How to purchase a saddle

Making the choice to purchase a saddle can be a difficult one.  What brand should you buy? New or Used?  Leather or Synthetic? The list goes on...  Below are my thoughts based on years of hands on experience and many saddle purchases.

1.  A saddle is only as good as it's leather.  If you do choose to purchase a used saddle make sure it has been well cared for.  Proper cleaning and regular oiling will keep the leather soft and supple.  After leather has had a chance to dry out or mold it rarely can be 100% reversible.

2. Purchase a saddle to fit both you and your horse.  If you don't do this you will run into many troubles in the future.  For example, do not put a regular quarter horse tree western saddle on an arabian.  These are generally for wider breeds - such as the Quarter horse or some Paint horses.  English saddles are also sold in narrow, normal, and wide tree.  Make sure to look at your horses back before purchasing.  Also, make sure to purchase a saddle that isn't overly large or small for you.  Hiring a saddle fitter can be a good investment if you plan on keeping both your horse and saddle long term.  Going a little larger on the seat size can never hurt, but, you do not want to purchase one that is too small and doesn't give you the area you need to properly sit.

3. Leather or Synthetic?  I prefer leather because it is a high quality item that will last for many years.  A good leather saddle can last a lifetime if properly taken care of.  Leather cleaners and conditioners are very popular in todays market and can be purchased readily in local tack stores or most online outlets.  Though frequent cleaning is recommended for leather saddles you have a better product, a leather saddle is easier to clean than a synthetic, and you have a long lasting saddle.  I beleive that a synthetic saddle will not outlive a leather one.  Leather can be repaired too! 

4.  New or Used?  As I previously mentioned a saddle can last a lifetime.  Why would this be important you ask?  Because not everyone wants or needs to keep a saddle their entire life.  At some point everyone is ready to upgrade, change disciplines, or just wants something new or different.  The used saddle they are selling might just be your best new saddle.  Providing it was well cared for and will fit you and your horse.  Many saddles can be purchased for as much as 50% off the ticket price when they have only been used a handful of times during one show season.  Think of a child who rides horses.  Every couple of years they are going to need a new saddle in a larger size.  Why not purchase a slightly used (but well cared for) saddle.  If you take care of it yourself it will last you a lifetime. 

5.  Buyer Beware...Many people sell saddles that look good in pictures.  This is not always the case when you are excited on the day you receive your saddle in the mail.  You open the package to find a low quality leather product that doesn't look or feel like you expected.  This is why you should ALWAYS buy name brand.  You get what you pay for.  Just because that western saddle said it was 'just like a Circle Y Saddle' or that English saddle said 'almost a Crosby' doesn't mean the quality is the same.  You want to purchase saddles from companies that have been around for a long time and offer quality products at decent prices.  Circle Y Saddles, Tex Tan,  and Billy Cook saddles are often sought after names in the western industry. Whereas Crosby, Barnsby, Collegiate are often very popular english saddles.  You can expect to pay between $800 and $2,000 for a quality saddle.  These prices can drop somewhat by purchasing previously owned saddles.  Many of these high quality saddles come with authentication papers and or/ authentication numbers directly on the saddle.

I hope that this information has been helpful and wish you the best of luck in purchasing your next saddle.