<<Need Help picking a saddle>>

[Daniel Tremblay]

Alright guys I recently bought my first horse. She is a 5yr old Kiger Mustang Mare. I bought this horse soley for trail riding and hunting. I havnt had he measured for a saddle or anything like that but I do know she is a round backed horse and requires a full quarter horse tree. Now my question for you guys is what kind of a saddle would you guys suggest to buy??? I'm not looking to spend a ton of money if that helps narrowing your guys suggestions.
Thanks for the help...Daniel

[Spencer]

Congrats on the Kiger Mustang. I have heard a lot about them and like what I have heard. tough feet, extremely hardy, can go all day and all night. And great coloration thrown in. Hope you plan on posting pics.

I have a Nokota. She does not have prominent withers but isn't quite mutton withered. I did a wither tracing and sent it to the guy that built my saddle. He built the saddle on a wade tree with Arizona bars. Not quite sure what that means but it fits her real well. I have been keeping an eye on the sweat patterns in the wool pad and on her back and I am not finding any dry spots at all.

That might be a starting point for you if you are interested in getting a wade saddle.

BTW, you dont want to spend a ton of money......Are you looking to have an affordable new saddle built for your mare or an off the shelf saddle?

[Daniel Tremblay]

I'll see if i cant get a picture rounded up but probably just an off the shelf saddle or even a used off the shelf. Damn saddles are freaking expensive...Horses and hounds are probably the two most expensive sports and some how I got sucked into both lmao

[zachvu]

I have a wade that I got for free from a friend and absolutely love it! It's a very solid built ranch quality saddle, but plenty of leather all over to hang whatever I need to. I mostly use it as a trail saddle as my horse is pretty much just that also. One thing I've done is take a coat hanger and bend it to get the exact shape of the horses back, then put that under used saddles that I found and was interested in on craigslist. It took some driving time to find ones with a good fit, but if they fit the horse and I was comfortable then I got a great saddle for a great price!

[Spencer]

Dan, what got you into the Kiger breed? Where did you find yours?
Looking for a saddle, keep an eye out for these under their used saddles. I don't have a link, but you can google them. Brighton feed and saddlery, Teskey's, Capriolas, and http://www.ranchworldads.com/index.php?cat_id=12

Let us know how you make out.

Zach, I did the same with the coat hangar, just traced it onto paper and mailed it to the saddlemaker I used. Fits real well and I got the saddle built the way I want.

[pegleg]

have you checked out different saddles to see which seat fits you and what your preferences our? getting the top side right makes as much difference as getting the bottom right. if you plan on going for the occasional longer ride it is pretty important. You can get by with some faults if you just ride a little but if it's your everyday saddle or you plan on putting a soft back side in it for a eight hour ride you'll need a good fit.

[Daniel Tremblay]

This is Neya. I decided on getting her because of three things. #1 I'll never have to worry about shoeing her for where I ride. #2 She is very agile, sturdy and sure footed, #3 I just like the fact that shes a wild bred horse lol. The lady I bought her from said she came from a res. in Nevada. I actually got really lucky and found her just a town away from my inlaws house. She was advertised on craigslist.com as a "green" broke horse but I consider her pretty much finished lol. Even talked the lady down to 400 bucks lol.

As for a saddle type..the one in the picture is about a 15 yr old Circle Y and I absolutely love it. By far the most comforable saddle i've riden in so far. Only problem is its my brother in-laws and not for sale lol.

[STUNTMAN]

Nice looking mount Dan.

[Daniel Tremblay]

Thanks, she sure has been a pleasure so far.

[plottpappaw]

i haven't rode in years but for long rides i'm gonna suggest an australian style saddle. best ones are made by amish folks.

[Spencer]

nice looking ride!!!!
good luck with her
Let us know when you find a saddle.

[tedsmith]

Try some pawn shops you can get some pretty good deals once in a while, I was in one the other day and saw a Todd Sloan for 700 just like brand new. Be sure to check for broken trees if you go that route, if you like that circle y,I would measure it and google mock brothers saddlery they have hundreds of saddles new and used they probably have that same saddle in stock.

[dirtydan]

Look up James Morris saddlery in NM. He is one of the best old saddle makers around. He must think it is still the past cause he will still sell you a new saddle for $650. He learned to make saddles from the late Harlan Webb. Look both of them up on the NM Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum website. There is a neat article about him. Saddles are available on all different trees and he makes something for everything. Good Luck

[Cowboyvon]

James is making me another saddle right now.... Its going to be a hunting saddle with nothing fancy... when he gets it done I'll post some pictures.. One thing good about James is he is reasonable and he will make the way you want it..

[Daniel Tremblay]

Thanks for the tips guys I'm going to look into the morris guy for sure! Has anyone ever used one of those cordura saddles? I realize thwy won't last as long as a leather saddle but the fact that they are so light is very interesting...what's ur guys thoughts on them?