Saddle dilemma - to sell or not to sell, that is the question?

TheSylv007

TheSylv007

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www.ridewelland.co.uk
I'm having a bit of a ponder about whether or not to sell my saddle. I have a gp Thorowgood T8 which I have recently replaced with a jumping saddle which I'm really happy with. I hadn't planned to sell the old one as it fits my horse really well, it might be better for dressage and I was under the impression that I'd hardly get anything for it second hand so I may as well hang on to it. However, I much prefer my jumping saddle and now do flatwork in it as well (my mare is quite spooky and spinny so it really has helped my confidence to feel more secure) so I can't see myself choosing to ride in it over the jumping saddle. I've also had a look on eBay and T8s seem to be fetching good money (I've seen two auctions in the last two days which had end prices of around £250 which isn't bad considering the saddles cost £500 brand new).

I guess I'm just wondering if there is any reason to hang on to the old one - my main thing is that it's a really good fit for my horse, and do people ever keep spares? I suppose I worry that something will go wrong with the new one fit-wise though it was fitted by a master saddler and will be going back for a check in a few weeks.

I think I know the answer but just looking for anything else I should consider before letting it go!
 
Get rid if in doubt!!

I've just sold one of my old saddles on Preloved, and it ain't half a liberating feeling!!! Tho' will probably regret it immediately once it's gone :)

Tho' having said that.......... if it IS a good fit for yours, and you're totally sure that it fits, then why get rid of it??? If you like the saddle, and horse likes it, then you know what you should do!!!
 
Similar dilemma here, but purely on sentimental grounds. My dressage saddle slips back on Alf, and although he doesn't seem to be bothered, it bothers me. It's also got a curvy tree, so the pommel is very high on him. I bought the saddle for Aussie, and its the only thing i kept when he died, so it's a real wrench to even think about selling it. I have to think about the horse that's still alive, and who needs a decent saddle though. Certainly not prepared to ride the old git bareback!
 
If it still fits then I'd keep it as a spare especially as it's an adjustable one.

I've just dropped my saddle off at the saddlers so won't be riding until the weekend as I don't have a spare that fits, got plenty that don't fit though which I need to get a wriggle on & sell!:tongue3:
 
I was in a similar quandry, I have a nice Barnsby GP that came with my boy but since he's pretty much retired I thought about selling.. but I could never afford to buy such a saddle again, it's way beyond me and it is beautiful, just a fairly bog standard 17" med-wide saddle.

Anyway I decided I couldn't get rid of it because it was beautiful and comfortable and I loved it, one day I decided to try it on bf's mare and it fits her really nicely (plus she seems to like it!), so it currently gets used on her, and there is a slight chance it may go on my fella again if he comes sound....
 
I'd be tempted to put it on preloved at price you would sell it for, and dont accept any silly offers for it. It may sell, it may not sell!
 
I wouldn't sell any saddles if I had my way, you never get your money back and more often than not a horse comes your way that a saddle you've sold would have fitted a treat and you regret selling. But my husband gets really cross about my saddle collection and the fact that our house looks like a tackroom so most of my surplus saddles have had to go :( down to only five now.

If it's a good fit and you don't need the money, space or to keep an OH happy, hang on to it as it's always handy to have a spare, ie if your main saddle needs repair, adjustment, etc.
 
I would probably sell it, if you are happy with your new saddle and it fits your mare then theres no reason to keep a hold of it.

Ebay is a good place to sell second hand saddles, also as previously mentioned preloved or gumtree (Not that I have had dealings with the previous two).
 
I have five tucked away. When ever I think about selling them I remember the pain of trailing round saddler shops looking, template in hand. I tend to buy the same shaped animal and most have been inter changeable the exception being a high withered TB, who has been dead four years ,we persuaded ourselves we would never get what it was worth so why sell it. Its worse than clothes that no longer fit you, perhaps there should be the equivalent of a clothes swap shop.
 
My husband keeps on about all the saddles in our hallway preventing us from hanging the coats up but I just can't bring myself to part with any.
 
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