Looking for a training saddle (roughout, extra D rings) but I need the lightest weight, shortest one for a horse that’s wide but has a short back. My hubby will be riding in it as well (5’9, 200 lbs) so I don’t want a 30+ lb saddle for the horse to carry in addition to him. I am looking to spend < $1000, new or used. Any recommended brands?
Well, that price may be a little tight for the better saddles.
Here are some for sale, maybe some there that fit your purpose:
http://www.ranchworldads.com/index.php?cat_id=12
In practically every higher volume training stable, cutting, reining, working cowhorse and such around here, you can find some of this type saddle used every day, all day long, some old and still holding up very well:
http://www.bobssaddles.com/saddle-detail.php?target=1681
Working students coming back from stints with those trainers say everyone fights over those saddles, makes riding so much easier.
You won’t find many of those for sale, they are snatched up as soon as someone lists one.
You probably could find some kind of saddle that fit locally.
Have you tried asking the training stables around you?
Those training saddles IME are always heavy as lead. They seem to be built for a lot of rough use, so they are just so darn stout they aren’t fun for casual use.
They have a light model also …
Yes, a Huber from Red Huber in KY. I love mine! It is short and fit my friends wide short-backed mare. I believe it is 27 inches front to back. Brand new, it is $900 or so. For an extra treat, pick up a pair of his coconut oil reins as well!
OP, you probably can look at some local saddle makers, ask any livestock sales or horse trainers around you who makes those.
They probably even tell you if it doesn’t fit you don’t have to buy it, they can always sell them to someone else.
That is what they do here.
I have a Chavez work saddle that is single skirted, so lighter. It’s short and wide and works well on mutton withered short backed Arabians.
I don’t have any local tack stores, saddle fitters, or saddle makers, so I have to do EVERYTHING online. I should add that it doesn’t necessarily have to be a training saddle, the key is keeping the weight under 30lbs and allowing for a short back and big shoulders. And of course the budget. I could push it to a little over $1000, but definitely nothing over $1500.
Here you can get an idea of prices and kinds of saddles:
http://shop.coolhorse.com/store/category/Saddles#/?_=1&page=1
They ship all over, but you kind of have to know what you want and if what is there is that.
This is just like mine, but I purchased mine in your budget previously owned: https://www.rods.com/dale-chavez-training-saddle-3.html?___store=default&OS=6&msclkid=1cd429278d5a1b3986147367af5cc853&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(ROI)%20Shopping%20-%20All%20Products&utm_term=1104001408003&utm_content=All%20Products
This does make it challenging. As you know, you just don’t know if a saddle fits a horse until you place it on their back.
While I don’t have any personal experience myself, I know quite a few people who are very happy with Corriente saddles. They have a great price point for a new saddle, and I’m pretty sure they will ship bare trees for fitting purposes. You could easily get something “plain jane” made.
I was able to try a Billy Royal. It definitely looks too long to me, but the fit seemed good. I didn’t ride in it, but just feeling under the saddle I liked the way it felt and that it had room for his huge shoulders. Here
