Western saddle questions...

[ExJumper]

Let's say that I wanted to have a western saddle to play around with:

1) Are those Wintec synthetic ones okay quality? They are pretty cheap, and I don't want to put very much $$ into this little experiment.

2) Are seat sizes comparable? If I ride in a 17.5 english saddle, would I get a 17 or an 18 inch western saddle?

3) How do they do tree size? Some on ebay said "full quarter horse bars" and some said "semi quarter horse bars"... How do I know what will fit a horse who takes a medium tree in a County. It doesn't have to be perfect, 'cause I'm not going to use it all the time, but I don't want it to be TOTALLY wrong, either.

I just think that it would be really fun to have one, for fooling around and trail riding and pony riding my friends and stuff...

[Huntertwo]

http://www.western-saddle-guide.com/

Here is a good site that might answer some of your questions. As far as seat size. English is generally 2 inches bigger than Western.

If you take a 17.5 in an English saddle, you'd take a 15.5 in a Western.

The much older Wintecs were pretty good. Personally I hate the new ones. They seem to sit on top of the horse and don't have the longer more secure hugging skirts like the older ones.

There are lot of other synthetics out there. I like the Abettas.

[mvp]

Hunter Two is right about seat sizes, but their shape will vary depending on the style of the saddle. A show saddle will be a well-balanced bucket that nicely lines you up ankle, hip, shoulder, ear.

Western saddles don't have to fit as precisely as English saddles, especially for your purposes. The spread out your weight and theirs over a much larger surface area, so the margin for error is a bit larger. Every saddle makers has a different idea of what counts as a Full QH bars, versus Semi-QU, versus Arabian. They also have terminology to describe the tree in all three dimensions. I'm not an expert here.

But, please, please go look for a good used western saddle before you buy a synthetic POS. The old ones are well-made and a 20 year old western saddle is a very sound investment, much better than an english saddle of the same age. It could take some research, but I think you will be very happy for a long time if you put in the effort to find one western saddle you will like and find very useful. I did that and have one I'll keep for the rest of my life. I hope you can do the same!

[Bluey]

If you are not going to do any hard riding in a western saddle, get it a little bit larger than ideal.
We use a tight saddle for ranch work, but a little roomier for arena work.

A good used western saddle will cost much less and resell for the same ten years later.

Semi quarter horse bars should fit most horses but the mutton wither, barrel shaped very stocky ones.
Full quarter horse bars fit those better, although, as already mentioned, you can use more or less pads, cut back or built up pads, etc. and make many adjustments easily with many western saddles.
A good used western saddle may have all tooling and be nicely broken in.

[jengersnap]

Avoid wintec westerns. Unlike their english counterparts, they are cheap pieces of...synthetic plastic stuff...that never break in or really mold to a horse's back. If you have to go synthetic (and I'm not knocking it, I have a half and half for crappy weather and when I want to throw on a lighter weight saddle then my stocks), look at abetta, big horn, circle Y, fabtron, or even the weaver synthetics over a wintec.

Everything said by the other posters is spot on too :) I'm actually ordering an aussie stock for my dressage mare. I think it's going to be the perfect hybrid trail saddle for her.

[ExJumper]

Okay, after reading your comments I went onto eBay...and WOW am I out of my element...

Am I on track here? I'd like something that my 6'5" husband can squeeze into two or three times a year, but I don't want it to be TOO TOO big for me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170323329376

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120409664920

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=390046269471

Am I even in the ballpark?

It's a little hard for my snobby County/Antares/Prestige/Edgewood/Jimmys mindset to go TOO cheap, so I want something that isn't going to make me cry when I look at the leather. But whereas with english tack I know the brands and know the keywords, I am at a loss here.

[Bluey]

Okay, after reading your comments I went onto eBay...and WOW am I out of my element...

Am I on track here? I'd like something that my 6'5" husband can squeeze into two or three times a year, but I don't want it to be TOO TOO big for me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170323329376

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120409664920

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=390046269471

Am I even in the ballpark?

It's a little hard for my snobby County/Antares/Prestige/Edgewood/Jimmys mindset to go TOO cheap, so I want something that isn't going to make me cry when I look at the leather. But whereas with english tack I know the brands and know the keywords, I am at a loss here.

This would be a better saddle:

http://cgi.ebay.com/16-CIRCLE-Y-WESTERN-SHOW-PARK-TRAIL-SADDLE-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ320361167980QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH _DefaultDomain_0?hash=item320361167980&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Don't you have a tack shop close by you could try some for size?
Is your husband rather large of seat?

[jengersnap]

The last one (circle Y park and trail) is a good saddle, nice big seat that would probably suit hubby but you could use as well. However it's going to go up from the $9.99 price for sure. Do a search on completed circle y park and trails and you'll get an idea on where the used ones range. The first (Dr. J?) looks like low end, and the middle one looks like india junk.

