[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Shotgun93

Well, for starters, they have this set listed as an All-purpose jumping saddle, which right there tells you that they don't even understand what kind of saddle they are selling. It's either on or the other, you can't have an all-purpose jumping saddle.

Actually Some AP saddles have a slant towards jumping (slightly more forward flaps), some have a slant more towards dressage (slightly straighter flaps). So you can technically do both, ok, in both of them, but would have a better time jumping than doing dressage in the former, and the other way around in the latter.

[Shotgun93]

Most AP saddles are not made for jumping. I have not seen one yet that allows for proper position while jumping. It drives me nuts when people sell an AP and say that it would work great for jumping, just about every client that comes in and wants to jump has an AP saddle that they were told would be fine for jumping but the flaps are back, the seat is deep and they have to struggle to get into a two point position. Even the ones with forward flaps. They may say that they can jump in them, but I don't believe it.
I let them try it in their saddle for a while, then I have them try my jumping saddle and they all love it and say how much easier it is to be correct. Just my opinion based on what I have seen.

[JBandRio]

Oh, no doubt, no AP saddle will put you in the really proper positions for jumping OR dressage. They are really intended for people who just like to ride, with the occasional dressage or jumping thrown in. But yes, if you jump on a regular basis, or jump anything over 2', you really need to be in a saddle that is a close contact saddle intended for jumping. Likewise with dressage - you cannot work on proper dressage form or aides for any length of time sitting in an AP saddle (or cc saddle for that matter).

[Sandra-A1]

Unless you can actually go see a used saddle and check it out in person I would think twice about buying it online. There are too many scammers and dishonest people are now using the online auctions as well as classified sites to take advantage of people.
You can check your local saddle shops for used tack, as well as their bulletin boards, and your new paper's classifieds section. The only way I would buy "used" is if I could go check out the saddle myself, in person. Yes used saddles are broken in...but by the current owner and that does not mean that you will sit and feel right in it since it has been broken in by someone else and the saddle now suits their body and riding position. I have sat in used saddles that were not comfortable, or fit me like I wanted even though the owner was built like me and did ride in a correct position. So being able to check a used saddle out in person ican be very important.
If you are buying from a known, long time, well established, company/tack shop the odds are better that you will be getting a product that is as advertised and if you check out their return policy you do cut down on the risks.
When you buy online from an auction site like Ebay, or a classifieds site, you can't check out the saddle and some times the seller will only sell it "as is" and you cannot get your money back, if the saddle is not what you wanted or has problems.
Yes, some tack shops might advertise a item using slightly incorrect terms (for example: curb bits with jointed mouthpieces as snaffles ) but you have to realize that in diffferent parts of the country things might not be called the same as elsewhere. Just because the saddle is listed as an All Purpose Jumping Saddle is not that big of a deal....especially when it is a shop that sells more western items than english.

Buying any saddle...new or used is a BIG risk...so you do the best you can do...and always check the return policy!

[Shotgun93]

I get frustrated with the tack store owners that tell buyers that they CAN jump in AP saddles, or do fourth level dressage. I guess I was venting more than anything.
I think that you should have a license to sell tack, we would have a lot less people running around with Tom Thumb Snaffles, tie downs, side reins and polo saddles being used for jumping. (Yes, I actually had a client that bought a polo saddle b/c the guy told her that it was a jumping saddle)

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Shotgun93

I get frustrated with the tack store owners that tell buyers that they CAN jump in AP saddles, or do fourth level dressage. I guess I was venting more than anything.
I think that you should have a license to sell tack, we would have a lot less people running around with Tom Thumb Snaffles, tie downs, side reins and polo saddles being used for jumping. (Yes, I actually had a client that bought a polo saddle b/c the guy told her that it was a jumping saddle)

Amen to that!

[Shannon]

Country Supply sells predominatly western tack, so they aren't really selling the saddle to English riding folk. I'm sure they figure that since these saddles are being sold to western riders, they're not going to just go try to jump a 4'3 oxer or anything. I think they are being purchased mostly by people who ride western but want to learn English, or as a gift. I'm pretty sure this is the only English saddle Country Supply sells, correct me if I'm wrong. This exact saddle is sold by many retailers as a beginner's or weekend rider's saddle.

This actually was my first saddle years ago, a gift from a horsey aunt. It worked OK for me when I was just taking lessons, but I sold it when I started leasing horses and bought a used Crosby. The stitches do unravel, the leather is really vinyl-like and stiff, and I just didn't like the suede knee flaps. They get dirty and you can't really clean it. If you're just going to be using it lightly and not do anything more than jump x-rails, it's an inexpensive saddle that will probably work for you. But if you plan on really getting into English, spend a little bit more and buy a Kincade from SLT or something.

This saddle has been sold for a long time and by many retailers, so it can't be that bad.

[Mndylvsoleil]

That saddle IMO is a really bad saddle, my friend<jeblina> has that exact saddle and it puts her in a really bad position and is uncomfortable.Also those sets tend to be made form a false tree, the tree of the saddle<underneath the saddle, holds the whole thing together and sits on your horses withers> is most of the time made out of cardboard. If you would like this saddle, contact Jeblina, Im pretty sure she wats to sell hers and move on to a dressage saddle.... Anyways your best bet for shopping online is to buy Used saddles from quality companies<crosby, wintec, stubben, collegiate, circuit, and theres many more> they do have them cheap. When your looking at saddles online, your going to find some adds with just a description and No picture, when you see this description its going to more likely say Havana Brown with suede knee rolls, your more than likely to come up with the saddle your looking at right now on Country Supply<which is more of an expert at western gear>. Alot of people are buying those saddles and now TRYING to sell them and they know if they add a picture no one will buy it!
Sorry this is sooo long, Hope I helped if you have any questions feel free to ask!

[JBandRio]

Keep in mind that ANY saddle, even a $4,000 saddle, can put you in the wrong position, or at least make it hard to sit in the right position. So that should be a criteria for choosing a saddle regardless of cost.

[Shotgun93]

Originally Posted by shannond

This saddle has been sold for a long time and by many retailers, so it can't be that bad.

The reason why it has been sold for many years isn't because it's a nice saddle, it's because people keep buying them. Do you know what their cost is for that saddle? $45. Yep, $45. When my friend was looking for suppliers for her tack, the people that represent this saddle asked her if she was interested. I saw the catalog, so I know their prices. They tried to sell her on the fact that Jeffers and Country Supply sell these saddles, so they must be good.
You won't find a decent brand of tree for less than $50, that should tell you about the quality of the saddle around it.

LIke JB said, any saddle can put you in the wrong position. But, at least that saddle won't fal apart in the rain.