Are all purpose saddle worth buying?

Question

I want to buy a Collegiate close contact, but I've had trouble finding a used one. There are a lot of all purpose Collegiates for sale. Are all purpose saddles worth the money? I heard they aren't that good because they are not specifically for one discipline. I do hunter/jumping.
Thanks!

I am a beginner rider- if that makes a difference.

I am going to start showing this season. Thats why I need to buy a saddle asap.

Answer 1

I've found that all purpose saddles aren't much good for anything but trail rides.

Find out what you're interested and get a saddle suited for that. If you're interested in jumping/hunters/eventing, get a jump saddle. You can get one with knee rolls or without if you prefer close contact. If you want a close contact saddle, hold out and you can probably find a better one than a Collegiate used as well.

Whenever I jumped in an AP saddle (friends, etc.) I got major bruising on my legs & pubic bone because of it!!! I hate riding in them.

What you should do is go to a tack store and pick a couple of saddles out and take them home to try them to see how they feel and fit. You'd just need to leave a deposit with the store so they have something in case the saddle gets destroyed.

Answer 2

An all purpose saddle is fine, but it has to fit! Do not bother buying it off e:bay or the internet! Chances are that it will not fit your horse and saddle fit is paramount for the performance and comfort of the horse. If something is even slightly wrong then you risk ruining your horses back which will lead to either refusal to perform certain tasks, or if you continue to ignore the signals, anti social behaviors such as rearing, bucking or refusal to be mounted or even saddled! Also saddles on the internet could come with a broken tree or other defects which are conveniently not shown on the picture, or you could get something different completely! Get a saddler to come with several saddles of approximate size and within your budget - you can get some really good and sound second hand saddles which are bargains! He will take measurements, watch how the horse moves his back and shoulders and will watch you ride him. he will then fit something he thinks might work and then have you doing sitting trot for at least 10 minutes without stirrups to allow the saddle to settle. he will then remove the saddle and check for pressure marks both on the saddle and on the horse. If it is a near fit he may be able to improve it by either removing, moving or adding stuffing which he can do on the yard. You might get a better price if you decide to do a partial swap with your old saddle!

Answer 3

AP saddles are great for: the beginner that isn't so advanced in their discipline that the saddle itself won't make a huge difference, the rider that hasn't chosen one discipline specifically, the pleasure rider that plans to do a lot of different things but only want to purchase one saddle.

If you are fairly set on HJ and plan on showing, I would recommend that you go out and buy yourself the appropriate saddle. Collegiate is a great brand and it's hard to go wrong, even used. I'd try looking through some horse forums in their (tack) classified section, as well as eBay and your local consignment shops.

Best of luck...

Answer 4

An all purpose saddle will most likely suit your needs as a novice rider in the show ring. You will not be able to do any dressage properly in this saddle, it simply does not allow you to properly align your lower leg and hip for dressage riding. But for flat work in a hunter jumper ring and for low fences in your novice ranking you should be just fine in this saddle.

You can always move up into a better saddle as your skills and horsemanship improve. The important thing here is the fit to your horse and your seat. I'd buy locally and from a dealer who will allow you to try the saddle on the horse and will allow you to ride in it a few times to see whether or not it is the saddle for you.

Answer 5

If your just a beginner I'd go for an all purpose. They work fine for a while, but if you can go for a saddle with a specific disapline. I Barrel Race and all purpose saddles never worked for me. You can start with an all purpose but you'll need to get a hunter/jumper saddle eventually.

Answer 6

If you are going to be very serious about Jumping, you need to buy a jumping saddle. They can improve your riding skills, as well as protect your horse from back injury.

All purpose saddles are great for trail and pleasure, but please invest in a jumping saddle if you are going to take this seriously.

Answer 7

Depends on what you want it for. Are you showing? Just riding for pleasure? It also depends on your preference. I don't like all purpose saddles because the seat is deeper. I'd hold out for what you really want. A saddle is a big investment and it would be better to wait and get what you want then get something you don't really want sooner.

Answer 8

All I have ever bought were all purpose and they work great for me. Since you are a beginner, an all purpose will work fine. But, if you plan on showing or seriously jumping soon get a close contact.

Answer 9

i havent heard of them reffered to as all purpose saddles, but what i use and practically everone uses is a general purpose saddle.
theese are very comfortable, and can be used in all discepines.
i have used mine for:
showing
jumping
hunting
racing
cross country
eventing
endurance
pony club

you name it, a general purpose is for you! especially as you are just starting.

unless you are seriously dedicated towards one discipline go for genral purpose. and in leather if you can, they are much nicer to use and look at that synthetic ones!

well good luck! and enjoy!

Answer 10

one size doesnt fit all
self cleaning dosent clean
and wrinkle free was invented as a marketing approach.
my answer is no. if you are doing Hunter and Jumping then
go with your mindset and dont settle for anythingless be patient
it will pay off