I once bought a new saddle from a well-known German saddlery. It was relatively affordable, and the pommel started to separate after 1,5 years of use...a bit too soon for my liking. It was fine, it did not fit my horse any longer anyways. So I took it apart. It was shocking what I found beneath the leather. Also, I bought a used Cobra, at a bargain of 250 €. It was a custom saddle, but both my horse and myself fit the bill. I had this lovely piece for three years, and sold it with my horse. The new owner continued to use it, until she (not my horse) grew out of it. I got it that cheap, because it had a green leather seat and brown Panels, otherwise black - a rather extravagant combination, so the shop had trouble selling it. But it was the absolutely best English saddle I ever had for my horse. Despite being a dressage model, I could take small jumps with it. Best English saddle I ever used.
What is really sad is some well meaning non horsy parents might jump at such a cheap saddle for their child not only their child’s pony or horse will be damaged as well as teach the child’s posture will be affected causing the child to learn as incorrect seat plus possable badly affect their child’s back and the animals back
Oh yes! Absolutely true! And they think they’re doing the right thing because it’s leather. Which people presume is better quality than synthetic- but actually a branded synthetic eg Thorowgood would be MUCH better than these cheap awful things.
My saddle was 150 euros and i was dang lucky its one of the best saddles ive rode in, btw we got a saddle fitter out and they said it was a good fit and a good saddle!
Hi. Thank you for the feedback. I’ll see what I can do. Unfortunately, when I did them without music, everyone asked for music. 😳 I’m glad you’re enjoying them :)
A Day In The Life Of A Saddle Fitter oh, I am enjoying them. Such a great idea to take the cheaper saddle apart, but horrifying to think if it on a horse’s back. Don’t mind me about the music. I think I may have been out of sorts last night. 😊
I bought the cob D-flex (9.38) for my girl about 2 years ago, i suckered in to the fact i could send pics and get it "made to measure" at a time where i was struggling find something that fit. Straight away it didnt look like the pic, the skirt ripped away when i put the stirrups on and the knee block came off. When riding i have always slipped over to the left in it. Im sure it's no coincidence that now she hates me putting a saddle on and i feel absolutely terrible for it. Do your horse a favour and dont fall for it 🥺
Awww so sorry to hear you had such an awful experience with the saddle. They are SO badly made and it's awful that they claim they're made to measure... they're 100% not!
What about a medium-grade saddle (Dover Circuit, Bates, M Toulouse) versus a high end (Antares, Devocoux, Butet, etc)? Which is most worth it? Also, what's your opinion on saddles with adjustable trees? Thanks for an educational video!
I would say that a lot of the very 'high end' saddles seem to be made with the rider in mind, more than the horse... Not all of them, of course. ;) I am doing a video on adjustable saddles very soon, so keep your eyes peeled. x
So I just bought a new saddle on ebay and I'm actually really happy with it. So here are my tips for anyone shopping online for saddles: 1. If it's too good to be true... it probably is (goes without saying, really) 2. GO WITH A BRAND NAME!!! A lot of these cheap "handmade" saddles are made by amateur craftsmen in their garage or something. Go with a good brand that has a high standard for their products. You don't have to pay a thousand dollars for a top-of-the-line saddle, but understand that you'll probably pay $500 - $700 for a decent brand. You CANNOT get a good saddle for $200. 3. Vet your seller. Check their home page, their reviews, and most importantly, ASK QUESTIONS. A bad seller will generally avoid giving out extra info and pressure you into buying asap. If you can, ask to see the saddle in person, or even take it for a test ride, before you buy. If you can't do that, ask them for additional pictures of the saddle from every angle you can think of. A good seller is patient and will happily oblige your requests. 4. Did I mention asking questions? Oh yeah, ask questions! Stay in communication with your seller as you deliberate your purchase. Ask them about their return and customer service policies, ask them about the saddle material, ask them where they get their inventory from. Ask technical questions about the tree and the flocking. Have the seller keep you notified of every step in the purchase and shipping process. Personally, I always have the seller send me a picture of the billet straps on both sides of the saddle because I know those are the first thing to go on a saddle. I was looking at one saddle and was worried about the stitching, but when I asked to see the saddle in person, the seller backed out and refused to send me a closer picture of the stitches. Suspicious much? 5. Last but not least: Do your research and don't compromise. Know what you are looking for BEFORE you start shopping for a saddle. Talk to your trainer about what you want and what they think is best for you. Or go to a local tack store for consultation (they shouldn't charge you). Don't let the seller convince you of what you want.
