Cheap saddles warning

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charlie55

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I had my saddler out the other day and he was talking about a yard he got called out to, it was a dealers place and every horse their had either a rhinegold or Gallop saddle.

He was shocked to see what these saddles had done to the horses withers. One was only 3 months old and bought brand new off ebay! Because they are cheap, he said they are not that well made, and he said after a 3 hour ride, the tree can get up to all sorts, bend, crack and even snap!! So imagine what the tree could look like after a years use!!
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Just wanted to put up a little warning really, i didnt realise how much these saddles can damage horses, i for one was looking at a gallop dressage saddle last year as someone local was selling one cheap! Thank god i didnt buy it.

I know some people on here will one of these saddles and i dont want to get strung up, i just wanted to warn people, and if you do have one of these, please check the tree!

My saddler can pick up one of the above saddles for £29!!!!! x
 
Unfortunately many people put cost as the priority when buying a saddle, above horse welfare. I appreciate that not everyone can afford to spend £1000 on a saddle but if you can only afford £29 then you shouldnt have a horse!

Its also false economy. £29 on a saddle, £1000 on vets bills and potentially a trip to A & E.

A good warning.
 
I have often said that these makes of saddles are very poor quality, but usually get told they are great. They are cheap for a reason! Thanks for the warning.
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They are dreadful saddles - why they are allowed to be sold at all is beyond me , especially when you can buy a good quality synthetic for around £200, not alot of money in respect of horse's comfort and rider safety IMHO.
 

I was given a Gallop which I was going to use as a spare saddle. It did fit nicely to begin with but after riding with it a few times it did seem to widen a lot and was pressing down on the horse's withers.

Luckily I consigned it to the loft before any damage was done and it's now gathering dust. I won't be selling it on!
 
Couldn't agree more, I would always buy a quality synthetic or a good 2nd hand saddle than one of those. I have heard shocking stories about some of these ultra cheap saddles.
 
The trees are rubbish ... but wait until you have seen the inside of one. I have seen one flocked with old carpet fibres - was not nice.
 
thanks for the warning. haven't heard of either make but will bear it in mind.
must admit, having seen many reputable makes of saddle stripped down and been horrified by the way they are finished inside, i am very wary of whatever i put on my horses.
 
My friend asked me to go to a market with her to look at a saddle she'd found for only £50 to see if it was likely to fit. I asked if it was second hand and she was like 'No brand new what a bargain!'

I told her it would be utter mince and to save some pennies for a second hand brand name synthetic saddle (what £150 for a half decent one?) but she insisted so I went. Picked it up and the first thing I noticed was the point of the tree sticking out through the material wood not welded or the corner soften.

I was actually laughing at how bad it was, then I asked the guy if these were for show only as it would cripple any horse it was used on, safe to say he wasn't best pleased at all, called me a snob etc and asked me to leave his stall.

I agree that not everyone can afford a super expensive saddle fitted by a pro but if you want a horse and a saddle (I have gone many years without a saddle as none fitted my chubby highland and I couldn't afford a fancy native pony type one) then you have to be willing to fork out a couple of hundred and make sure someone with a bit of know how checks it.
 
It is very scary to think alot of people are using these and have no idea of the damage they are doing.
Wonder if ebay would stop people seling them if they knew how 'bad' they were? They advertise them on there like they are fab and a true bargain at £119!!

To someone thats novice, it would seem a great buy
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Gallop is a shoking make, I brought a harness to break my boy in and the crouper snapped on its first use when he threw a bit of a hissy fit! Was not impressed and to top it off because I brought it from a trader on ebay and used it for the first time 6 months after I brought it, instead of straight away I couldnt get a refund from the seller or gallop when I went straight to them!
After that experience decided not to scrimp even for breaking in so brought a leather harness and a Thorowgood T4. Both are fantatic and WELL worth spending the extra money for.
Cheap brands just arent worth it!
 
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