Don't forget horse tack review for more indepth by brand reviews. Try to stick to names you can find. Western isn't unlike english in that respect.

http://www.horsetackreview.com/results-reader-reviews/Trail%20Saddles

[ExJumper]

Don't you have a tack shop close by you could try some for size?
Is your husband rather large of seat?

You know, I'm always complaining because there aren't any english tack shops around here, but I think we actually might have a western one...

My husband isn't heavy, he's just very tall. 220 pounds, 6'4". Not a rail, but not huge, either. He likes to ride a little bit -- walking and trotting, a few times a year -- but his huge size 15 feet don't even fit safely in ANY of the english saddles I can track down.

So would a 16 work okay for him do you think?

Thanks SOOO much for the help, everyone, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!!!

[ExJumper]

The last one (circle Y park and trail) is a good saddle, nice big seat that would probably suit hubby but you could use as well. However it's going to go up from the $9.99 price for sure. Do a search on completed circle y park and trails and you'll get an idea on where the used ones range. The first (Dr. J?) looks like low end, and the middle one looks like india junk.

Don't forget horse tack review for more indepth by brand reviews. Try to stick to names you can find. Western isn't unlike english in that respect.

http://www.horsetackreview.com/results-reader-reviews/Trail%20Saddles

Thanks! I'll keep researching.

Now I'm on a mission!!!!

[Bluey]

Most men around here, even the heavier ones, ride a 16" seat, as long as it is not built up in front too much.

Some cutters like the 17" flat seats, but that is for arena riding, would be maybe not as comfortable to use for trail riding, or beginners sitting on them for several hours trail riding.

The better saddles are built on hand shaped leather seats and make you go ahhhh when you sit on one, after sitting on those other cheap, stiff, hard ones, that don't quite fit our anatomy sometimes.;)

[ExJumper]

Most men around here, even the heavier ones, ride a 16" seat, as long as it is not built up in front too much.

Some cutters like the 17" flat seats, but that is for arena riding, would be maybe not as comfortable to use for trail riding, or beginners sitting on them for several hours trail riding.

The better saddles are built on hand shaped leather seats and make you go ahhhh when you sit on one, after sitting on those other cheap, stiff, hard ones, that don't quite fit our anatomy sometimes.;)

Perfect!! At least that narrows down my search. I'll look for a 16", semi QH bars saddle.

This little research project will be WAY more exciting that actually doing anything constructive at work tomorrow!

[mvp]

I like the third Circle Y, dark oil, not light oil and silver trim best. It looks like the best made, best leather saddle of the four.

Consider the shape of the seat and swells, too. I think the first pair were reining saddles, or hybrids designed along those lines. Reining saddles tend to be very flat and open and somewhat hard while the silvered up show saddle will be a soft bucket. If you want to post at all, I'd look for a round-looking pair of swells (on either side of the horn). The more square ones are useful if you want to hook your thighs on something bucking. They also add more room to the seat, but I hate running into them if I post.

The horn will similarly be different shapes for reining, roping and pleasure/show. Not a fan of particularly tall horns. Roping saddles will also tend to be the heaviest, as you can imagine, with the double-skirted show saddles coming second.

Otherwise, the online tack review is a good idea. But it might not give you much information about the really old and great saddles out there.

Best of luck with your Mission From God.

[CoopsZippo]

Different saddles for the different Western disciplines are different too. I like a barrel saddle. It sits deep with a very high pommel, horn, and cantle. I also like a rough out seat and jockeys. I ride in a 15 in.

Hubby likes his training saddle. It is also a rough out saddle. But his pommel is shorter and his cantle is 4" and his horn is shorter. He is 6"1" and rides in a 15 saddle also. I don't like his saddle as much as mine because I like a deeper seat.

Your best bet is to sit in many and see what you like.

[Hoofprince in Mud]

I have a slick fork ranch saddle, similar to a Wade. It is most excellent. The horse and I are very pleased.

The first saddle would need to be looked at in person, so see the quality of the workmanship, but in the photo, it doesn't look "tight"

The other two are no goes if you want them anywhere near a horse's back.

The equitation show saddle looks the pick of the bunch, if you don't mind your legs in a chair seat.

Sit in saddles, many saddles, so you know what your bottom likes. Try them on your horse.

As well as ebay, also check out Tack Trader, local people, selling used saddles will often bring the saddle to you, to try on your horse. After all, you might just buy it, if it works.

[Coreene]

Mine arrived this morning, I bought a silver show saddle and I love it! :D A flex tree is not the way to go (told this by both a world champion and a tack manufacturer). Cinch on its way, along with a lovely ESP pad (couldn't find a PRO pad in a print that was not too OTT). I always wanted a bling-bling Pimpmobile show saddle.

