Saddle pricing query

[SEL]

I got given an Ideal saddle to try on the microcob - but its a 17" and there's no way she can go that long.

The owner is of an age where 'I don't do all that facebooky stuff' and has asked if I could sell it for her. Its come off her now deceased & much loved highland, very wide (if it was 16" it would be perfect) but looks to have been kept on one of those thin saddle racks and the panels underneath are what I can only describe as 'squishy'. I've no idea what to price it at because really it needs to go to someone who is prepared to put it in front of a saddler for reflocking I suspect - although I'm not sure the lady who gave it to me realises that.

I want to get her a fair price, but also don't want to sell it to someone who thinks it is a bargain and chucks it straight on their horse without getting it checked. Any idea on prices, decent FB sites?? Thank you

 

[SEL]

This is what the underneath looks like. I think those marks will clean off but they are obviously from spending a couple of years resting on something on top of the saddle rack. Its very sunken in where the marks are and I don't think that's how ideal saddles usually work!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

That happened to one of my saddles so I took it off the rack and stored it on its front like your picture and kept running my hands along it to even it out, it did after a few weeks look completely normal so I don't think it's a major issue but I suppose it depends on how long it's sat like that.

What sort of saddle is it what width and some proper pictures of it will help with trying to value it, I always compare with what is on ebay and preloved and try and price it very similar, I don't use Facebook to sell saddles so hopefully someone else will be along who will help you with that.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think the H & C is Highland and cob saddle and Apex has a narrower head than the other models, I think the width might be stamped on the stirrup bar.

You could contact ideal with the serial number they will tell you the width but they can be altered wider so it may have been altered at some point.

 

[MereChristmas]

I *think* my saddler said she hated those saddle racks as they compress the flocking. If that has happened I suppose the saddle would need reflocking.
@sbloom would know best I expect.

 

[Polos Mum]

I think any second hand saddle is likely to need reflocking and fitting - I'd assumed most people budgeted for that when buying as it's only £60-80

There is an Ideal second hand saddles FB page which would be worth a search on for comparatives. Or look a sold prices on ebay

 

[chaps89]

I sold a saddler earlier this year easily through preloved. I only had time wasters on FB.

 

[SEL]

I think the H & C is Highland and cob saddle and Apex has a narrower head than the other models, I think the width might be stamped on the stirrup bar.

You could contact ideal with the serial number they will tell you the width but they can be altered wider so it may have been altered at some point.

Genius idea - I've dropped them an email to see if they can help. Otherwise it's in good used condition just in need of a clean. I'll see if I can smooth out the squished bits & get some decent photos.

Hadn't thought about Preloved Chaps so I'll have a look there. Got 2 others of my own I need to sell now I don't have secure storage.

 

[chaps89]

I realised I didn’t really answer your query about pricing - I wasn’t sure either so I just searched eBay, preloved and FB marketplace for my saddle (brand, size then colour) and saw what prices came up and how comparable they were in condition to my saddle and priced accordingly. There were a couple of silly COVID prices but the rest were all roughly the same. I sold it for a price I was happy with anyway!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Genius idea - I've dropped them an email to see if they can help. Otherwise it's in good used condition just in need of a clean. I'll see if I can smooth out the squished bits & get some decent photos.

Hadn't thought about Preloved Chaps so I'll have a look there. Got 2 others of my own I need to sell now I don't have secure storage.

If it is a wide or wider you can put it on the used native pony saddles Facebook page Sbloom on here runs it.

I just kept trying to flatten out the bulges on the bottom of my saddle, I have had it checked and flocked since but I wouldn't bother having it flocked before selling because it's best to flock it according to the horse it's going to be used on.

 

[Cowpony]

Just be wary about the width you get from the maker - they can be widened by a saddle fitter, so it may be wider than it was originally.

 

[sbloom]

If it is a wide or wider you can put it on the used native pony saddles Facebook page Sbloom on here runs it.

I just kept trying to flatten out the bulges on the bottom of my saddle, I have had it checked and flocked since but I wouldn't bother having it flocked before selling because it's best to flock it according to the horse it's going to be used on.

My colleagues now run it but yes, if itsmwider and flatter (though since I've gone the definition seems to have stretched

Around £100‐150, with likely additional (1 or 2) visit fees for a full reflock which is what this should really have. U shaped saddle racks should have something thick and squishy on them, I recommend old pillows loosely duck taped on, or a folded old fashioned travel blanket. Even an old sheepskin may not be enough.

Saddle pricing is start at 50% of new price and go slightly up for fairly new and great condition, and down for older, poorer condition, needs attention.

 

[Leandy]

Anyone sensible will get it reflocked anyway to fit their horse so there is no point in you paying for reflocking now before sale. Just take clear pictures of its current state and clearly disclose. It's up to the buyer what they do from then. You can't prevent someone buying the saddle and putting it on a horse which it does not fit. You can't prevent that whatever the condition of the saddles so I would not worry about it. It isn't your problem to fix.

 

[SEL]

My colleagues now run it but yes, if itsmwider and flatter (though since I've gone the definition seems to have stretched

Around £100‐150, with likely additional (1 or 2) visit fees for a full reflock which is what this should really have. U shaped saddle racks should have something thick and squishy on them, I recommend old pillows loosely duck taped on, or a folded old fashioned travel blanket. Even an old sheepskin may not be enough.

Saddle pricing is start at 50% of new price and go slightly up for fairly new and great condition, and down for older, poorer condition, needs attention.

Thanks - I'm on that FB group keeping an eye out for something 16" and super wide for the microcob so I'll pop it on with full disclosure. I want to get its owner a fair price, but I don't think she realises that it hasn't faired well on that saddle rack. It came off her tank of a highland when she lost him so its sat for about 2 years sadly.

I'm also going to sell my whopper of an old Balance saddle on there. I love it, but not buying any more draft horses so time to sell it on. That definitely fits your definition of wide

 

[SEL]

Just be wary about the width you get from the maker - they can be widened by a saddle fitter, so it may be wider than it was originally.

I'll measure and pop photos on the selling pages. FB and probably preloved I think

 

[sbloom]

Thanks - I'm on that FB group keeping an eye out for something 16" and super wide for the microcob so I'll pop it on with full disclosure. I want to get its owner a fair price, but I don't think she realises that it hasn't faired well on that saddle rack. It came off her tank of a highland when she lost him so its sat for about 2 years sadly.

I'm also going to sell my whopper of an old Balance saddle on there. I love it, but not buying any more draft horses so time to sell it on. That definitely fits your definition of wide

When I ran it I didn't allow Balance as they're not actually specialist cob/native saddles, they're wide and designed for a shim system. As I say things have changed a bit so you might be fine but to me they're not in the category.

And yes, never take as read the width stamped on a saddle or held at HQ unless there is a decent record of adjustments/ownership. Most wooden treed saddles can be adjusted within reason and it's why the ONLY way to know if the width is right is to know what to look for in a front-on shot. Measurements and stamps and records are nowt compared to a photo.