Well, I come from the English disciplines and have never needed to purchase a Western saddle. Since my husband has been a good sport about learning to ride in my English (‘torture device’), I think it’s time I bought him a Western saddle. The saddle will only be for occasional trail riding. The horse it will be used on is a 16.2 appy/tb that is stout with normal withers (defined but not prominent like tbs can get). My husband is 6’0" about 170, wears a 32x32 jean. I was thinking probably a 16" saddle, does that sound about right? Above all, I want the saddle to be comfortable. Suggestions? Thanks.
On the rare occasions that my husband rides, it is in a 16" older (1994) Circle Y Park and Trail saddle. He is 6’ and around 200# and it fits him well. I love the older Circle Ys, but would not touch a newer one for anything.
There are many good saddle makers out there, Circle Y is just one of the better known brands. Either way I think your on the right track with the saddle size, (but if a 17 is available don’t turn your back on it either) the problem like always is going to be in the fitting. You may need full bars but then again you may not. I’d suggest borrowing a few where you can to see what fits best. I’d also suggest a closer contact western saddle if your Hubby has been riding in an english saddle for even a little while. The feel is totally different with full skirts. A nice padded seat, but not overly padded. Stay away from the old equitation seats … cause, well … they just wont leave room for the boys. One last suggestion too is once you find a saddle, check into some thinner, lighter weight stirrups. Although I’ve ridden western most of my life those fat heavy ones just stink!
Good luck!
Many times Ive made mention that Im very pleased with the Weaver Saddle (not endorsing this company but offering the information on the saddle)
http://www.crazyhorsetack.com/weaverleathers.html
As part of my retraining (ottb’s) program, I use the horses for lessons and trail rides —and I use this saddle on my tb’s and all other horses equally with good fit every time – simply by adjusting which and how many saddle pads.
Also, when I have have men book a trail ride – they prove over and over again how comfortable this saddle is …as compared to my Wintec’s (which gave out rather quickly) and the Abettas’ which seem a bit close in the seat for the guys. :winkgrin:
At first, I didnt like the saddle, thought it had a bit of a hard, flat seat…but after 20-30 miles in it, the saddle started to fit …and broke in SO nicely, its the only one I pull off the rack for a ride now. Add a fleece saddle seat, a cantle bag on the back and your set for an all day ride. Plenty of loops for attaching anything, and everything.
The other thing…its lightweight… so when the guys (and folks nearly 200#'s) come to ride… the horses arent carrying all that weight… plus, trust me…its waterproof, weatherproof…still looking nearly new – and Im hard on my tack!! I ride everyday, any weather – just add rain gear, or quarter sheets for cold and snow, hot of summer with quarter fly sheets.
I spent $300 for mine several years ago…since Ive seen them on sale for $200/ no matter, Id spend the $300 gladly again and will when its time to get an additional saddle.
Oh, the matching bridle (halter bridle) and breastcollar are just as awesome ! Spent about $60 for ea. Prices vary depending on sellers
http://www.thefind.com/pets/info-synthetic-halter-bridle
http://thebrowncow.com/weaver-nylon-tack.cfm?category=225
If you don’t mind synthetics, the Fabtrons have a good feel and are American made in TN.
I would think he’d use a 16" seat, yes.
Depending on what you’re looking to spend a Tucker would be super comfy-
Make sure you have your hubby try riding in a western saddle first though- My DH didn’t love my dressage saddle, but HATES any of the western saddles he’s sat in. Turns out he likes my Patriot or my endurance saddle best.
Oh, now you are talking the crown jewel of saddles in a Tucker. I have an endurance tucker and its to die for!
but then, I paid $1200 for it, and that was a steal!
If there’s any way to take it on a trial ride or two with man and horse, definitely do it. There can be a lot of variation in the way they fit and ride. I agree that 16" should be fine. I also prefer older saddles and higher-end saddles (older, high-end…yum). There are a ton of cheap, badly-made saddles on the market, and some have serious flaws like twisted or buckled trees. Things that are hard to see on the rack, but will make your horse sore.
Also, if you find the perfect saddle but the seat isn’t quite perfect, there is a nice variety of seat savers on the market–from a simple fleece full cover to ones geared toward just the seat bones.
sycamore Creek Saddles
I just bought a saddle for my hubby. He rode in my english cc and dressage, and was not secure enough for him, and we both weren’t thrilled with our older western roping saddle - too heavy.
A friend lent us a Tucker endurance - think western without the horn - and it was just right. So…I began a search and found Sycamore Creek - Tony is great to work with, the saddle really is custom as you send in a tracing of your horse with pics of the horse and they build it in Costa Rica. It took about a month to get here but we are happy with it. I changed out the strap from synthetic to leather and am thinking of buying girth converters, then use an english girth, he could then tighten from the saddle if need be. His is the TAF001-A. Great price, too…good luck
[QUOTE=sunnycher;5341849]
I changed out the strap from synthetic to leather and am thinking of buying girth converters, then use an english girth, he could then tighten from the saddle if need be. [/QUOTE]
Are you tying a girth knot or using the buckle? If the latter, you might try knotting before changing your girth over. It’s a lot easier for me to tighten a knotted western girth from the saddle than to work the little buckles on an English girth while mounted, and it moves me less off-balance. Shift your leg back, loosen the knot, pull up on the latigo, re-tighten knot, done. (Unless the saddle is the type where the rigging is buried up in the skirts–then a knot just sucks.)
