Having a horse is a luxury– an expensive one that leaves many equestrians operating on a strict budget. If you’re shopping for an affordable English saddle, you might be considering looking at used English saddles for sale to save some money and get a big brand saddle at a lower price. But before you decide to message that seller on Facebook marketplace or click purchase on eBay– pause a moment and consider the risks.
Consider the Source
We’ve all fallen into the trap of buying something from Facebook Marketplace. While that’s fine for home decor and maybe a few tools, it’s not necessarily a safe place to buy tack, like used jumping saddles or used dressage saddles. Those advertising used English saddles for sale aren’t typically experts in saddle fitting or manufacturing. Usually, these sellers are other everyday equestrians who outgrew their saddle, bought a new horse, or decided to get out of horses altogether. Their saddle could have a significant problem– and they would never even know it. Alternatively, there is the scenario where they know their used jumping saddle has a broken tree and are hoping you won’t notice, but let’s hope that people like this are few and far between.
Now this isn’t to say that it’s never safe to buy a used English saddle, but it’s important to consider where you’re shopping. Are you looking at used saddles that have been reviewed and repaired by a professional saddle fitter? Or are you purchasing your new-to-you saddle from someone who doesn’t have the education needed to ensure the saddle is still safe to ride in?
If you do choose to search for used English saddles for sale, try to purchase from a reputable source. Look for a used jumping saddle or used dressage saddle from a saddle fitter who has gone over the saddle with a fine toothed comb and ensured it’s still safe to use.
X-Ray Vision Required
Not all issues are visible to the eye. Certain problems are only visible through specific techniques used by saddle fitters, like a broken tree. Many equestrians assume that a saddle with a broken tree may be visibly twisted or mangled. Maybe the cantle would be dangling at a 90 degree angle from the pommel or some simple pressing on the seat would reveal a widening crack that can be easily felt. The truth is that a saddle with a broken tree looks nearly exactly the same as a perfectly intact saddle.
The only way to tell if your saddle has a broken tree is to check via a maneuver taught to trained saddle fitters. Place the cantle on your stomach and hold the pommel with both hands so the saddle sits parallel to the floor and at a 90 degree angle to your body. Firmly pull your hands back towards your stomach. As you pull your hands towards you, listen for any clicking or cracking noises. Movement or twisting in the seat of the saddle can also signal that it has a broken tree.
Even using this method of checking the saddle is not foolproof. The movement you’re looking for can be subtle and difficult to discern, meaning that this is best left to a qualified saddle fitter.
There are other possible issues with the tree of a saddle besides breaking and cracking. Trees can also twist after a serious fall, extreme weather damage. Even repeated use on an uneven horse or repeated uneven pressure from the rider can cause a tree to twist. These twists can be difficult to see unless you’ve practiced by evaluating hundreds of saddles, like a professional saddle fitter.
Take Stitching Issues Seriously
What do you do when you have a loose thread on your jeans? A quick pull and a snap and the thread is gone and your jeans look new again. Unfortunately, a loose thread is a more serious problem when it comes to used English saddles for sale. What looks like a little bit of loose stitching to the average rider can actually turn out to be a major problem.
Unlike denim jeans which can fray, causing loose threads, saddles are made entirely from leather, which doesn’t fray. The stitching on affordable English saddles isn’t there for looks– it’s essential for the construction of the saddle. If you see a loose thread on a used jumping saddle or used dressage saddle, do not ride in the saddle before having it evaluated by a qualified saddle fitter. What may seem like a small cosmetic issue to you, can cause the entire front flap of the saddle to fall off.
HDR: Affordable English Saddles
Buying a used English saddle clearly means taking a few risks with no guarantees. After all, if you purchase a used saddle and discover that it has a broken tree, you most likely won’t be able to return it. Luckily, buying used isn’t your only option when it comes to saving money on a high-quality saddle.
Henri de Rivel takes pride in offering beautiful and affordable English saddles for sale. For example, the Henri de Rivel Advantage Close Contact Saddle is available for just under $1,000. Available with both flocked and foam padding, this saddle will look right at home in both the hunter and equitation rings. With a European-inspired design, this saddle looks like one that would cost you twice what you can buy it for.
Shop for affordable English saddles on Breeches.com.