How to Successfully Buy
Used Saddle Online
the Perfect
Buying a fine used saddle online can be an economical and convenient alternative to your local saddle rep or tack store, particularly for
those on a budget or who live outside of a major metropolitan area. It can also be an incredibly overwhelming and daunting experience,
with literally thousands of saddles available with a quick Google search. But success can be yours if you follow these three easy steps!
, know your size,
Two
, know your horse, and
, know your budget.
(But, you say, shouldn’t the saddle fit the horse?
Absolutely it should, but it does no good if you,
the rider, are constantly fighting the saddle
as you ride because the saddle doesn’t fit you!
So let’s start with rider fit!)
requires three things: understanding
how a saddle should fit the rider, being
realistic about your shape (after all, we
are not all the same size we were as a
junior), and then matching that information
to an online saddle. I’m going
to give you a strategy to find and buy
the right size.
A properly fitted saddle should give the
rider 3 to 4 fingers width between the
back of the rider’s seat and the cantle.
The bottom of the flap should end at
the widest part of the calf, or about a
third of the way down the rider’s leg.
The knee should be entirely on the
knee roll and there should be some
knee roll showing in front of the knee.
Try borrowing some saddles and find
one that fits – the brand doesn’t matter.
(If you are lucky enough to find one
you love that fits, take a picture of the
saddle stamp). Now you are going to
measure! Find the seat size by measuring
from the button on the skirt to
the center of the cantle. Find the flap
length by measuring from the stirrup
bar where the stirrup leather lays to the
bottom of the flap. Find the flap width
by measuring left to right across the
widest part of the flap. Now you have
your seat and flap size and forwardness
(or shape) and can start playing the
matching game! Good used saddle
sellers will list the seat size, flap length
and flap width for each saddle.
TRAINING & Showing
56 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
may be the trickiest part. Saddle pricing
is driven by brand, age, condition,
features, and color. All the French
brands are roughly similar in price new,
and options such as full calf or buffalo
add on to the price. Grain leather is
more durable, so an older grain saddle
may be your most economical option.
A well maintained grain saddle will be
comfortable, durable and have many
years left at a lesser price. Saddles in
the less popular caramel color can
be had at a real bargain! Conversely,
much like a new car, once a new
saddle has been ‘driven off the lot’
you can expect to pay about 25% to
30% less. You may be able to make an
offer, but don’t expect to get a huge
discount.
Armed with this information you are
ready to set forth into the world of previously
enjoyed French saddles. Expect
to be able to take a saddle on trial, but
plan ahead so you will actually be able
to ride in the saddle and take a lesson
with your trainer during the trial period.
And finally communicate with the
saddle seller - don’t be afraid to email
or call the online stores with questions.
EE
means you can can accurately
describe his back shape and then be
able to match that to a saddle that
has appropriate paneling. Unless you
have an exceptionally narrow or wide
horse don’t get hung up on tree width
- 95% of French saddles are built on a
medium wide tree. What you need to
do is think Jello. Your horse’s back is the
Jello mold and the saddle paneling is
the Jello. You want your Jello to evenly
contact all parts of the mold and have
a nice a level top. Look at the area
behind the shoulder – is it smoothly
concave, or a big depression, or no dip
at all? You want the paneling under
your tree points and along his back to
mirror your horse’s shape. Is your horse
overall level from wither to croup? Or is
his back flat and lower than his wither?
If so you may need thicker paneling in
the rear of your saddle. Take a picture
of his back from the side, a three quarter
view, and a rear view. Once you’ve
identified saddles that fit you, don’t be
afraid to send photos and ask for help
in selecting the appropriate paneling.
Sometimes you can just eyeball it, but
understanding the stamp is a huge
help, and your saddle seller should be
able to help you interpret the stamp.
One
Three
Happy saddle shopping!
Knowing your saddle size Knowing your horse
Knowing your budget
Your horse’s back is the
Jello mold and the saddle
paneling is the Jello.
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com