining saddle, would that be OK? ALSO, where in Montana are you from? I grew up in Kalispell, rode there as a kid, also in Polson at the Pony Palace and on the Moise Bison range a lot. So I come back to western riding pretty honestly (-:
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Yes, pretty much everything goes for western dressage saddles! At least as far as I can tell.
I’m from TN, actually, not MT. My first horse was named Montana, and I was a teenager when I first joined this forum and picked my username way back in 2000 or 2001. 
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A good used saddle is great, you won’t have to break it in, should feel right right off.
For reining saddles, a plainer Bob’s, without much silver, maybe the conchos only, not on the cantle and swells and corners will be fine and cheaper.
My initial one was a Lady Reiner, tooled but minimal silver, that was good for anything but heavy roping.
Once tried a Kyle Cicero from my friend the reining trainer and that was like a glove, so found one like it, used, that seemed to fit all horses well.
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Good to know. The barn I am at is a big reining barn (our dressage trainer rents half the barn) and the people are really nice and will leet me try all their saddles. People are so helpful on this thread. Thanks a million.
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People in the Ranch Horse world (and greater working western world, but especially the ranch horse) are so wonderful and welcoming. You’re going to love it! I came over from the hunters and have been so happy with the transition.
TW Saddlery’s ranch versatility model! It is lighter than many western saddles. I got it with a round skirt / butterly for my extremely short backed horse.
https://twsaddlery.com/product/ranch-versatility-saddle/
Agree with the other suggestions to borrow as many saddles from folks as you can find to try and test out. That’s how you will figure out what is comfortable to you and what fits your horse. That is most important!!
Just want to throw it out there that I have shown Ranch horse in my barrel saddle.
I already “stick out” wearing my helmet, so I guess I don’t really care. 
Judges really haven’t cared about my tack, either, as far as scoring goes.
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Wow! What gorgeous options there are. I love the workmanship. Where are these saddles made, do you know?
They are made in Texas.
It was fun picking out all the design elements, though mine is relatively simple. It is very comfortable!
ETA the way this photo is cropped looks like it doesn’t have a horn, but it does. Also this photo was before the fitter adjusted it for my horse - the TWs have an adjustable panel system.
Such a beautiful saddle. I have a question about riding in ranch versatility classes. Do you need to have a horn? Also, really thanks a million for directing me to this saddle maker, although last night I went on a deep dive and designed my dream saddle and it ended up being about 7 grand…oh well, I might have to scale a few things back. (When do I ever do this with this hobby?) I plan to ride in a bunch of western saddles but will probably end up going a route of a custom saddle. How do you figure out what size your horse needs? My new horse is 14.3 and will grow a bit, a draft cross (Warlander and Welsh cob) with a high set neck. He is rather round. Did this company take a wither tracing and photos?
Oh, just reread your post and saw that it does have a horn! Very happy to hear abut the adjustable panel system.
Very nice! Can you tell me something about the kinds of chaps you are wearing? I keep wondering if for ranch versatility and western dressage I should get full chaps or those kinds.
I also compete in Ranch pleasure and ranch events (no “real” roping anything) with a square-skirted barrel saddle. I like the deep seat and the swinging fenders that allow me to really keep my leg underneath me.
Are we expected to rope anything in a ranch class? This is a skill I am sure I can’t learn.
Yes, anyone can learn and for any in those classes that needs roping, you don’t need to be a wizard at it.
Find someone to show you how, see that you do it correctly and get to practicing, even roping your toes when watching tv on your recliner. 
Shit just got real…
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