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Used Saddles

crehberg
Member

Dec 4, 2005, 10:04 AM

Post #1 of 9 (1014 views)
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Used Saddles	Can't Post

How do you tell a good used saddle from a bad one?

JimHess
Silver Member

Dec 4, 2005, 8:13 PM

Post #2 of 9 (1010 views)
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Re: [crehberg] Used Saddles [In reply to]	Can't Post

When checking out a used saddle, first and foremost, whether english or western, is to make sure the tree, or frame of the saddle is solid and not cracked or broken. You can't see the tree, so you check to make sure there's no flex to it. Assuming the tree's okay, the next thing is, does it fit the horse? Oops, got ahead of myself. Both of these statements were made assuming it was a good quality saddle to begin with. To assess the quality, check the stitching, the feel of the leather, look for loose screws or nails. Staples are a sign of a cheaply made saddle.
Now back to fit. PLEASE check to see how it fits the horse. Except for some hybrid treeless saddles, one size does not fit all. There are wide saddles and narrow ones, some trees have more flare at the ends. Minor adjustments can be made with creative padding, but that can only do so much. If it's an english saddle, check to see how well the panels are stuffed. They're usually stuffed with wool, and can be restuffed or stuffed to better fit the particular horse. Some cheap english saddles will have foam padding.

-Jim

Mark4510
Silver Member

Dec 5, 2005, 1:51 PM

Post #3 of 9 (1000 views)
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Re: [JimHess] Used Saddles [In reply to]	Can't Post

I might add to Jims excellent advice with( I dont really know anything about English saddles:
1. checking the tree for a Western saddle
a. with the back of the saddle against your waist or beltline pull the horn directly back to you and see if there is any crunching or creaking sounds that are more than just leather. You can also pull the horn side to side if you can get someone to hold it down.
b. pull up the saddle leather that covers the stirrup leathers. You should be able to see where the stirrup leathers go into/around the tree. Most trees will be rawhide or fiberglass covered. Look to see if the tree covering is worn or rough looking. Check to see if there are any cracks or the covering is pulling away from the tree.
c. put the horn of the saddle at your beltline and pull/twist the back of the seat to see if you get any crunching sounds. Same as “a”
d. sit in the saddle and put weight both stirrups. Stand up and see if there is any flex or bad sounds. Then do the same thing alternating stirrups.
2. Over all condition of the saddle
a. look under the saddle and see if there are any bare or thin spots in the fleece on the saddle.
b. feel through the fleece to see if there are any sharp things like staple or tack poking through the fleece.
c. check the inside of the stirrup leathers to see if the are hard and brittle from sweat.
d. like Jim says…..make sure that the stitching is all there and that the leather does not have any big cracks in it.
e. leather is like our skin in many ways. If it’s a little dry you can put conditioners on it to soften it up.
3. Fit
a. I am not sure how to communicate fit very well……so let me see if this helps.
b. put the saddle on the horses back without a pad and see if it follows the contours of the horses back. Run your hand between the horses back and the saddle and see if you find gaps other than right over the horses spine. (there should be one there).
c. it should not drop down too far in the front
d. Next cinch it up and see how the saddle fits then. If the back end of the saddle lifts up then if probably going to be tight over the withers.
e. Some people will say that you should ride the horse enough get him sweaty and then pull the saddle off to see if there are any dry spots on its back. Those dry spots generally indicate that the saddle is too tight there. The idea is that its pinching the horse and its likely to pain them. While I think that this holds true generally I am not sure it’s a 100% deal.
f. I would try to see if you can find a very knowledgeable trainer or saddle shop that would be willing to help you.
g. many really old saddles were made for horses of that era. Some of the older cavalry saddles fit horses that have different withers than the horses we have today.

