Horsey people, come hither!

**JuniorxMyxLove** · 01-23-2009, 03:42 PM

Oi I've been busy lately - poor PT has been neglected lately!

Anyways...my saddle finally sold (eek!) so now I'm beginning the search for a new one. I'm rather picky so I figured if I started looking early then I'd find one by the time I started riding again. Instead, I'm finding myself overwhelmed with saddles that seem...perfect.

I'm quite interested in three saddles (was four, but the fourth owner never emailed me back lol). I'd love to hear your opinions/experiences with them. This saddle is going to have to stick with me for a while, so I need a good one.

Saddle 1 - Northrun Ashland; $300:
http://www.saddlesource.com/proddetail.asp?prod=B24227

This saddle seems almost perfect (*sigh* don't they all?) for what I need, but I've never had any experience with the brand so I'm not quite jumping on it. I'm a little concerned that the flap won't be long enough for me (23" thigh here!) and I'm not sure what fair condition means.

Saddle 2 - HDR Jumping Saddle; $300:
http://www.equinehits.com/hdr.17%22....g.saddle~18628

I'm not too fond of this color, but if the saddle's right for me then I can ignore it, lol. The flaps look reeallyy short on this saddle, but it might just be the angle of the pictures. It also shows a lot of wear from the stirrup leathers. Any comments on this type of saddle are very welcome.

Saddle 3 - Dover Circuit Close Contact; $400:
http://www.equinehits.com/17%22.circ....contact~30567

This one is the most expensive, but it also seems to be in the best condition plus it comes with leathers and irons. I've heard mixed reviews on this, so your opinions are greatly appreciated.

If you don't like any of the saddles, PLEASE let me know! I'm on a tight budget ($400, pretty impressive for a jobless 14 yr old, eh?) so I'm trying to find the best saddle I can within that range.

Or, if you know of another saddle that would work for me (I need at least a 17" but I could go with a 17.5" if needed) just send me a PM!

Thank you SO much!

**Suki Wingy** · 01-24-2009, 05:26 PM

I am here but I don't think I can help you! I think you have surpassed my knowledge on saddles now. Just from the pictures, and what I prefer, I'd go with the first one. Do you know what gullet size you're going to need for the type of horses you're going to ride? My saddle is a medium but I'm scared it'll be too narrow for the horses I'm going to start riding.

**shepgirl** · 01-24-2009, 07:40 PM

I discounted no2. Don't think the saddle is much good and doesn't look comfy either.

I like no.1 - Quality of leather was visible and it seems to have had good care.

No 3 is alos not a bad buy , quality might not be as good as no.1 but you are getting the whole package, saddle, leathers, irons, stirupps etc. Can you try the saddle and return it if you find something wrong wit it? Wish you could have a peek under the flaps to make sure about everything. Also would be nice if you could check out the tree.

Very hard to buy a saddle from a picture but those were the to best ones from the pictures.

**Suki Wingy** · 01-25-2009, 12:17 AM

**JuniorxMyxLove** · 01-25-2009, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by Suki Wingy

I am here but I don't think I can help you! I think you have surpassed my knowledge on saddles now. Just from the pictures, and what I prefer, I'd go with the first one. Do you know what gullet size you're going to need for the type of horses you're going to ride? My saddle is a medium but I'm scared it'll be too narrow for the horses I'm going to start riding.

I'm leaning towards the first one, too. I'm just worried because it's SO cheap from what I've seen of Northrun Ashlands..I'm wondering if there's something wrong with it. I dunno, I'm pretty paranoid.
I rode in a Medium tree before so that's what these three are. The two guys I ride are pretty narrow so I think a medium would work.

Originally Posted by shepgirl

I discounted no2. Don't think the saddle is much good and doesn't look comfy either.

I like no.1 - Quality of leather was visible and it seems to have had good care.

No 3 is alos not a bad buy , quality might not be as good as no.1 but you are getting the whole package, saddle, leathers, irons, stirupps etc. Can you try the saddle and return it if you find something wrong wit it? Wish you could have a peek under the flaps to make sure about everything. Also would be nice if you could check out the tree.

Very hard to buy a saddle from a picture but those were the to best ones from the pictures.

I think on no. 1 I can return it, but I'm not completely sure on that. on their website it says "Rick's Heritage Saddlery Online Internet order customers will receivefull refunds." so I think I could. I liked no. 3 because it came with all that but I really only need the leathers, not the whole dealio.

I'm also leaning towards the first saddle because it's coming from a reputable website, and I trust that they wouldn't sell an unsound saddle more then just a private seller. But I dunno.

Originally Posted by Suki Wingy

Thank you! I completely forgot about horsetackreview.com lol! From what I've read so far, the Northrun Ashland seems to have had the most positive reviews.

I'm thinking that the Northrun Ashland might be my best bet. It appears that there are no knee blocks, so even if my thigh is a touch too long, I won't get bruised or anything. Plus I know someone selling Toulouse leathers in that color for dirt cheap

**JuniorxMyxLove** · 01-25-2009, 09:19 AM

EEK! I took a leap and bought the Northrun Ashland this morning. Here's to hoping nothing happens to it between PA and MI!

**Suki Wingy** · 01-25-2009, 06:27 PM

Pictures when it comes, ok!

**shepgirl** · 01-27-2009, 09:12 AM

Congrats, hope you're happy with it. Saddles are a big decision and harder still on the internet.

**JuniorxMyxLove** · 01-27-2009, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Suki Wingy

Pictures when it comes, ok!

oh, definitely!

Originally Posted by shepgirl

Congrats, hope you're happy with it. Saddles are a big decision and harder still on the internet.

I hope so, too! Someone on another forum told me that I would probably have to replace the billets? That's $100+ in repairs..

I'm REALLY hoping that's not the case.

**JuniorxMyxLove** · 02-09-2009, 04:08 PM

arg. we bought the saddle, waited a week for it, and then found out that it had been on trial and was bought.

Thus, I'm still searching for a saddle. 0.0

**Suki Wingy** · 02-09-2009, 09:20 PM

Oh noes! You can buy mine but I don't think you'd want it. It's basically what you sold. I keep falling out of it because I am riding green horses and it offers basically no support.

**JuniorxMyxLove** · 02-11-2009, 04:48 PM

I know I'm still pretty annoyed about that.

I have, however, found another saddle :] I think. It's an HDR Rivella

Let's hope this ends better, eh?

Thread: Horsey people, come hither!

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

Horsey people, come hither!

Similar Threads

Horsey Horsey pictures! (4 pics)

Small Town people....(big town people read too!!)

My Horsey Baby

HEEEEEEY horsey luvers..... (or anyone who wants to smile)

Zippy-Kat Takes a SPILL offa Horsey :(

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions