new horse on the way and searching for a saddle!

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olivia x

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Well, I feel as excited as a kid waiting for Christmas!!! My new horse is to be delivered Friday!!! :):)

In the meantime I am scrambling about trying to get the odds and ends I will need-- most of it is easily done, things like grooming equipment, etc. What has me flummoxed is trying to buy a saddle. It has been easily 15 years since I bought one and I am at a loss to know what to get. There are lots more synthetic saddles on the market now. Are these value for money or is it better to stick to leather? Some cheap leather saddles look too good to be true-- and so probably are? I really would be happiest with a second hand saddle of good quality-- but no idea where is best to look. I am looking for a 17" general purpose saddle, don't mind about colour, etc. Any and all hints on where to look appreciated!
 
You need a good/master saddle fitter to make sure its fitted properly.Im sure you wouldnt buy a pair of shoes without being properly measured and buying over the internet or borrowing could cause major problems for your horse.Taking all above into account I bought leather shires saddle with changeable gullett from ebay which was nearly new and had fitter out to make sure it was adjusted properly to my growing youngster.This could be a option . Good luck with your new horse.
 
Ooohhh!!!! how exciting.

Yes, you are right in saying there is a lot more choice now........ synthetic saddles too have moved on from what they were 15 years ago, thank goodness! Having always had leather saddles, I'm fixing up my two (hopefully!) with synthetics at the moment. Not there yet, need the fitter to come and just make sure all is OK before we take the plunge.

IF you're thinking of going synthetic, look on e-bay coz they're practically giving away stuff on there at the mo: I've bought two Wintecs in the last fortnight; one of which still has the shop labels on, for a mere fraction of the price you'd pay new, it really is a buyers paradise on there at the moment.

I'd personally ask around in your area for a good local fitter; some names will come up time and again, others will come up - to be avoided!

You don't say what type of horse you're having????

Having recently had a negative saddle experience; my advice would be to get someone who is qualified, i.e. Society of Master Saddlers standard. This won't be the cheapest option by any means, but it will give you some measure of reassurance that you will receive good advice, backed up by a professional association. Also, whoever you use, pay by credit card if you can, then at least you've got some measure of consumer protection.
 
I would post on your area boards asking if anyone knows any good saddlers. Or look if there are any posts already on the subject. There have been a couple on the NW board!
 
Thanks very much for the suggestions. I agree, saddle fitting is very important!
Just had a look at ebay-- wow-- lots for sale there! Head spinning with the amount of choice.
Saddle shopping is a delight!
I am getting a TB mare, with a decent amount of bone and what I would call "big bodied"-- not sure if you use the term in the UK-- not a fat horse, is actually a fit horse! but one that is not a skinny wasp waisted build of TB.
 
Um, sorry, yeah, I meant to add that IF you are going to buy synthetic, for e.g. on e-bay, then DO make sure you get a qualified fitter for that brand of saddle out to check when you get it home.

I'm going to be doing this for mine, have saved £££ buying on-line, but am prepared to spend the £££ I've saved on getting an expert out to correctly fit.
 
Are synthetics of the same quality as a leather saddle- generally speaking? I have to admit some bias towards a saddle of good quality leather-- among other things, the smell of the leather! I was in a saddlery this morning that sold nearly all synthetic products-- it lacked that lovely whiff of leather that I used to associate with tack stores-- well and all things horse--y. Not a reason in itself to buy leather over synthetic, I know, but...
 
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