Buying the wrong saddle for you and your horse happens all too often in our industry. This can be an expensive and uncomfortable situation for you both. We have developed this guideline to help you skip a painful lesson that can hurt you, your horse, and your pocketbook.
Seven Sins of Saddle Buying
1. Buying the Cheapest
A dear friend of mine once said, “Good stuff ain’t cheap, and cheap stuff ain’t good.” That statement does have some validity to it. Poor quality materials and a lack of craftsmanship will ultimately shorten the life of a saddle, and could cause you to have a negative experience right out of the gate. Buying the best you can afford is important. If what you feel you want/need is out of budget; this is where used, or pre-owned quality saddles become a smart buy.
2. Buying Solely for the Rider
A lot of people forget that this is a partnership. If you find the perfect saddle for you, it has to be right for your horse as well. If it doesn’t fit him, it is of no use to you. Make certain you understand the basics of saddle fit, and determine BEFORE you buy whether this type of saddle will fit what you are wanting to put it on.
3. Buying One-Size-Fits-All
You don’t necessarily need a different saddle for every horse you ride, but there isn’t a “fit-all” saddle out there. The best approach we have found is to buy a saddle that will fit the majority of the physical types of horses you intend to ride. For instance, if you ride quarter horses that have an average back with a nice wither-buy a saddle to fit that type of horse. If you’re going to ride multiple types of horses, you’ll most likely need multiple saddles.
4. Buying Solely Upon Looks
Letting looks be the deciding factor in choosing your next saddle is asking for trouble. Quality materials and overall construction quality are far more important than the way it looks. A poorly made saddle can look awfully pretty to the untrained eye. Buy a saddle that will work for you and your horse, and you will appreciate it more years down the road than the “pretty one”.
5. Buying What You Need
Some folks simply pick the wrong type of saddle for their specific use. Choosing a saddle type that fits the type of riding you are doing is important. That’s why there are so many models to choose from.
6. Buying Brand Specific
This is a thicker subject. Buying a well-established brand is not a bad idea. You still have to consider quality, craftsmanship, its intended use, and whether it will fit you and your horse. Most companies have a “good, better, best” scenario. This is where comparing becomes important. One brand may offer a little better quality for the same money; or features that will fit your usage better. Buy what works for what you are going to do with it, not just by brands.
7. Buying Educated
The burden of fit, and use; is on the consumer. This means that it is your responsibility to make the correct purchase. Educate yourself on fit, quality, and use as much as possible before you intend to buy. Talk to as many knowledgeable horse people about their saddles as possible. See if their preferences can help you make an educated purchase. Understand as much as possible, and this will help prevent an err in your next saddle purchase.
If you do your homework beforehand to truly understand you and your horse’s needs, you’ll avoid these common saddle buying mistakes. We go to great lengths to educate ourselves and our staff to better server you. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
-Ride on-
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