I know, everyone's got their favorite brand saddle. I do too. But my problem is I can't afford to spend a whole lot this time. I am looking for an everyday western saddle for my daughter. She doesn't do barrels or roping, or reining - she mostly trail rides. But she does like the fit and security of a barrel-style saddle, with a high cantle and pommel. Roughout is great too.

So I am looking for suggested brands to consider, that would run me $500 or less new or used.

 Thanks for any suggestions.

Oh, and it's not like I can run down to my local saddle shop and try some out. We have one store that sells saddles, and the pickin's are slim! It's not really a tack shop, it's a grain store that happens to stock some tack. The closest place to go try a few out is a 3.5 hour drive one way. So I will likely have to order something online.

circle y make a few good saddle that are  not to pricey

Circle Y's are definitely something I would consider. My friend has one and she loves it. I am watching a few on EBAY but the prices keep going over my limit.

This is what I like about this forum! People from all over. I'd never heard of a Corriente and I'd be surprised to find anyway within 300 miles of me who owned one, let alone heard of it either. I saw a few on eBay and then visited the website. This might be a very strong possibility - it would be great if I could find the right used one.

There are a lot of good saddles out there.  But you need one that fits.

I would look at a brand that will allow you to try and return a saddle. Problem is the shipping cost. By time you pay to ship it out and return it, you've spent $50 in shipping cost. You can't afford to try many.

Colorado Saddlery makes a good saddle. I think they are still made at the prison in Florence CO.  I see lots of them here in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. They hold up well.

The other option is pick a saddle that has some type of adjustments built in. Specialized Saddle in Texas. Their saddles have shims that allow you to adjust to fit a wide range of horses. They focus on light endurance saddles, not heavy roping saddles. But they offer them in several styles, including western  and english looks. Since they are designed to be light weight for endurance riding, they don't have the heavy leather, tooling etc. But they are comfortable, have lots of places to tie on stuff for a trail ride.

http://www.specializedsaddles.com/new/

Well, if you have to shop online, also look at the saddles at libertyville saddle shop.

I bought mine for my Arab mare several years ago, and it is both fairly lite weight, and quite well made. I bought the "LSS" brand from them. Very nice finish and nice seat, western endurance style, with comfortable feel. I'll include our picture of it on my girl.

Just my 2C's of course..Steve

 I found a good used Dakota brand barrel saddle at a tack shop here. My girls both used it for their game horse, fit him great, and it also fits the rest of our horses. I loved it because of the high cantle and beartrap swells. Kept my girls "in" the saddle. I have trail ridden in it for years. Most comfortable saddle, and we ride rough territory, 8-10 hours at a pop. . Never been pitched out of this saddle, even when my paint stumbled and fell going downhill. It's a good,solid little saddle, for the money. If you want to spend a little more, try a Tucker trail saddle, about 1200, but very nice, try a  high backed one. Lots of trail riders have them and love 'em.(especially  us "over 40 and still ridin" crowd!!)

Lots of good ideas here. I am also checking into Royal King saddles  - but I can't seem to find the manufacturers website or contact info. One retailer said it's an import and they were not "Allowed" to give out that information. That made me a little concerned. However a friend has a training/show stable and swears by their roughout training saddle with the flex tree. She has several of them.

I am also considering a Rider's Choice saddle which can be purchased new for $400 with shipping - flex tree, roughout, barrel saddle with quarter bars. The manufacturer said they actually make these for other companies, such as Simco. He said that they probably made the Simco that my daughter has now and loves (except that it's too small for her now)

Any comments on these two brands? 

just read your post on saddles,have several Dakota roping saddles we trail ride with.Very good saddles for the price(around $650 new) But my favorite is Tucker,you can ride all day and not even know you have been in the saddle they are a little $$$$$ 1,300-2,200 new. but have seen several nice used ones for $400 to$500. not sure why anyone would sell them. Country supply has nice looking trail saddles from $200 and up. www.horse.com

Check ebay! Just type in the seat size, ie. 15", 15.5", 16". You cant go wrong with a Circle Y, they hold their value so when she moves on to the next saddle, you can sell that one. Off brands don't have much of a resale value. I have sold several Circle Y's, and bought a few too in that price range! Good luck!

I've owned a Colorado saddle before and really loved it but it was too narrow for my horse.  I currently have a Dakota saddle that fits my horse and me both and I feel the price is reasonable.

Try tacktrader.com

Ever considered going with a synthetic?  Wintec & Abetta are pretty good considering the great price for a new one.  I know many that have had both brands and loved them.  A farm I worked for many years ago purchase a group of the Abetta western saddles gosh back in '96, they used them for lessons, beach rides, trail rides, parades, at the games, ... and they are still using them today and just considering purchasing new saddles.  I have only owned jumping and dressage saddles but wanted a roomy saddle to ride in with my 2 yr-old daughter and purchased the Abetta endurance.  So far I am very pleased with the saddle.  I purchased my Abetta online from http://www.buyabetta.com/.  They were very helpful with saddle fitting too!  Good luck!

Circle Y has saddles that are made well and last a long time. The Tucker saddles are so comfortable and made really well also. If your daughter is young and still growing I would buy a used one, then when she's grown you could spend the money on one that she can keep. I have bought saddles off of e-bay was very pleased with the transaction.

Good Luck !!!!  

We ride Big Horn saddles.  We have put 100s of trail miles on them and have been very happy.  You can buy a new one under $500.  I haven't checked, but maybe they have a website.  You may be able to order online.

RIDE ON!

Try   www.horsesaddleshop.com   or   www.bufordsaddle.com   both sites had several saddles under $500.   I recommend the cordura...it is light weight and can be hosed off when you get in the mud.

RIDE ON!