subject: Used Hunter Jumper Saddle Buying Guide [print this page] Buying a new English saddle can be quite an investment, so it's important to take your time researching brands you like, deciding on a particular style, and also making sure it's the right fit for you and your horse. Once you have taken the time with research and settled on the perfect saddle, you should be able to enjoy your saddle for years to come.
Brands: There are many brands of hunter jumper saddles, so how do you choose the right one? It's a matter of preference really, but also, in general, really good, expensive brands have created saddles of the best materials. They also tend to be designed for maximum comfort not only for you, but also for your horse. On the high end of the price scale are Beval Butet and Hermes saddles that are very popular with people competing in A-rated hunter/jumper shows. If you're interested in more of a day-to-day schooling saddle that can also be used in the show ring, you can't go wrong with the less expensive brands like Pessoa, Collegiate, Stubben, Bates, and Ovation, to name a few.
Fit: It is incredibly important that you have the right fitting saddle for both you and your horse. The saddle is generally measured in inches from the pommel to the end of the seat. For adults, saddle sizes start at 15" for small adults (about 5' tall) up to 19" saddles for people over 6ft. Besides fitting the saddle to you, it's important that it fit your horse comfortably. If you have a thoroughbred or skinnier horse with narrow shoulders, you will want a narrower pommel. However, the same saddle would pinch a big warmblood, so you would need to make adjustments accordingly.
With this information in mind, it's time to go out and try some saddles and research saddles for sale. Look at tack shops, stable sales and online sites like eBay and Craigslist. There are even some websites online that are dedicated to finding great deals so you can compare similar saddles side-by-side to find the one for the best value.
You might also consider searching sites like eBay and Craigslist for great deals on used saddles. Just make sure you trust the seller to give you an accurate description of the saddle. You'll want to have all the measurements, information on any repairs, and age of the saddle.
by: Sookie Cosgrave
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