I rode english for a short while about 6 yrs ago and I want to try it again. I don't know alot about english saddles so I need some help. I am looking on line at a few used ones. All of them are in good condition . One is a Coubette,2 Crosby,2 Stubben, 1 Borelli, 1 Kincade. Can anyone tell me from personal experience which brands are the best and which ones to stay away from? The Courbette is only $89.00. It is older but looks great. Is that a good deal? It has rather large flaps though and my horse is only 13.1 hands. Ok all you english riders...please help! What do I need to look for in an english saddle?(Brand, fitting,style,comfort) I will only be using it for trail riding and maybe lessons but I want something with a good resale value in case I decide not to stick with it.
My mare uses a 6" gullet westen saddle. What size should I look for in english? She 13.1 hands and is not real wide and her withers are average(maybe a little on the low side).
2007-11-01 08:48:00 · 10 answers · asked by Doglady77 2 in Pets ➔ Horses
I am looking at All purpose ones and a few close contact. I only want it for trail riding. So besides the Ap what other style is ok for trails?
2007-11-01 09:18:23 · update #1
One thing to note about saddles is the flocking. Over time (and with use on different horses through the years) the wool flocking in an English saddle will compact down unevenly, creating poor fit and pressure points. Many many used English saddles need to be reflocked.
So, while $89 is a great deal, if it needs $400 in reflocking to be useful, you're probably better off buying a better saddle.
Likewise, stitching comes undone over time, girth billets crack, the stirrup bars can break off, if the stirrup has been yanked off time and time again from people falling & getting their foot caught up. And it's also possible that a used saddle could have been in a serious fall and have had suffered a broken tree.
If you are not famililar enough with saddles to determine wear patterns, tree soundness, and fit properly you should have the saddle checked by a professional saddle fitter. Your local English tack store should be able to provide you with at least a name or number of a saddle fitter.
Resale value on a good quality english saddle in well kept condition should be about the same as original purchase price. Many name brands of english saddles hold their value well if well cared for, while others aren't even worth the original purchase price.
But a saddle that hasn't been cared for well over it's life will not be worth much. And if it hasn't been cared for well, odds are, there's something that's going to need to be fixed. And rather than starting with costly problems, might as well spend a little more and get a better quality used saddle.
If you take your english saddle, hold it upside down in front of you, with the pommel facing the ground, and the cantle facing up, and the seat facing into your belly, look down through the saddle - look at the panels along the gullet - you will be able to see if they are uneven, compressed in some spots, turned in, or have other issues.
If you look down the "trench" of the saddle and can clearly see that one panel is higher than the other; there's dips and valleys in the panels; or the panels do not run parallell to each other - it's a good sign that the saddle needs reflocking.
Courbettes are great saddles - when newly bought, they are a nice- mid range affordable beginner saddle that can hold up well when cared for.
Kincades are nice, never heard of Borelli.
Crosby & Stubben are 2 of the best names in English saddles. When newly bought, these are quite expensive saddles - easily reaching into the $2500 mark for a new one. They hold their value when cared for, and can last a long long long time.
I personally love Collegiate saddles - in my opinion they are the best mid-range saddle you can possibly look at buying. They hold their value nicely and are excellent beginner, intermediate, and advanced level saddles. Might want to consider a Collegiate in your search as well.
But definetly make sure you get a professional, experienced, knowledgeable fitter to help you make the best choice for a saddle that is going to fit the pony as well as yourself.
2007-11-01 10:46:59 · answer #1 · answered by AmandaL 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The most important thing is that the saddle fits your horse. I'd go with which ever one fits her best. You should make sure that when you put the saddle on her without any pads that it doesn't pinch her anywhere. Also, if you stand behind her and look under the cantle you should be able to see daylight on the other side. If they all fit her equally as well, go with which every you find the most comfortable. If you are tall, and you are mostly doing flat work, you will want a saddle with longer flaps. I'm shortish and sometimes when I ride in saddles that have really big flaps I'm pretty uncomfortable. In terms of length (pommel to cantle) it really depends on how big you are. If you aren't sure go for a bigger size because it's wicked uncomfortable if you saddle is so small you're riding on the cantle. Personally, I love stubbens, they are good quality and last a long time.
2007-11-01 09:23:32 · answer #2 · answered by gang$tahtooth 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My #1 saddle advice, especially for english saddles it to get the right size. It is EXTREMELY improtant that the saddle fits your pony's back well. Poor fitting saddles can cause serious back problems. If the Courbette would be too big for your pony DO NOT get it. The vet bills that could happen from an ill-fitting saddle wouln't be worth it.
2007-11-01 08:53:28 · answer #3 · answered by MADDIness 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
what i did was go to a tack store and pick out about 5/6 saddles, and later a pro fitter came out and watched me ride and saw how they fit my horse and chose the best one for me. i love my saddle :]
see if you can take a few "on trial" or whatever, and try them on your pony.
since she's only 13.1 i would say stay away from longer flaps because it might you guys look unproportioned. if she is not really wide, i would say get a normal tree width. make sure it properly fits her before you buy one, that's th emost important thing in my opinion. good luck! :]
2007-11-01 13:36:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt get a saddle older than 3yrs old for 89.00 then the leather might start to go bad~! Good luck finding a saddle
2007-11-01 08:55:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the style of riding you want to do. There are dressage, hunter jumper, close contact....all kinds of saddles. If you intend to show this will be an issue as you're judged on your tack as well as performance.
I liked my little cheepo jumping saddle ($125.00 new) Since the leathers are adjustable I could go in two different English classes -- hunter hack, short stirrup, English pleasure, longer stirrup.
There are some brilliant horsey people here. Hey Mulerein!! Where you at momma, give this lady the word.
2007-11-01 08:54:50 · answer #6 · answered by reynwater 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
all i know is don't get a close contact saddle. i rode in one this weekend, then i rode in an all purpose one, the difference is insane. the all purpose ones are sooooo much more comftorble. (how do u spell that?) anyway, i never bought a saddle, so i don't know which brand is best. i've heard good things about wintec.
good luck!
2007-11-01 09:27:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't worry about it - this tends to happen if they are stored for any length of time. And I suppose it was probably curled when it was posted to you. I got one in a similar shape - use will sort it out.
2016-04-01 23:05:30 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're best best if to take some out on trial and see what best fits you and you're horse. it's not a fast process but it's the best thing!
2007-11-01 08:51:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really like wintec its pretty good quality and its not too expencive
2007-11-01 11:49:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