English Saddles Used

How to buy a used saddle

The process of buying used saddles can be enjoyable, less expensive, and educational; provided you are aware of all the pitfalls. Ask yourself some questions:

• Is this saddle safe to ride on?
• Is it going to fit me?
• Is it going to fit my horse?
• Is it wool flocked or foam panel?
• Why am I interested in one more than the other?
• Is this girthing system designed with my horses' comfort in mind?
• What is my price range?
• Do I want leather or synthetic?

The most important of these questions is the safety one, because you are not always able to ensure the saddles has been stored and cleaned properly. Dry, hard tack is prone to cracking and splitting. Leather is a living, breathing material and needs constant moisturizing and cleaning. Only moisturizing will help it accumulate dirt and clog the pores, so the leather can't breathe. Only cleaning will leave it without essential oils and make it brittle. One step preparations do neither well, so don't use them.

• No saddle should be over-flocked, this distorts the panel.
• Always check, if you buy from a retailer, that they have a safety checklist.
• Stirrup bar rivets should be checked.
• Trees should be checked by a professional. Any squeak means a rivet head is gone. Any undue flexibility will mean a tree is broken, remember it is not just the head (pommel) that breaks.
• Flocking should not be lumpy.
• Any saddle that has linen or hemp strapping above the billet (usually white in color) is old and should not be used as this has not been in production for over 20 years now and because it is a natural fiber, will dry rot.
• Girth billets should not look stretched or the holes elongated, there should be no cracking on them.
• Saddles should be symmetrical from the front-back, flocked panel, and gussets.

For more information please visit www.hcsusa.blogspot.com and www.hastilowusa.com.