[jvanrens]

Oh Coreene! You found one. :D Do tell, what brand? Pictures?? :winkgrin:

[jeano]

I will mention here that if 6'5 hubby is going to be putting the saddle on the horse than any old good used, broke in HEAVY western saddle will do you fine.

But if YOU are, say, 5', 120#, and the horse is 16 hands, you will find hucking that saddle up on and over your horse to be quite a workout. Many leather western saddles weigh well in excess of 40 pounds, especially the older ones.

The Abetta saddles are light, comfortable, durable and affordable. They have the same trees as heavier and pricier saddles. I'm just sayin.

[jengersnap]

Just noticed both the Circle Ys linked to (and perhaps the others, didn't look at them again) do not have saddle strings/ties on the backs. If you're trail riding, you're probably going to want to tie something on, even if just occassionally, like a jacket or a saddle bag. The third saddle (circle Y park & trail) did have the little D rings for adding tie straps though. With trail saddles, comfort and convienance for you and the horse are the first considerations.

[ddashaq]

I love older Circle Y trail saddles-- they are super comfy and made very well. I agree with others that actually trying some out is the best course of action, but I bought mine off ebay 10 years ago and it worked out just fine. I know lots of people like the synthetics, but the Wintecs are junk and the Abettas I dealt with (10 years ago!) were not much better. The quality may well have improved, but I would want to get my hands on them first. Good luck!

[Bluey]

I think that both Circle Y saddles in the links have D rings to attach gear to, looking at the pictures, as all trail saddles do.
If a saddle doesn't and you like the way it rides, that should not be a deal breaker, as those are very easy to add.

Be sure, if you can, to sit in different saddles, as how you may like to ride in them, since there are so many variations, is very personal.

I don't like slick forks or A frame swells and neither do most that ride in them, as they add bucking rolls, or old cowboys, long ago, when that is all they had, used to tie a blanket roll there so as to make them more comfortable.

Without that, they tend to feel like riding a log.

Swells were invented for a reason, to give the twist and rise of the seat a place to go and make the seat more comfortable over such a large, wide tree as western saddles have.

As I say, so much is what you get used to and personal preference, so try to find some saddles to try, before deciding on one.

If your horse is not used to a flank cinch and you are going to use one, be sure to introduce it carefully, don't want to cause a big wreck if the horse is reactive.
I have seen them go to bucking hard enough to go over fences like they were not even there.

Try the local saddle shop and see what they have and if they let you try some out first, before buying.

The really good companies will guarantee saddles for fit, so you are not stuck with one you order if it doesn't, but those are rather pricey.

[ExJumper]

I will mention here that if 6'5 hubby is going to be putting the saddle on the horse than any old good used, broke in HEAVY western saddle will do you fine.

But if YOU are, say, 5', 120#, and the horse is 16 hands, you will find hucking that saddle up on and over your horse to be quite a workout. Many leather western saddles weigh well in excess of 40 pounds, especially the older ones.

The Abetta saddles are light, comfortable, durable and affordable. They have the same trees as heavier and pricier saddles. I'm just sayin.

Horse is almost 17hh, but I'm no lightweight :) 5'6" and not a waif. Besides, I think his winter blanket weight about 50 pounds and I huck that sukcer up there! I'll make sure to sit in at least a few saddles before I take the plunge.

Just noticed both the Circle Ys linked to (and perhaps the others, didn't look at them again) do not have saddle strings/ties on the backs. If you're trail riding, you're probably going to want to tie something on, even if just occassionally, like a jacket or a saddle bag. The third saddle (circle Y park & trail) did have the little D rings for adding tie straps though. With trail saddles, comfort and convienance for you and the horse are the first considerations.

Oh, I didn't even think about that! It would be nice to be able to attach a windbreaker and a water bottle or something.

I think that both Circle Y saddles in the links have D rings to attach gear to, looking at the pictures, as all trail saddles do.
If a saddle doesn't and you like the way it rides, that should not be a deal breaker, as those are very easy to add.

Be sure, if you can, to sit in different saddles, as how you may like to ride in them, since there are so many variations, is very personal.

...

As I say, so much is what you get used to and personal preference, so try to find some saddles to try, before deciding on one.

If your horse is not used to a flank cinch and you are going to use one, be sure to introduce it carefully, don't want to cause a big wreck if the horse is reactive.
I have seen them go to bucking hard enough to go over fences like they were not even there.

Try the local saddle shop and see what they have and if they let you try some out first, before buying.

The really good companies will guarantee saddles for fit, so you are not stuck with one you order if it doesn't, but those are rather pricey.

I'll make sure to ride in a few, and that's a good comment about the second cinch. He's pretty mellow, but ti's also a long way to fall if he doesn't like it the first time!