Western/Stock Saddles for the WB

[Ibex]

I’ve been tossing around the idea of getting an entry-level type saddle for my WB/TB mare for trailriding, and possibly introducing her to cattle to keep things from getting boring.

I currently only own a CC saddle that I can also ride my dressage tests in comfortably (we event and do jumpers). I’m debating between:

• a dressage saddle (maresy outgrew my old one so I sold it) since it would serve multiple purposes on the flat
• a Western saddle, because, hey, in for a penny, in for a pound
  or
• an aussie saddle, since from appearances it may split the difference?

The first one I have covered. Tell me about types, brands, and what to look for/avoid in the latter two pretty please! I’m working on the assumption that a solid, used saddle is a better choice than cheap and new, I just don’t know what makes an older western saddle “good” or “bad”…

[SouthernYankee]

I’d lean more towards a dressage saddle over the others, because you can show in it as well.

However you can probably find a decent western saddle for less than $500 if you really want one. When I was eventing (have since made the switch to reining and working cow) I had a western saddle for trail riding (H&H), I hated it but it fit the horse and worked for its occasional use. I traded it for my current saddle and I think I’ve got around $500 in my very nice almost new Billy Cook western saddle that fits any horse, but I got lucky with that saddle deal. If you can find a Billy Cook from Greenville Tx I’d look at it, stay away from the ones made in Oklahoma. Circle Y also makes a good affordable saddle. I’ve also found that a good saddle pad makes up for a lot of fit issues, so if you go the western route invest in a good one (I’m talking over $100- I love classic equine’s contourpedic or that type of pad).

In regards to an aussie saddle, I’ve got one of those too and I love it! But it was an expensive investment (that now sits in the tack room). If you’re set on one of those get a ‘real’ one not one of the cheap knock offs. And you can get a decent dressage saddle for what the good aussies cost.

[Pocket_Pony]

I’d stay away from an aussie saddle. I know a lot of people like them but the saddle fitter I work with says they generally don’t seem to fit horses or people very well. Plus, they’re ugly. :winkgrin:

I love having a western saddle. I like having a horn to rest my hand on or to loop my reins over or to tie my mecate rope around. For some reason I always wanted one! I do find my western saddle more comfortable for trail riding than my dressage saddle. With your long legs, there won’t be any knee roll/block problems to worry about.

Having said that, though, I find fitting western saddles a mystery. I’m lucky to have an independent fitter in my area who will come around with a trailer full of saddles to try and that’s how I found my last one. If I had to do it on my own it would be a big head scratcher.

[Fillabeana]

I’d go with the dressage saddle.
In the english saddle world, there exist entry-level saddles that can fit a horse and put a rider in a good position.

In the western saddle world, the real quality saddles (used) that will put you in anything more than just a sort-of, average position are expensive. In my opinion, entry-level western saddles do not exist that will do your riding/seat/position any favors. If you do go that route, there will probably be some consequences in terms of un-learning some body memories.
You might find a good used (plain, rough-out, no tooling or silver…in other words, a bit homely) Wade saddle-a real one, that puts you in a dressage seat- for $1500. McCall is a good brand there. Otherwise, you’re looking for a handmade saddle, on a handmade tree, and $1500 is going to get you something fairly old and probably not great to look at-though if it doesn’t need repairs, I’d sure go that route. And you can find handmade, non-Wade saddles that have a great seat in them, they just aren’t as common.

My mom has my Billy Cook saddle, an OK made one, and it is definitely a quality saddle. It put ME in a bit of a chair seat, but Mom has a bit bigger sit-upon, so her pelvis is further forward over the stirrups, and it puts her in a nice dressage-type seat. But…she really notices the difference when she rides in someone else’s quality Wade saddle. So anyway, $600 to $800 can buy you a well-made saddle that won’t get you into position trouble, if you look around, and give you something with a useable horn. My Billy Cook is heavy, and has a bullhide-wrapped wood tree, and you could rope off it. But a lot of $600 western saddles are made on some sort of flex tree or lightweight deal, you don’t want to actually use the horn for more than a hand-rest or grab strap. Even if you never rope live cattle, getting a horse good with a rope, with dragging railroad ties and such, is really, really good for the horse, and for making a broke one.

I wouldn’t go Aussie, those saddles are designed particularly for the rider to put his feet forward and brace against the stirrups:
http://www.downunderweb.com/store/media/RIDING_POSITION.JPG

So really, for the $$, I’d find a nice used dressage saddle, unless you need a saddle horn or must have a western saddle for any particular showing/competing.

[rugbygirl]

The only western saddles I’ve found to fit my Trak gelding were customs. There’s a local saddle maker who builds lovely saddles that start at 2500, no tooling/silver. He does a lot of work with working riders and rodeo people…his stuff its great.

I’ve ridden in two, on my horse, and I LOVED them. I decided not to waste my money on trying/selling used…once I commit to wanting Western, I’ll hop in line for a custom.

[Coreene]

I got a pimped out Crates show saddle on eBay. Had to have bling, so much so that i got a blinged headstall and reins as well. Swoon!

[Linda]

Im also looking for a saddle to trail ride my 17’2 TB WB gelding with shark fin withers. And let me tell you, it aint easy! I had an Aussie saddle but it just didn’t fit him right. Had it refitted 3 times and finally gave up on that one. Found a new home for it. The reason I want a western saddle, is that we live in some prime trail riding country and when I climb up or down some of the big hills on the trails, I feel like Im going to slide right out of my jumping saddle. While the dressage saddle has a slightly deeper seat, there still isn’t as much to that saddle as there is in a western saddle. Having said that, I have tried about 5 western saddles on him and think Im hopefully close to finding one that fits him. His withers are the issue. I took pictures of my horse that showed how narrow he is and how tall those withers are -and took them to a tack store that specialized in used western saddles. The guy helping me looked at the pictures and walked right over to a saddle he said he thought would work. So far, it looks like it will work. The other saddles I tried, sat right down on his withers when I put it on without a pad just to see how it would fit. But with a pad, 2 of them looked like they could work. So I rode in them and they were “ok” but Id prefer a little more clearance between his withers and the saddle. The saddle he picked out has clearance without the pad so I have it on trial and we’re giving it some trail miles to see how it works. Since I know it will settle some when we ride, I have an inch thick felt pad with cutouts for his withers that will give him some help when the saddle sits down on him some (with me in it!) Just sitting in it on him gives me a better feeling than sitting in my English saddles in terms of the deep seat for trail riding.

[craz4crtrs]

Also, look at barrel saddles if you have a high withered horse with bigger shoulders. I was negative about a barrel saddle until it was the only thing I could find to fit my mare. Even a custom saddle can be tricky. Had one made to fit my mare, which it did beautifully, but did not fit me at all.

I have a semi-custom saddle coming, but will take another 3-5 months. It is a Courts ladies all around. I needed the narrower twist with more padding in the front, mare needed the really wide full bar so we custom ordered the tree and the saddle is being made.

Been a real issue to find something to ride in other than my dressage saddle though. I have found an old Courts roper belonging to a friend, but thing weighs 55 pounds with the heavy stirrups, breast collar and flank cinch.