Need help with starter western saddle for dressage rider

[keeley]

Hi
Bear with me everyone, I'm new to this and I'll be asking some dumb questions! I am a dressage rider who will be taking my 2 year old Hanoverian to a Buck Brannaman colt starting clinic this fall. I was told that I should take a western saddle rather than a dressage saddle and I should look for a wade tree style saddle. I looked into that and really don't want to spend $2k on a saddle I'll use for the clinic and to trail ride my youngster that first year. What advice do you all have for a relatively inexpensive saddle that will fit my colt well and also allow me to sit in similar balance to my dressage saddle? What is the difference in the trees and sizes? For example I'm not sure what QH bars mean and how this relates to a warmblood's build.

Regarding the clinic, I did get copies of Buck's DVDs on Groundwork and the First Ride and am looking forward to going.

Thanks in advance for any advice you have for me.
Keeley

[FrancaV]

Welcome, Keeley!

No dumb questions here. I'd bet many an english rider contemplating colt starting at a Buck Brannaman clinic has asked the same questions.

I'm not sure why you were told to look for a Wade tree saddle. IMO, if you are the one who will be starting your own colt, the best saddle for you to use is one that you are comfortable and secure in, that fits your horse, and is built well enough not to fall apart on you. Have you ridden in western saddles before? If so, were you comfortable? If not, will you have time to get comfortable in a western saddle on another horse before the clinic? Maybe it's just me, but I would not dream of starting a colt using tack that was completely unfamiliar to me.

Wade saddles are good saddles, for sure. If you should decide this is the way you want to go, and your area doesn't have good tack shops with a decent selection of new and used Wade saddles to try, I've heard nothing but good things about Brighton Feed and Saddlery. They have an excellent selection of Wade saddles in stock. Give them a call, tell them what you're looking for, and ask all of your questions. Info here:

http://www.brightonsaddlery.com/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=375

But ... there are other western saddles that have deep seats and will allow you to sit in a balanced position. Slick forks are actually not the most secure, which is why some people add bucking rolls and nightlatches to them for starting colts. I don't think Hanoverians typically have super high withers, but that's another consideration - Wades are working ranch saddles built to sit pretty low on the horse's back for roping and such. A saddle with a swell fork can be a better choice for a horse with high withers and it doesn't sound as though you will be roping anything any time soon. ;)

And guess what? Dressage saddles can also fit the bill for colt starting. Over the centuries many colts have been started in "english" saddles - yes, it's even been done at Buck Brannaman and Ray Hunt clinics! If the rider has a solid independent seat and the horse is properly prepared for that first ride, it really doesn't matter if it's a western saddle or not. Don't get me wrong - I love my western saddle! But I decided early on that a western saddle was right for the sort of riding I planned to do. You are a dressage rider; a western saddle may not be of longterm use to you.

Do you plan to start other colts in the future? Or do you plan to do a lot of trail riding? In that case, a western saddle could be a good investment. If not, it may not make sense to try to buy a Wade saddle, especially in the relatively limited amount of time you have to find the right one. ($2,000 is not much for a good Wade saddle - you would likely spend more.) If you are an experienced rider and your dressage saddle feels like "home" to you, I'd say go ahead and use it. If, however, you really would like to use some type of western saddle to start your colt, can you borrow one? (One that fits.) If you need to buy one either from a tack shop or a private party, make sure you can try it before you buy it. An ill-fitting (for the horse) and uncomfortable (for you) western saddle is not going to serve you any better than your dressage saddle would.

Just my initial thoughts - others here may have completely different views on the situation, and I hope they will chime in. In any case, good luck, and have a fantastic time at the clinic. Do keep us posted!

[Sue]

Keeley, Franca stole my thunder. ;) But her advice is right on. Get a saddle you like, one you feel secure in. A dressage saddle is a pretty deep seat, and if thats what you're comfortable in... well... Another consideration is that a western saddle might better handle the abuse that comes with starting colts. If yon bronco really comes apart, the irons would be going everywhere, it could be attacked by the round pen wall, another colt crashing into it, who knows? I am a freak here who likes my cutting saddle for starting colts... in fact, riding in general... BECAUSE of the seat. My warped mind thinks rather fondly of being able to get around in a saddle (i.e., room to move in case of BIG moves from the horse) rather than deep seated security.

That probably doesn't help, lol...

