Buying a Western Saddle For the Keen Horse Rider or Racer - Racing, Pleasure and Trail Saddles. Also, Tips on Buying Used Saddles
Perhaps the ultimate gift for a keen horse rider, apart maybe from the horse itself, is a brand new saddle. That new saddle may be one that is better than the one the recipient already owns, or their first own saddle. Either way it is an expensive and generous gift to present to a novice or experienced horseman or horsewoman, child or adult.
For a person who knows nothing about horses, then choosing any horse related gift will not be easy. It is one of those occasions when a bit of expert advice will come in very useful indeed. The gift buyer may not even know what equestrian equipment there is to choose from. However, just about everyone will know about the need for a saddle for all but the bareback rider.
However, knowing that a horse rider needs a saddle is not knowing how to choose one. Comfort and safety are very important, both for the rider and the horse.
In fact, buying a saddle as a gift could be one of those occasions where the surprise element will need to be abandoned. Discussing the wishes and requirements of person you are buying the saddle for, unless you are experienced yourself, is probably a wise move. That way, the end result will be a perfect gift, one that will please both the buyer and receiver.
If you know nothing about saddlery, horse tack and equipment, in the US there are a couple of very popular groups of saddles: English and Western.
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All the pictures shown on this page are for Western saddles, in different styles. The first is a Bighorn Pleasure saddle, which is available with matching tack such as headstall, reins, and breast collar if required. The second, for a bit more advanced rider, is a trail saddle by the same manufacturer, while the final one is a racer saddle, also by Bighorn.
There are, of course, many other choices, and this is where you can really benefit from some expert advice in choosing the most appropriate horse rider gift, whether it is for Christmas, birthday or any other occasion.
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We all know that horse riding, or even just keeping a horse in a nearby field as a friend of the family, can be an expensive business. For the keen equestrian, those costs are magnified. Most horse riders, of course, would perfer to have the best of everything, for their own pleasure and safety, and the comfort of the horse. Most riders love their animals, as well as riding them across the fields and along bridleways for pleasure, in dressage, jumping or cross country, so when it comes to choosing tack and equipment, the horse itself is often paramount to the owner.That cost can been buying a brand new saddle as a gift, or just for personal use, can be prohibitive for many, so I have included an article below with tips for buying a second hand used Western saddle.
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Western Saddles: 7 Inspection Tips For Buying Used
By Beth Stefani
When you're looking for a quality western saddle, a used saddle can be a smart choice. The best saddles will last a lifetime with proper care. So, like luxury cars, a quality used saddle can be more aptly described as previously-owned. You can buy a lot more saddle for your money in the used category.
But buying used requires close inspection of the saddle prior to buying. A used saddle is bound to have some wear and some scuffs and scrapes. That's to be expected. What you're really looking for are structural problems. The following are the top 7 used saddle inspection tips.
1. Saddle Tree. The saddle tree is the foundation of a saddle, so if it's not solid nothing else matters. To test the tree, set the saddle on its fork, nose down. Press down hard on the cantle and twist, looking for bending which is an indication of a broken tree. A broken tree is a deal breaker. DO NOT purchase a saddle with a broken tree.
2. Leather Quality. High quality leather will be thick, soft, and supple. It has a much longer life, especially if well cared for. Low quality leather will be thin, often cracked, and will not keep its shape. Avoid buying used saddles with low quality leather. There's no bargain there.
3. Leather Condition. Check whether the jockeys and skirts lie flat or curl up. Curling is a sign of either poor quality leather or leather that is used-up. It's pretty much impossible to get curled leather to lie flat again. If the leather looks to be of good quality (thick, doesn't curl), but looks dried out, a good cleaning and conditioning can do wonders and bring back a lot of its luster.
4. Underside Fleece. Expect to find a good amount of wear and dirt here, but excessive wear may require having the fleece replaced which isn't cheap. Also, uneven wear can be a sign of a badly designed saddle that doesn't fit well and should be avoided.
5. Stitching. Check the stitching to make sure it's intact. Minor problems can be repaired, but a saddle with a lot of rotting and missing stitching should be avoided.
6. Surface. While a quality saddle can last a long time, the care it receives will impact its lifespan and its appearance. Saddles are made to be used and passing on a quality used saddle because of some scratches and scuff marks is a mistake. But, you'll have to determine what you can live with.
7. Parts Inventory. Do a check to see which parts might be missing. Most parts (stirrups, stirrup hobbles, billets, cinches) can be easily replaced (and many will prefer their own choices anyway), but missing parts should factor into the price.
Buying a used saddle can be a very smart choice, IF you carefully inspect the saddle prior to purchase.
Beth Stefani is the publisher of www.western-saddle-guide.com, a comprehensive online resource for understanding, choosing, and caring for the western saddle and accessories that are right for you. Visit Western Saddle Guide for more tips and information about western saddles and accessories.
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