Disagree I've gotten 2 great used saddles for under 200. heck one is a monoflap. The trick? They were both sold by western riders who didn't know what they had and cleaned up could go for at least 400 (One is admittedly well loved but structurally sound) the other probably closer to 7 or 8.
Sadly, I have to tell them we are unable to fit them as they’re unsafe. Most take it fairly well but often they’re upset they’ve put their horse (and themselves!) at risk :(
bargain! I presume it was second hand? But that's still a bargain for second hand... this video is about the new ones that are that cheap because it's not possible to make one that cheaply!
I got a new Bates AP for US $800.00, 50% off! Someone must have returned it.. it had a minute scratch on the cantle. As soon as I put some leather balm on it (which, btw, Bates sent me!) the scratch was not noticable. I bought it from a reputable company, and then had a saddle fitter out twice, but still, I have less $ into a custom-fitted saddle than if I'd paid full price. My advice is look at quality used saddles and good deals on new...then get them fitted. :)
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Thank you for that. It's really shocking....in fact, frightening to see what is out there just waiting for the unwary
Ruth Minter thank you! Next video is up and ready now xxx
I once bought a new saddle from a well-known German saddlery. It was relatively affordable, and the pommel started to separate after 1,5 years of use...a bit too soon for my liking. It was fine, it did not fit my horse any longer anyways. So I took it apart. It was shocking what I found beneath the leather. Also, I bought a used Cobra, at a bargain of 250 €. It was a custom saddle, but both my horse and myself fit the bill. I had this lovely piece for three years, and sold it with my horse. The new owner continued to use it, until she (not my horse) grew out of it. I got it that cheap, because it had a green leather seat and brown Panels, otherwise black - a rather extravagant combination, so the shop had trouble selling it. But it was the absolutely best English saddle I ever had for my horse. Despite being a dressage model, I could take small jumps with it. Best English saddle I ever used.
Sounds fab
There's so many crap new saddles on eBay that I filter them out by only looking at used saddles.
This really shocked me. When I put in a search for saddles under £400... there were MORE new ones than second hand ones. How?!?!
What is really sad is some well meaning non horsy parents might jump at such a cheap saddle for their child not only their child’s pony or horse will be damaged as well as teach the child’s posture will be affected causing the child to learn as incorrect seat plus possable badly affect their child’s back and the animals back
Oh yes! Absolutely true! And they think they’re doing the right thing because it’s leather. Which people presume is better quality than synthetic- but actually a branded synthetic eg Thorowgood would be MUCH better than these cheap awful things.
14:09 those stirrup irons absolutely horrified me
My saddle was 150 euros and i was dang lucky its one of the best saddles ive rode in, btw we got a saddle fitter out and they said it was a good fit and a good saddle!
YIPPEE! That sounds like a total BARGAIN!
I was looking at the saddle with white saddlecloth for my cob . I went.for 3 known saddles
I know a leather saddle with an okay quality... for ca 225£
Could you do this but looking at used saddles?
Ooh good idea. On eBay? Looking at things to look out for? Good idea for a video! Thank you!
England isn't the only country in the world. In the US cob just means the size between horse and Pony
Really enjoying your saddle series. Might it be possible not to include the music? It is very distracting.
Hi. Thank you for the feedback. I’ll see what I can do. Unfortunately, when I did them without music, everyone asked for music. 😳 I’m glad you’re enjoying them :)
A Day In The Life Of A Saddle Fitter oh, I am enjoying them. Such a great idea to take the cheaper saddle apart, but horrifying to think if it on a horse’s back. Don’t mind me about the music. I think I may have been out of sorts last night. 😊
I bought the cob D-flex (9.38) for my girl about 2 years ago, i suckered in to the fact i could send pics and get it "made to measure" at a time where i was struggling find something that fit. Straight away it didnt look like the pic, the skirt ripped away when i put the stirrups on and the knee block came off. When riding i have always slipped over to the left in it. Im sure it's no coincidence that now she hates me putting a saddle on and i feel absolutely terrible for it. Do your horse a favour and dont fall for it 🥺
Awww so sorry to hear you had such an awful experience with the saddle. They are SO badly made and it's awful that they claim they're made to measure... they're 100% not!
