Buying a saddle off the internet... would you do it?

floradora09

floradora09

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Basically I'm persuing a saddle for my new 15.2h TB type gelding, who currently fits a medium on an adjustable saddle but we're expecting him to widen up and probably move up to a medium/wide. If we bought one that fitted now we may well need to replace it, but if we bought a medium/wide saddle now, and had it re-flocked to fit, would that work? I know nothing at all when it comes to saddles!

So, would you go for one off ebay/horsequest or similar? Has anyone had much success?! Thanks!
 
i just just purchased one off ebay (paid for it about 3 hours ago!). I paid 66 pounds plus courier for delivery. It came with stirrups which when purchased seperately cost £45. Only reason i paid £66 was the irons. I'm fully prepared to scrape the saddle if it turns out to be naff. I think so long as you are prepared to write off a saddle completely and to have your saddler check it out before use, i dont see why you shouldnt buy online. Just know your spending limits!!
 
I have just bought one online but I have owned the same saddle in a different colour a few years back and it got stolen. I replaced it last year with a dressage saddle (through a big company that brought loads to try) however on enquiring on any second hand GP's they were still very much out of my budget. I am not sure I got a bargain but its the saddle I want and know. I was quite shocked when the saddler came out last year that saddles that I liked and had ridden in did not actually fit my horse and were all a 'medium' fit. I have a local saddler that does not hold a very good choice of second hand saddles but will charge to check my new second hand one out for me. Is that perhaps an option for you? Only problem is if its wrong - getting rid of it again.
 
I would only buy if it was a particular saddle that I knew would fit or as suggested, one that I could buy on the premise I could sell it again if it was wrong - maybe if I had a youngster and was struggling to get something to time him/her over. You really cannot be sure what will fit until you actually have it on your horse and I would always always have it properly checked by a good saddler - and understand that I need to pay for their expertise and call out.
 
I just bought a lovely saddle on ebay £320 inc postage - i called the saddle fitter who ranted on for some time about people that buy saddles on the internet blah blah - he came down and it fitted lovely! im so pleased with it and it was an absolute bargain! They advised not to get a cair system - but most saddles can be re-flocked to fit within reason.
 
I'd buy a quality known make - like Albion - from a seller with good feedback.I had an Albion K2 M/W stolen - so bought a nearly new replacement in an identical fit, and it fitted my mare nicely (for half the prioce of new). I think as long as you get something for a good price, and get it fitted to your horse when it comes, thats fine. But I wouldnt risk makes I didnt know or hadnt heard of, as too much hassle if it doesnt work out.
 
Yep I have and would again. I brought a 2k saddle for £500 brand new off the internet, and also brought a second hand one off a well known saddler. I will only buy known brands though, as I know they are serviceable or repairable even if they are in bad knick!!
 
Definitely yes! I have bought many saddles off ebay as our young stout New Forest was destined to change shape. He was being sold with a lovely English leather saddle the owner wanted £600 for. I said no thanks, we will just have the pony. We had a few English walsall spring trees which he grew out of very swiftly so we sold them on and went onto Wintec 500, 2000 and now he is blissfully comfortable ( along with his jockey) in a wintec wide. What a fabulous saddle that is.
I did buy a second hand ovation saddle from my local saddler for my other pony and that is truly the most comfy saddle I have ever ridden in and it fits perfectly too.
I see lots of riders who pad their saddles out with massive pads and numnahs and spend £40 on stuffing this and that bit which soon adds up. I think what a waste of money you could get a better saddle on ebay for half the cost - it is worth the risk.
My advice, be ready to accept your choice may not fit - d rings vary in height so those measurements aren't always helpful but at least you can sell it on. If it's a wintec change the gullet. No-one has mentioned girth lengths. Some saddles have short girth straps so be warned you may need a small splash out on a new girth too :) Watch out for cheap new English leather, usually very hard and crispy and not to be recommended.
 
After advice from my saddle fitter on what to look for I found one on ebay for £200. It was as described and fitted well. Saddle fitter came back and said it was worth £400 - £500 so I was well pleased. Had it not have been as described I would have claimed and got refunded and only lost out on return postage. If it was as described but not a good fit I would have just sold it back on ebay.
 
Depends. If it is going to be checked and fitted by a professional before use, possibly.A bargain certainly does not guarantee a fit.
 
Ok thanks everyone! Sounds like it is worth the risk, and I would get it checked by a saddler before using it all the time. Going to ring the saddler tomorrow following up a fitting session he came out for, and see if he has any second hand ones in stock that might fit. If not, I'll ask what I should look out for and get myself a Ebay account! :D
 
Yep today as a matter of fact :) Beautiful saddle in fab condition with stirrups,leathers,cover,saddlecloth and girth - rang my saddler slightly sneakily and asked what she thought of the brand and what I would be paying for a second hand one . Answer was they are a good but not particulary well known brand and anywhere between 450- 550 pounds . Good job I only paid £150 for it then :) :) :)
 
Potentially. I'm getting a new saddle next month, full fitted brand new etc.

If the same saddle happened to come up cheap on ebay I'd buy another or for instance if a dressage came up (I'm getting GP) I'd buy it and have the saddler out to fit it.

At the moment I have no idea what his size is (and I'm yet to find a brand other than thorrowgood that fits him nicely) then I wouldn't bother.

I wouldn't buy an unbranded saddle off ebay (and certain brands you would't get me to part cash for, no matter how cheap!)
 
I have bought a few off the internet and there are some great bargains to be had how ever get as many measurements as possible as width fittings do vary alot between brands.
However i have just put my brand new Albion on preloved as i have had it for 3 yrs and only used it a handful of times due to the loss of my eventer. Someone is gonna get a brand new saddle for less than half price! if only it was an inch smaller and brown !!!!
Personally i would buy again from the internet. Just be careful and buy english.
Teresa
 
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