| When you're looking for a quality western saddle, | | | | the leather looks to be of good quality (thick, |
| a used saddle can be a smart choice. The best | | | | doesn't curl), but looks dried out, a good cleaning |
| saddles will last a lifetime with proper care. So, like | | | | and conditioning can do wonders and bring back a |
| luxury cars, a quality used saddle can be more | | | | lot of its luster.4. Underside Fleece. Expect to find |
| aptly described as previously-owned. You can buy | | | | a good amount of wear and dirt here, but |
| a lot more saddle for your money in the used | | | | excessive wear may require having the fleece |
| category.But buying used requires close inspection | | | | replaced which isn't cheap. Also, uneven wear can |
| of the saddle prior to buying. A used saddle is | | | | be a sign of a badly designed saddle that doesn't |
| bound to have some wear and some scuffs and | | | | fit well and should be avoided.5. Stitching. Check |
| scrapes. That's to be expected. What you're really | | | | the stitching to make sure it's intact. Minor |
| looking for are structural problems. The following | | | | problems can be repaired, but a saddle with a lot |
| are the top 7 used saddle inspection tips.1. Saddle | | | | of rotting and missing stitching should be |
| Tree. The saddle tree is the foundation of a | | | | avoided.6. Surface. While a quality saddle can last a |
| saddle, so if it's not solid nothing else matters. To | | | | long time, the care it receives will impact its |
| test the tree, set the saddle on its fork, nose | | | | lifespan and its appearance. Saddles are made to |
| down. Press down hard on the cantle and twist, | | | | be used and passing on a quality used saddle |
| looking for bending which is an indication of a | | | | because of some scratches and scuff marks is a |
| broken tree. A broken tree is a deal breaker. DO | | | | mistake. But, you'll have to determine what you |
| NOT purchase a saddle with a broken tree.2. | | | | can live with.7. Parts Inventory. Do a check to |
| Leather Quality. High quality leather will be thick, | | | | see which parts might be missing. Most parts |
| soft, and supple. It has a much longer life, | | | | (stirrups, stirrup hobbles, billets, cinches) can be |
| especially if well cared for. Low quality leather will | | | | easily replaced (and many will prefer their own |
| be thin, often cracked, and will not keep its shape. | | | | choices anyway), but missing parts should factor |
| Avoid buying used saddles with low quality leather. | | | | into the price.Buying a used saddle can be a very |
| There's no bargain there.3. Leather Condition. | | | | smart choice, IF you carefully inspect the saddle |
| Check whether the jockeys and skirts lie flat or | | | | prior to purchase.Beth Stefani is the publisher of a |
| curl up. Curling is a sign of either poor quality | | | | comprehensive online resource for understanding, |
| leather or leather that is used-up. It's pretty much | | | | choosing, and caring for the western saddle and |
| impossible to get curled leather to lie flat again. If | | | | accessories that are right for you. |