What about a medium-grade saddle (Dover Circuit, Bates, M Toulouse) versus a high end (Antares, Devocoux, Butet, etc)? Which is most worth it? Also, what's your opinion on saddles with adjustable trees? Thanks for an educational video!
I would say that a lot of the very 'high end' saddles seem to be made with the rider in mind, more than the horse... Not all of them, of course. ;)
I am doing a video on adjustable saddles very soon, so keep your eyes peeled. x
So I just bought a new saddle on ebay and I'm actually really happy with it. So here are my tips for anyone shopping online for saddles:
1. If it's too good to be true... it probably is (goes without saying, really)
2. GO WITH A BRAND NAME!!! A lot of these cheap "handmade" saddles are made by amateur craftsmen in their garage or something. Go with a good brand that has a high standard for their products. You don't have to pay a thousand dollars for a top-of-the-line saddle, but understand that you'll probably pay $500 - $700 for a decent brand. You CANNOT get a good saddle for $200.
3. Vet your seller. Check their home page, their reviews, and most importantly, ASK QUESTIONS. A bad seller will generally avoid giving out extra info and pressure you into buying asap. If you can, ask to see the saddle in person, or even take it for a test ride, before you buy. If you can't do that, ask them for additional pictures of the saddle from every angle you can think of. A good seller is patient and will happily oblige your requests.
4. Did I mention asking questions? Oh yeah, ask questions! Stay in communication with your seller as you deliberate your purchase. Ask them about their return and customer service policies, ask them about the saddle material, ask them where they get their inventory from. Ask technical questions about the tree and the flocking. Have the seller keep you notified of every step in the purchase and shipping process. Personally, I always have the seller send me a picture of the billet straps on both sides of the saddle because I know those are the first thing to go on a saddle. I was looking at one saddle and was worried about the stitching, but when I asked to see the saddle in person, the seller backed out and refused to send me a closer picture of the stitches. Suspicious much?
5. Last but not least: Do your research and don't compromise. Know what you are looking for BEFORE you start shopping for a saddle. Talk to your trainer about what you want and what they think is best for you. Or go to a local tack store for consultation (they shouldn't charge you). Don't let the seller convince you of what you want.
Think these resellers should be named as they are putting lives at risk, but I get the legal issues.
It is heartbreaking, isn’t it? :’(
Wow. A saddle for 60 bucks??? You cant buy a good one for less than 200 or 300, used or new, I swear
True!
Disagree I've gotten 2 great used saddles for under 200. heck one is a monoflap. The trick? They were both sold by western riders who didn't know what they had and cleaned up could go for at least 400 (One is admittedly well loved but structurally sound) the other probably closer to 7 or 8.
I'd love to know what you do when you see a client with a saddle like these. What do you say? :o
Sadly, I have to tell them we are unable to fit them as they’re unsafe. Most take it fairly well but often they’re upset they’ve put their horse (and themselves!) at risk :(
I got so sick of crap Ebay saddles I bought a £700 easytrek treeless saddle,I have a 13.2 very wide section c,its the best saddle I ever bought💜💜💜💜
i got a real bates leather saddle for $100 aud hehe
bargain! I presume it was second hand? But that's still a bargain for second hand... this video is about the new ones that are that cheap because it's not possible to make one that cheaply!
I got a new Bates AP for US $800.00, 50% off! Someone must have returned it.. it had a minute scratch on the cantle. As soon as I put some leather balm on it (which, btw, Bates sent me!) the scratch was not noticable. I bought it from a reputable company, and then had a saddle fitter out twice, but still, I have less $ into a custom-fitted saddle than if I'd paid full price. My advice is look at quality used saddles and good deals on new...then get them fitted. :)
I got my caprilli for $0. Just 15 minutes of stall cleaning