Where to find a BIG used Saddle

[woweezowee]

I’m interested in purchasing a used English saddle for my father to use to trail ride and possibly hilltop in the future. (After all, he pays the horse bills… he should get to ride one too!) He’s about 5’10" and over 200 lbs, definitely NOT flexible and an extreme novice rider, so I am hoping the saddle will be big and comfortable. How big of a seat would he need? I haven’t been able to find many at 18" and hardly any used saddles at that size.

Also I’ve only ever purchased close contact for hunter shows… for actual hunting does an all purpose make more sense?

Located in Unionville, PA if you have any shopping suggestions in the area. Thank you!!!

[Bogie]

I’ve seen several 19" stubbens on ebay.

When my hubby wanted to ride I bought him a 17" western abetta saddle. Inexpensive and secure!

[woweezowee]

Bogie,

I’m definitely buying the saddle before the horse which sounds terrible but I know Ebay can be a treasure trove – you just have to catch it at the right time!! I was thinking about a Western saddle (really, who likes posting?!?). Thanks for the suggestion!

[tinah]

You also might want to look at Australian Stock Seats. I have one that I used for about 2 years for LONG trail rides. Now that I’m back in jumping saddles, I miss it some days.

[greeneyelioness]

check out this site http://bitsandbarter.proboards.com

if you are close to york county the 4-h is having a huge tack sale on the 9th, plus we also have a tack shop called a bit more tack. really decent used selection.

you can also try this tack shop that has a HUGE consignment shop in NY but also offer online shopping and trials www.usedsaddles.com

and you can also check out this site:http://www.con-tack.com this has been the best consignment shop i have ever been to. they are also in NY but do online shopping as well.

[Bogie]

Just check with your hunt before hand to find out if they allow Western saddles. Some do, others don’t.

My husband was just not secure enough in an english saddle. Even though he originally said he didn’t want the horn once he tried one he was sold! I think the saddle cost about $265 NEW. It definitely was the right choice for us.

@woweezowee;4433274

Bogie,

I’m definitely buying the saddle before the horse which sounds terrible but I know Ebay can be a treasure trove – you just have to catch it at the right time!! I was thinking about a Western saddle (really, who likes posting?!?). Thanks for the suggestion!

[Equibrit]

I just donated one to Sunkissed Acres for them to auction/raffle off. Try emailing Lori http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/member.php?u=89990

[meupatdoes]

If he weighs over 200 pounds and is a novice you are going to want to make especially sure that that saddle fits whatever horse you put it on.

There really is no point in purchasing a saddle unless you have both the person who is going to ride in it and the horse it is going to sit on in the same place.

It would be awesome if life was easier than that, but denial won’t make it so.

That said, once you know what he will be riding, I think Trumbull Mountain would be a fantastic resource for you. They have a wide selection of new and used saddles and can help people find the right fit for both horse and rider.

[Invite]

Check out Pelham Saddlery. They are located in NH, but have a website. Unfortuntely, I do not have their website. I believe it is either pelham-saddlery.com or pelhamsaddlery.com. Last time I checked, they had several “larger” used saddles. Good luck:)

[QUOTE=woweezowee;4433253]
I’m interested in purchasing a used English saddle for my father to use to trail ride and possibly hilltop in the future. (After all, he pays the horse bills… he should get to ride one too!) He’s about 5’10" and over 200 lbs, definitely NOT flexible and an extreme novice rider, so I am hoping the saddle will be big and comfortable. How big of a seat would he need? I haven’t been able to find many at 18" and hardly any used saddles at that size.

Also I’ve only ever purchased close contact for hunter shows… for actual hunting does an all purpose make more sense?

Located in Unionville, PA if you have any shopping suggestions in the area. Thank you!!![/QUOTE]

[Jaegermonster]

Somebody just posted a used 20" english saddle on FOL, their husband lost interest. You might want to go post there and see if whoever posted it will respond.

[JWB]

check out www.usedsaddles.com. They let you take the saddles out on test ride.

[Bogie]

Just keep in mind that you need a large horse with a looonngg back to support a 20" saddle. Otherwise you run the risk of making your horse’s back sore by putting pressure beyond the last rib.

I’m 6’ tall with a very long femur. A was interested in a particular saddle and the dealer told me I would need a 19" to accommodate my thigh. I tried it on my TB and realized that it was going to really cause problems for him and ended up buying a saddle with a very forward flap and a shorter seat.

If you are buying for a larger man without really good balance, buying a longer saddle might be an issue. You really need to find a saddle that will distribute his weight well through the panels . . . . one of the reasons why I bought the Western saddle for my 6’2" 225 lb husband.

As others have said, buying the saddle before the horse is not the optimum approach. Depending on the particular horse, you might find that the saddle fits your Dad fine but causes issues for the horse.

@Jaegermonster;4434163

Somebody just posted a used 20" english saddle on FOL, their husband lost interest. You might want to go post there and see if whoever posted it will respond.

[wateryglen]

just my humble opinion!

I think Bogie’s right. It’s not the seat that needs to be huge…the flaps need to accomodate his long legs. Most men don’t have fat butts. I’m sure an 18 will fit him but look for one with an extra forward or extra long flap. Many new saddles can be ordered that way. Why not try an innexpensive brand that you can get custom ordered new? I suggest Thornhill for example. I have a used 19 with long flap thats their trail riding saddle and it’s english so it can be used hunting too. Very comfy. Look for their Jorge Canaveras or something like that. It’ll be hard to find a used one but keep looking. Got mine at a local tack shop.

[S1969]

This was in our Craigslist a couple of weeks ago:

Collegiate Senior Event Saddle - $625
Like new in excellent condition. 18 1/2" seat

http://albany.craigslist.org/grd/1400717467.html

Not super cheap but looks very nice.

[AnotherRound]

I would have to agree with the idea of an austrailian stock saddle. I am also thinking of the McClellen style saddles. You might want to investigate the endurance saddles, they might be more appropriate for the hunt, yet they would have the structure you need for his balance and security. I would be interested in the saddles you look at and what you determine is good, in the end.

I also would be very carefule to fit the saddle to the horse as well. Unbalanced weight can create problems quickly, therefore the more the saddles puts him in the correct position the better.

This is what I was thinking of: http://www.trumbullmtn.com/Saddle_Pics/Usedendurance_pics/452585.jpg

Its from trumbull mountain, last in the pics of their used endurance saddles. This one is 18" but gives you an idea of a style/brand which might do the trick for hilltopping.

[woweezowee]

[QUOTE=wateryglen;4434565]
I think Bogie’s right. It’s not the seat that needs to be huge…the flaps need to accomodate his long legs. Most men don’t have fat butts. I’m sure an 18 will fit him but look for one with an extra forward or extra long flap.[/QUOTE]

This is a great suggestion and makes sense.

I am definitely going to explore different types of saddles with more padding/support like the Western & stock or trail riding saddles mentioned.

We’re in no rush and probably will wait for the horse first (as per your suggestions). I realized since we are looking at older horses (adoptable or hand-me-downs) or horses with minor health problems that are still suitable to trail riding, a well-fitting saddle is even more pertinent.

[xeroxchick]

They have some big ones at fineusedsaddles.com. They are very nice ones.

[nightsong]

I would go with an endurance saddle. They are built for comfort and security; many come in sizes for men. Try “troopers’” saddles.