[Newhorseaddict]

Ok so I know everyone keeps saying that you should buy a good used saddle over a new one but I find this hard because if it doesn't fit you have no way to return it as if I buy it from my local tack shop. We would like to spend around $800 on a new close contact saddle for my daughter and so far we went to the tack shop and her favorite was a M. Toulouse (didn't have a wide though for her QH) and then a Courbette (again no wide). The collegiates just didn't seem to fit her right and they didn't have the right size HDR to try out though she thought the seat was comfy. What do you guys suggest? She is only 13 (currently in a 16 1/2) and still growing so I don't want to get crazy with spending too much. So how do you guys do it. I have been looking at tacktrader but haven't seen anything. She also has this thing about it looking too used. (teenager you know). Thanks for any input.

[kellidahorsegirl]

I don't know how to help quite honestly. All three of the saddles that I've owned and one more on the way have come used from friend's of mine. I've been lucky with it.

I picked up a Beval CC saddle for 800 and am about to get a Stubben dressage for 700 from the same person.

Your daughter (hard for a teen HAHA) should learn to understand that sometimes buying used is BETTER because someone else already went through the trouble of breaking it in.


Also, some tack shops will let you try a saddle before buying.

[harli36]

I bought a used County CC saddle that was like new basically right off the shelf for somewhere around $800 when I was 16. Even though I was a teen I still understood that I could get a much higher quality saddle that was still in my price range. If your daughter doesn't appreciate that then maybe she should work some of the cost of the saddle off herself that way she will appreciate it more.

I personally wouldn't buy from a private seller over the net. There's just too much of a chance that something is wrong with the saddle that can't be seen and private sellers don't have return policies.

I buy my saddles from
Rick's Heritage Saddlery - West Chester, PA - Carrying a full line of new and USed Saddles

The name of the shop is Rick's Heritage Saddlery and they are a VERY honest, trustworthy shop, they do repairs on the saddles if needed before they are allowed to be sold. They also have a trail policy and a HUGE inventory of used saddles. To help eliminate shipping costs you could have your daughter try out new saddles in the shop near you. This way she knows what makes and models fit her.

[Lindsayanne]

MANY tack stores all over the US will honor a trial period. Charlotte's Saddlery shipped me a consignment saddle and let me have 3 weeks to trial it.

I've bought saddles from privates sellers online 5 times. 3 worked, at least temporarily. 1 didn't fit so I put it on eBay with better photos and sold it for $150 more than I paid, and the third had a broken tree and the seller gave me a complete refund and told me to keep it.




Tell her new tack broadcasts novice/ammie/beginner. Seriously, if someone shows up to a lesson or show in all brand new, trendy brand tack and apparel, they usually get pegged as either a novice, or too rich to be any good. The top riders care about function, not form. Ian miller (olympic rider) used to ride with ratty old towels folded under his saddle instead of fancy shims in his pads.

[Newhorseaddict]

OK that is too funny - my daughter is standing here and said and I quote "ok I am getting a used saddle because I am not a novice" so now how to find that used saddle. If anyone knows of one wide tree and 16 1/2 inch close contact let me know. I like the idea of trying her in some new ones at the tack shop and then looking for it used. Thanks so much. Any other helpful lhints would be great because $800 is still quite a bit of money and we want to do the right thing.

[Equitation91]

If you would rather have a new saddle instead, I would look into the Dover Circuit saddles. I have one that has lasted 5 years so far and it's still in great condition. Many people are shocked at the price for the quality that it is. A great saddle if you want new, but don't want to spend lots of $$$.

[jumpthemoon]

Originally Posted by Equitation91

If you would rather have a new saddle instead, I would look into the Dover Circuit saddles. I have one that has lasted 5 years so far and it's still in great condition. Many people are shocked at the price for the quality that it is. A great saddle if you want new, but don't want to spend lots of $$$.

Ditto!

[faroutfax]

Look in the classifieds section here. Serendipity Zip has a saddle that sunds perfect for you

[Liberty's Gal]

I bought my used County Competitor (dresage saddle) off ebay. I got a good deal on it, $600 with free shipping and it is an awesome saddle and fits my horse great.

I did ask for detailed pictures (including one of the brand) and emailed the seller a lot before buying. I know a lof of people are wary of ebay (rightly so) but if you know the size and brand of the saddle you want you can get better deals then at a tack store.

If you pay with paypal and there is a problem you should be able to get your money back. If you have done your homework and gotten a detailed description and pictures of the saddle you were buying and there is a problem then you should have a solid case with paypal and be able to get a refund.

I did take a risk with my saddle not fitting but good saddles (quality brands etc) hold their value and can pretty easily be resold on ebay or at your local tack store.

[riding_reaper]

I would personally suggest getting a really nice used saddle instead. They are already broken in and for $800 you can find a NIIICE one. They just dont make them like they used to.