There’s Never Been a Better Time To Buy a Saddle Online
Finding a saddle that fits you—and your horse—can be a challenge even when you can try it on in person. Purchasing a saddle online may feel even more daunting.
But with Covid-19 concerns and limited availability at tack shops, finding a saddle online may be the perfect solution. To aid you in your search, we’re sharing our top tips for buying saddles online with ease and confidence. Trust us on this—it’s possible!—although it may just take some extra time and effort to find the perfect match.
Do Your Research
If you’ve been eyeing a certain saddle that you’re considering buying online, start by doing as much research as you possibly can. And there’s no better place to start your search than with your barn community.
Ask your trainer and your friends if anyone has experience with the particular model or brand—or better yet, if your friends will let you try out their saddles.
Test as many saddles as possible before you jump into purchasing one. Notice the differences of the feel and the fit. Then, keep a notebook of the exact brand, age, and make of the saddle for future reference. (Or just add to the Notes app in your phone for handy reference!)
Once you’ve tried out a wide range of saddles, you’ll have a deeper sense of exactly what kind of saddle you want and what features are important to you. Do you need a saddle with knee rolls? An extra deep seat? A particular fit for your horse? Once you’ve purchased your saddle online, take it for a test ride. It’s always a good idea to consult your trainer or any experts at your barn for a second pair of eyes.
Understand Your Body
Everyone’s body anatomy varies—so as much as you need to find a saddle that fits your horse, you also need to find a saddle that fits your body too. Trying out a wide range of different saddles from your equestrian community is a great way to start narrowing down the options.
As you test ride saddles, become aware of how a saddle interacts with your body. Do you feel unbalanced or off-kilter? Are you having difficulty in keeping your hips and shoulders aligned, or keeping your leg on? Is it difficult to find a deep connection with the horse’s movement? If you notice any sort of disconnection or imbalance, make a note of it. As you become increasingly attuned to your body, you’ll know when you find a saddle that fits just right.
Plus, remember how your saddle should fit your horse. Saddle-fitting for horses is so, so important—and it can truly make a world of difference in their movement, health, and performance. No matter what your discipline is, if you compete often, or if you just ride recreationally, a well-fitting saddle gives your horse freedom of movement while setting you up for the most effective riding position.
If you aren’t able to partner with a professional saddle fitter in person right now, there are several resources available online. Schleese Saddlery, for instance, has a wonderful collection of YouTube videos that explain the measuring process and tips and tricks for a healthy fit.
Now it’s time to start shopping!
Buying A Used Saddle Online
First off, decide if you want to buy a new or used saddle.
For used saddles, there are hundreds of options available on Craigslist and eBay. And although many of these saddles may be in great shape from reputable sellers, we still recommend doing a brief investigation of the saddle and communicating with the seller to make sure that the saddle is exactly what you’re looking for.
Here are a few questions we’d recommend asking:
- How old is this saddle?
- How has it been cared for?
- When was the last time it was flocked?
- What type of tree does it have?
Ask for photos with a measuring tape in the photo to confirm that it’s the correct size for you—and to double-check that it doesn’t have any odd asymmetries or damage.
If the seller says there’s an issue with a part of the saddle but it can be easily repaired, take that with a grain of salt. While saddles can certainly be repaired in many instances, the price may outweigh the overall value so do your research and maybe even give your local saddle repairer a call to confirm what’s possible.
Buying a New Saddle Online
If you’d rather not buy a used saddle and go through the process of vetting the seller, we love Dover Saddlery, SmartPak, and State Line Tack’s saddle programs.
Dover allows you to temporarily purchase a saddle, ride it for three days as if it’s your own, and then decide whether to keep it or exchange for a different option. They have a wide range of top saddlery brands as well, including Passier, Pessoa, and Prestige.
SmartPak also offers test rides on all of their English saddles. You can treat it as if you’ve already bought it—and if you love it, then keep it. If not, they’ll give you a refund with no questions asked.
State Line Tack has a smaller selection of saddles as they’ve partnered with the saddlery, Bates, with their test ride program. If you’re looking for a particular Bates saddle, State Line Tack may be a great option. Much like Dover and SmartPak, they allow you to test the saddle for three days before committing or sending back for a different option.
A Few Words of Wisdom
Don’t buy vintage—although high-quality leather saddles from reputable brands do age relatively well, all saddles eventually age and start to deteriorate. Additionally, saddle technology and our knowledge and understanding of what a well-fitting saddle should look like have shifted dramatically in the last 10 years.
Lastly, although so hard to resist a good deal, it’s best to stay away from cheap, synthetic options. Despite their tempting cost, synthetic materials don’t age well, and you may end up having to buy a new saddle again within a few years.
Similarly, a brand that isn’t well-known or reputable may not have the best technology. If you’re unsure about a particular brand, do some research online or ask your friends if they are familiar with the quality and durability.
At the end of the day, buying a new saddle is an investment—both for you and for your horse—and we recommend taking some time to make sure you feel completely confident with your purchase. If you feel any doubt in your mind, pause and take a deep breath! It’s not worth making an impulse buy unless you feel 100% confident that it’s the perfect saddle for you and your horse.
So sit back, enjoy the ride, and test lots and lots of saddles! And if you’ve had a particularly good experience with buying saddles online, share your feedback with us in the comments.