Western Saddle Search Questions

[cmdrcltr]

I’m looking for a western saddle for my Paint. Someone else in my barn has a Crates trail saddle that fits him well. Another saddle that has fit in the past was a borrowed synthetic Abetta.

So I’m scouring the web-watching ebay and other sites-for a saddle that will work for him. The Crates has the Steele Equifit tree with QH bars and a 6 5/8 inch gullet. I have no idea what the Abetta’s measurements were. Does anyone know what the trees are in there?

Money, of course, is the object. I don’t have a lot to spend, so I can’t just order myself a brand new Crates saddle with that tree in it. I’m looking to spend $600 or less. I also need a saddle with very short square skirts or a round skirt because of my horse’s short back.

Looking for any advice for brands that use the Steele Equifit tree and/or the tree (or tree shape) that is in the Abetta saddles.

Really want to be sure that the saddle doesn’t put me in a chair seat; I’m a lower level dressage rider who wants a trail saddle and who may dabble in western dressage for fun.

Thanks!

[DressageFancy]

You need to do the coat hanger fit thing where you mold a coat hanger to fit the horses bars. Then take the hanger with you when you saddle shop and fit the shaped hanger to the saddle trees to get the correct size for your horse. Also, when you first take the molded hanger off the horse lay it on a peice of newspaper and trace it with majic marked to be sure you don’t accidently change the shape (of the hanger) from your barn to the tack shop.

[cmdrcltr]

Well, I’ve done that, but that’s just the front of the saddle. Just like English trees, there are different shapes from brand to brand. I’m hoping that some posters with more extensive Western knowledge than I might suggest some other brands that use the Equifit tree, since I know that’s a good fit for my horse. I’m looking for a good used saddle, not a new cheaply made one, but many brands don’t tell you what brand of tree is inside.

[Pocket_Pony]

Here’s a link to saddle brands that use the Equifit tree: http://www.equi-flex.com/V.html

If you poke around on that site you’ll see that they have tree molds that they’ll send you to see which one is best for your horse. Then, presumably, you could go to whichever vendor you like and see what they have built on which tree.

I’ve been going through saddle-shopping hell, so I get where you’re coming from! Good luck!

[cmdrcltr]

Thanks for the link, Pocket Pony!

[garlicbunny]

Thats too bad because Crates is a great saddle, We have two 2171 W with the rounded skirts. They are well made quality saddles that should last a long long time! You don;t see too many used ones…too bad. Saddle searching is a pain but good luck!

[garlicbunny]

I just looked at the company’s that have the steel trees. I have heard Fabtron is a big seller and is one of the nicer cordura saddles out there.

[qhwpmare]

Love my Fabtron Lady Trail Saddle w/flex tree !

[DressageFancy]

I own a Lady Fabtron. It is a very nice fitting saddle for both the horse(s) and me. I use it on two quarter horses and a walker/paint cross. The saddle is leather on the seat and cordura on the fenders/skirt. I have had both knees replaced and find that the cordura fenders turn easier releaving knee stress for me. The price on the Fabtron saddles is in the mediumn range for western saddles making a new one within your price range. I come across a Fabtron on Craig’s List every now and then also. So you might be able to pick up a used one at a pretty good price.

[cmdrcltr]

Thank you for the replies! I just found a used Crates that appears to have the same tree as the one I’ve tried. I’m going to email Crates to verify that, and then my search may be over.