| Buying the wrong western saddle is a very | | | | important partner in this deal - your horse. If the |
| common occurrence in the western riding world. | | | | saddle doesn't fit your horse well, than the rest |
| It's also a very expensive learning experience. | | | | doesn't matter. Make sure you understand the |
| You can skip this painful lesson by avoiding the | | | | basics of horse fit and determine beforehand |
| top seven western saddle buying mistakes. | | | | whether the saddle will be a good fit for your |
| 1. Buying Pretty - While we'd all like a nice looking | | | | horse. |
| saddle, letting looks drive your buying decision is | | | | 6. Buying One-Size-Fits-All - While you shouldn't |
| asking for trouble. The quality of the saddle | | | | need a different saddle for every horse you ride, |
| materials and the construction are far more | | | | one saddle will not fit every horse you run across. |
| important than the look of a saddle. A poorly | | | | The best approach is to choose a saddle that will |
| made saddle can look awfully pretty, especially to | | | | fit the basic physical type of horse that you'll ride. |
| the uninitiated. Don't fall for this one. | | | | For instance, I ride Quarter Horses that are on |
| 2. Buying Image - Have dreams of riding the | | | | the smaller size. I have a saddle that will fit most |
| range and working the cattle drive? Or maybe | | | | horses of this type. If you ride more than one |
| riding to an NFR championship buckle in barrel | | | | type of horse, you'll need multiple saddles. |
| racing? While the cowboy and cowgirl dreams and | | | | 7. Buying Brand (or Endorsement) - This one is a |
| imagery can be strong and enticing, don't let | | | | little trickier. Buying a well-established brand is not |
| those images determine your saddle choice. | | | | a bad idea. You just need to be aware that a |
| Choose a saddle type that fits the actual type of | | | | number of saddle brands have been around a long |
| riding that you'll be doing. | | | | time and the quality of their saddles have varied |
| 3. Buying Cheap - Cheap saddles are not a | | | | significantly over time. The quality can also vary |
| bargain. Poor quality materials and construction will | | | | over their current product lines. Never just blindly |
| shorten saddle life, and, more importantly, will | | | | buy by brand without thoroughly inspecting the |
| cause discomfort and impair movement in your | | | | quality of the saddle in consideration. Additionally, |
| horse. If you can't afford at least a | | | | celebrity endorsement can seem like a stamp of |
| middle-of-the-road new saddle ($500 and up), then | | | | approval, but it really doesn't mean more than |
| buying used is a great solution. Quality saddles last | | | | that the celebrity is receiving payment for use of |
| a long time, making buying a "pre-owned" saddle a | | | | his or her name. Very few celebrities have any |
| smart buy. | | | | input into the design and construction of the |
| 4. Buying Dumb - You need to educate yourself | | | | saddles bearing their name. |
| on some saddle basics before buying. Ride in as | | | | Many riders have a tack room full of saddles that |
| many different saddles as you can. Talk to all the | | | | didn't work out. Others are constantly buying and |
| horse people you know about their saddles. Pick | | | | selling saddles in search of just the right one. It |
| the brain of knowledgeable saddle folks. And, | | | | doesn't have to be this way. If you do your |
| always, before purchasing a saddle, know the | | | | homework beforehand to truly understand your |
| seller's tryout and return policies. | | | | horse's and your own needs, you can purchase |
| 5. Buying Selfish - You found a saddle that's high | | | | the one saddle that will be a match for you, your |
| quality, pretty, and fits you well. You're all set | | | | horse, and your riding activities. |
| right? Wrong. You're forgetting one very | | | | |