Hope this partial list of things to look at helps….
Mark

JimHess
Silver Member

Dec 5, 2005, 3:33 PM

Post #4 of 9 (996 views)
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Re: [Mark4510] Used Saddles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Mark really covered a lot of points to look for and look out for when checking a western saddle. I'd like to add to what he said about the dry leather, because it brings up an important point. Leather can get to a point where, if it is too dry and cracked, it will lose it's strength, as in the billet straps ( the straps that the girth attaches to), or the stirrup straps that are attached to the fenders. These are two places where an unexpected break can be disasterous. In a case like that, oiling would make them look and feel better, but if they had been too dry and cracked they would still be weak. In fact, if there's any question about the billet straps, they're cheap and easy to replace and then you don't have to worry about it.
Mark was also right about setting the saddle on the horse without a pad to try to assess the fit, and to run your hand under the saddle, though it's kind of tough to know for sure what you're feeling. As he said, the sweat pattern is very important - dry spots can mean too much localized pressure, which in time and enough riding will become white hair, and eventually saddle sores.
When you think of the saddle on the horse, think about lugging a heavy backpack all day. You'd want it to fit pretty well or you'd end up sore and cranky.
If you're really new to this it's a good idea to get someone with some experience to give you a hand. I'm lucky, my wife taught me everything I know!

-Jim

pasorider
New Member

Mar 14, 2006, 3:35 AM

Post #5 of 9 (916 views)
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Re: [JimHess] Used Saddles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you for your excellent advice regarding saddle fitting. It never occurred to me to check the latigo or strap that holds the fenders. Some people advise using the white towel test which is the same you advocate but when removing the white towel the dry spots just may be easier to see. Mary

JimHess
Silver Member

Mar 14, 2006, 7:30 AM

Post #6 of 9 (913 views)
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Re: [pasorider] Used Saddles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Mary, glad you found this forum and checked in. I wish more people would. I think a site like this can be very useful for an exchange of ideas and knowledge, and hope it grows.
I think you're right about the white towel test. The more you can do to try to figure out the proper fit of the saddle, the better. Another thing to be aware of, for saddle fit, is where the saddle is sitting on the horse. A little too far forward or back can make a big difference, even in a properly fitted saddle, not to mention poor rider posture, or putting too much weight in one stirrup, shifting the saddle to one side.
Another way to judge saddle fit, that unfortunately only works on an english saddle, is to sprinkle the horse's back with talcum powder and set the saddle on, pressing evenly front and back.Rubbing a little oil on the underside of the saddle helps to pick up the powder.
I see by your I.D. that you must have a paso? How do you like that? I have had a Foxtrotter for years but have not made him stay in his gait, having more fun running everywhere, or pacing a mile-a-minute. My wife, after riding trotting horses all her life, just got a Walker and is really enjoying it, so I'm trying to make my guy gait along with her, which is fun, too. People with Pasos seem to be crazy about them, so I'm curious as to your take on them.

-Jim

pasorider
New Member

Mar 14, 2006, 3:12 PM

Post #7 of 9 (903 views)
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Re: [JimHess] Used Saddles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jim - I leased a Paso Fino last summer and fall. It was a 14 yr old mare former show horse. To be honest it was an extremely well trained horse for the daughter of the BO but she knew I was a beginner and didn't know the aids and she took advantage of me all the time. They speak of "brio" in the paso kingdom meaning highly spirited. Boy this one was really a goer! Too much engine for me. I am now in the process of buying a walker TWH. I don't feel picky about the breed as much as the gait. I am a "bit" older and want a smoother ride and hoping to find a horse that is somewhat "laid back" as they say. I agree this is a good forum and it really helps to bounce ideas and ask questions. Thanks, Mary

JimHess
Silver Member

Mar 14, 2006, 8:24 PM

Post #8 of 9 (899 views)
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Re: [pasorider] Used Saddles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Good luck in your search for a smooth ride and a good personality. You're right that not all gaited horses are created equal, no matter the breed. A lot depends on their conformation. Some just have more natural ability than others. Sometimes people will try to enhance the horse's way of going with creative shoing and different foot angles, but I don't think that's good for the horse in the long run. What I'm trying to say is, be aware that a dealer may have manipulated the horse into having a better gait than he naturally has.

-Jim

Mark4510
Silver Member

Mar 15, 2006, 2:36 PM

Post #9 of 9 (894 views)
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Re: [JimHess] Used Saddles [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Jim, I know I have said this in the past but I really enjoy logging in to see what pic your going to have posted. This one gave me a chuckle.......

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