| Buying the wrong western saddle is a very | | | | horse fit and determine beforehand whether the |
| common occurrence in the western riding world. | | | | saddle will be a good fit for your horse.Buying |
| It's also a very expensive learning experience. | | | | One-Size-Fits-All. While you shouldn't need a |
| You can skip this painful lesson by avoiding the | | | | different saddle for every horse you ride, one |
| top seven western saddle buying mistakes. | | | | saddle will not fit every horse you run across. The |
| Buying Pretty. While we'd all like a nice looking | | | | best approach is to choose a saddle that will fit |
| saddle, letting looks drive your buying decision is | | | | the basic physical type of horse that you'll ride. |
| asking for trouble. The quality of the saddle | | | | For instance, I ride Quarter Horses that are on |
| materials and the construction are far more | | | | the smaller size. I have a saddle that will fit most |
| important than the look of a saddle. A poorly | | | | horses of this type. If you ride more than one |
| made saddle can look awfully pretty, especially to | | | | type of horse, you'll need multiple saddles.Buying |
| the uninitiated. Don't fall for this one.Buying Image. | | | | Brand (or Endorsement). This one is a little trickier. |
| Have dreams of riding the range and working a | | | | Buying a well-established brand is not a bad idea. |
| cattle drive? Or maybe riding to an NFR | | | | You just need to be aware that a number of |
| championship buckle in barrel racing? While the | | | | saddle brands have been around a long time and |
| cowboy and cowgirl dreams and imagery can be | | | | the quality of their saddles have varied significantly |
| strong and enticing, don't let those images | | | | over time. The quality can also vary within a |
| determine your saddle choice. Choose a saddle | | | | brand's current product lines. They might have |
| type that fits the actual type of riding that you'll | | | | great roping saddles but just average barrel |
| be doing.Buying Cheap. Cheap saddles are not a | | | | saddles. Never just blindly buy by brand without |
| bargain. Poor quality materials and construction will | | | | thoroughly inspecting the quality of the saddle in |
| shorten saddle life, and, more importantly, will | | | | consideration. Additionally, celebrity endorsement |
| cause discomfort and impair movement in your | | | | can seem like a stamp of approval, but it really |
| horse. If you can't afford at least a | | | | doesn't mean more than that the celebrity is |
| middle-of-the-road new saddle ($500 and up), then | | | | receiving payment for use of his or her name. |
| buying used is a great solution. Quality saddles last | | | | Very few celebrities have any input into the |
| a long time, making buying a "pre-owned" saddle a | | | | design and construction of the saddles bearing |
| smart buy.Buying Dumb. You need to educate | | | | their name.Many riders have a tack room full of |
| yourself on some saddle basics before buying. | | | | saddles that didn't work out. Others are |
| Ride in as many different saddles as you can. Talk | | | | constantly buying and selling saddles in search of |
| to all the horse people you know about their | | | | just the right one. It doesn't have to be this way. |
| saddles. Pick the brain of knowledgeable saddle | | | | If you do your homework beforehand to truly |
| folks. And, always, before purchasing a saddle, | | | | understand your horse's and your own needs, you |
| know the seller's tryout and return policies.Buying | | | | can purchase the one saddle that will be a match |
| Selfish. You found a saddle that's high quality, | | | | for you, your horse, and your riding activities.Beth |
| pretty, and fits you well. You're all set right? | | | | Stefani is the publisher of a comprehensive online |
| Wrong. You're forgetting one very important | | | | resource for understanding, choosing, and caring |
| partner in this deal - your horse. If the saddle | | | | for the western saddle and accessories that are |
| doesn't fit your horse well, than the rest doesn't | | | | right for you. |
| matter. Make sure you understand the basics of | | | | |