[Finallyownhorse]

I have been toying with the idea of trying an english saddle. But I have NO idea what to look for in one. I don't want to spend much, because I have no idea if I am going to like it.

I don't know anyone with an english saddle either to try it. My horses take Full Quarter horse bars and Regular Quarter Horse bars in western saddles.

I have short legs and a larger bum. So I am hoping an english saddle will fit me better than the western. The western saddles, if the seat is good, the legs are too long even on the shortest setting.

The one saddle that fits my legs, is snug, but not uncomfortable for the bum.

Any other saddle solutions I would be interested in hearing too. It would be easiest if my bum would shrink, and I am working on that. But I would like a saddle while I wait for the shrinkage.

What do I look at in an inexpensive english saddle?

[Reitpferde]

You have three options - dressage, close contact, and all purpose. The dressage is for, well..., dressage, close contact for jumping, and all purpose for,well..., everything. Sorry, if you already knew this. I have a QH. Most of them fit a medium tree. Nevertheless, you need to go try them out for yourself and for your horse. You can check out used saddles at your local tack shop. At the shop, you may determine whether or not it fits you. Take it home and then see, if it fits your horse. Most tack shops will let you ride in a used saddle to try for comfort. Hopefully, you have a knowledgable person around, who can check the fit of the saddle for your horse. Many tack shops actually let you BRING your horse to them and can help you with fit. Good luck.

[luvs2ride79]

You would need a Wide or X-Wide tree if your horse is like mine and takes a FQHB or QH bar (semi-QH bars being too narrow). More narrow or Appendix type QHs fit into Medium or Regular trees. Your seat size should be 2" larger than a western saddle that fits you in the rear (most of us big gals take 18-19" English saddles).

I would look for an All Purpose english saddle that is GOOD quality, used. Look for European or higher end Argentine brands like Crosby, Stubben, Corbette, Passier, NICE, Duett (seat sizes run 1-1.5" small), Thornhill, HDR, Collegiate, etc. Also look at quality used synthetics like Wintec and Thorowgood (HDR synthetics are not good).

It's best to be quality used because if you decide it's not for you, you can sell it and get your money back. It's VERY hard to sell those cheap Asian saddle used for more than $50... Plus, if you like English, then you're more likely to have the saddle be comfortable for you and your horse, and it will last longer. I have an early 1980s made Stubben AP that is AWESOME!

Let us know what seat size you take in western and we'll do some digging around for a good English saddle for you.

[Finallyownhorse]

I am comfortable in a 16 inch western seat, but my legs are too short for that seat size. So I would like an 18? English. Correct?

[luvs2ride79]

Yes, you'd take an 18" or an 18.5" English. The deeper the seat, the smaller it will feel. And an extra .5" really doesn't matter. That said, .5" too small really can matter, lol.

Here are some that would likely work for you and your horse, and are good quality.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=160234918875
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Wintec-2000-...mZ290224879693
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Wintec-2000-...mZ280220464335
http://cgi.ebay.com/Collegiate-Senio...mZ170213425417
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bates-Caprilli-A...mZ320245118710
http://cgi.ebay.com/Beautiful-Passie...mZ200219485625

http://tacktrader.com/show_item.php?tack_id=217239
http://tacktrader.com/show_item.php?tack_id=214349
http://tacktrader.com/show_item.php?tack_id=222681 - Ask what the CM tree size is (stamped on the flap covering the billets, should be something like 31 or 30.5, if it's 30.5-32, then it should fit your horse)
http://tacktrader.com/show_item.php?tack_id=218098 - Same question as above
http://tacktrader.com/show_item.php?tack_id=213954 - Same questions as above.
http://www.usedsaddles.com/product.htm?id=r4fqim2t
http://www.usedsaddles.com/product.htm?id=brt08i37
http://www.stcroixsaddlery.com/Used_...d_con_1853.htm
http://www.stcroixsaddlery.com/Used_...a_con_7104.htm
http://www.stcroixsaddlery.com/Used_...scd_con_15.htm
http://www.legacytack.com/pc/STUBBEN...%2C+18%22.html
http://www.saddlesource.com/proddetail.asp?prod=B94341 - Has a 31.5 cm tree, which is good for your horse.
http://www.saddlesource.com/proddetail.asp?prod=AP454
http://www.mmtackshop.com/wi500apsa.html

http://www.chubbypony.com/saddles-consignments.shtml
Stubben Siegfried Extra 18" 31.5cm (MW)