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