[FrancaV]

Another consideration is that a western saddle might better handle the abuse that comes with starting colts. If yon bronco really comes apart, the irons would be going everywhere, it could be attacked by the round pen wall, another colt crashing into it, who knows?Good point. Stuff happens even when you think you've done all possible "homework".

My warped mind thinks rather fondly of being able to get around in a saddle (i.e., room to move in case of BIG moves from the horse) rather than deep seated security.I'm with you there. I don't like feeling squashed into a saddle, nor would I want to feel "velcroed" to it. A little suede on the seat is fine but I personally don't care for roughout saddles. If I wear my chinks it's for putting a little more distance between my legs and anything that might scrape, rub, stab or tear right through my jeans, not for extra grip.

[keeley]

Thanks Franca and Sue! I do think I would prefer a western saddle for several of the reasons you both mentioned... firstly, if there are any shenanigans, I'd rather not trash my dressage saddle. We'll need that later! And secondly, I just think I would prefer riding in a western saddle that first year on the trails, for comfort and security. This is the first youngster I've started (and plan to get lots of good help) and will probably breed my mare again in a few years so may have another young one at some point. So the saddle will get some use but not heavy use.

Can either of you suggest a particular brand or style that might work best in a little more reasonable price range? My youngster does have a decent wither so something that would fit well. A friend of a friend put several of his saddles on my colt and the one that seemed to fit best was what he called a #2 Mccall. What are the differences in the trees on some of the saddles advertised, ralide, afork, etc? Thanks again for all your help and bearing with me!!
Keeley

[Titania]

Brighton has a large stock of used saddles or just go to your local tack shop. You don't really need a wade. I don't use one, just have an old circle Y and some leather saddle with no name. They fit me and my horses. they do just fine for my needs.

For your purposes, we've even used synthetic saddles. Big horn is pretty reasonableand is able to take a beating. My BM has two black bighorns that he uses (two different size trees) and best thing is, when they get a little dirty you can just hose them off. You aren't looking to do a job in these saddles so just make sure you and the horse are comfortable.

Honestly though I prefer leather to synthetic. But you are going to pay more. Stay away from flex trees and cheap painted leather saddles. Make sure whatever saddle you get it doesn't put you in a chair seat. You want the stirrups to hang directly under you not out in front. For example - Tuckers b/c they are mostly trail saddles tend to have their stirrups a bit more fwd than others would.

Hope this helps...

[KnightRider]

Someone had mentioned Brighton Feed and I would recommend giving them a call. They have a selection of used saddles and might have something to fit your needs. Their annual saddle sale is over (early July, I think), but maybe they still have a selection available.

As far as other options, an Older Circle Y saddle might work. The newer stuff is crap, but if you can find one made in maybe the 1970's in decent condition, they can make a good using saddle. There are a few other brands of older saddles that might work out for you, but I can't remember the brands off hand.

Also, I don't know how tall you are, but if you are short you may need to consider getting the fenders trimmed down on whatever saddle you buy so the stirrups hand better for you. I didn't realize how much of a difference this could make until I got the fenders on my McCall shortened.

Good Luck in getting that youngster started!

KR

[ponygirl]

some great advice here...
my two cents... i've got two wade tree saddles and love them. that being said i almost never start colts in them because i like the flexibility and room of a saddle with a more shallow seat and low cantle so i can move around up there and jump off with ease if i really need to. also i don't want a colt tearing around with one of my expensive wades on him if things get a bit western. i've also got steel and brass stirrups on the wades. i prefer a leather or rawhide stirrup on the training saddle so they don't bang around so much (like i think Sue mentioned)
right now im using an old simco trail saddle for the first 30 rides or so. its got a shallow seat and a bit of a swell fork, its much lighter than my wades and can take a beating. paid $350 for it and it's served me well. old cutting saddles are nice too and you can get some good quailty there. after starting colts in english saddles for quite a few years i do prefer a western seat to get the job done, but i don't think you'll need a $2500 McCall necessarily. just look for something that fits your colt, fits you and is made decently. good luck!!

[Sue]

i've also got steel and brass stirrups on the wades. i prefer a leather or rawhide stirrup on the training saddle so they don't bang around so much

My cutter that I start colts in has steel oxbows on it. They can really crack a horse on the elbow. Looks like it smarts.

Speaking of cutters... I think mine has reached the end of the trail. It even needs to be retired from the colt starting category. If saddles could tell stories... that one would be that old drunk in the bar that JUST WON'T STOP.

[keeley]

Thanks everyone for the really great suggestions and advice. I really appreciate all your help!
Keeley