[gypsy84]

I own an ~18" close contact saddle, leather, no knee rolls, older and used but still holding up fine and perfect for just using for schooling (I don't show). I just got it a couple months ago. It shows signs of wear but it is at least 10 years old so that is to be expected. It is stamped with a brand but I just can't recall it at the moment. However, I'm 5'4" 110lbs, and it's a bit big to say the least I found someone with a 15" all purpose, new 2 years ago and has only been lightly used. Has scratches on the seat from a cat, but nothing actually wrong with it. It's just too small for them. So it would be a direct trade, and locally too so no shipping charges.

Here's a photo of mine:


And the potential trade (note cat scratches on seat):


Basically I just want to know if I'd be making the right decision in trading. I don't really know about values of saddles, but I bought mine for $160 with leathers, irons, a pad, and girth from a girl that was switching to western. Fit doesn't really matter at this stage as the horses I'm riding currently are not mine, so if my saddle doesn't fit them then no big deal - I can just use their owners'. My horse is 4 months old so I won't actually be able to check the fit for another couple of years, so by that time I might need a new saddle anyways. I guess I'm just trying to figure out if this other saddle has a greater resell value than my current one, in case I do need to sell it.

ETA: And also, what colour would you say the other saddle is? It looks sort of greyish to me but that could just be the poor choice of background/flash combo....

[AllAroundRdr]

Have you sat in a 15"? I'm 5'4" and 95lbs and a 15" is too small for me. I ride comfortably in a 15.5" but my show and schooling saddles are 16".

My biggest fear is you'd end up trading for something that's too small for you and then be stuck with another saddle to sell/trade.

Have you thought about putting your current saddle on eBay and then after selling it replace it with another saddle?

[Heavenly Jumper]

A 15" saddle is designed for little children I doubt that at your height it would work for you. PLUS it looks like a terrible quality saddle as well...

The other thing is, it needs to fit your horse AND you.

[jumpfordreams]

You would probably need a 16.5 inch seat not a 15 inch which usually children ride in. The saddle you want to trade for looks like a cheapie. I agree with maybe listing your current saddle on eBay or craiglist.

[Diebellbluedey]

that 18 is definately too big for you, but a 15 would be a bit of a drastic jump down.

You'd probably do good in a 16"... I'm 5'4" 140 lbs (very fit lbs), and I comfortably ride in a 16.5" seat.

[luvs2ride79]

The AP is worth maybe $50, $65 with leathers and irons. It's a cheap Asian import saddle. I really don't like them at all. The leather won't hold up well and the trees are fiberglass, which often warp and crack with normal use.

I would look for a 16" to 16.5" CC that is plain flap like yours. You can get them VERY reasonsably right now (it's not in style). Lots of them used on Rick's saddle shop (saddlesource.com I think). Of course, yours will be worth about what you paid for it, so a trade with someone might "cost" you less. But, I would look for a better saddle than the one you have pictured in your first post.

[gypsy84]

Thanks everyone, this is exactly the feedback I was looking for