second hand leather saddles

[loubylou]

I have decided to sell 2 of my saddles and invest in something a bit nicer for Uva- hopefully a fairly decent second hand leather saddle.
I am looking to purchase a saddle on ebay or similar, and get our local master saddler out to reflock and adjust it, but am not 100% sure what to go for- I can remember a post on the old forum about leather saddles that are the most adjustable by saddlers, but cant remember for the life of me which ones are!

Can anyone enlighten me- I want a reasonable priced second hand saddle that I can get adjusted to fit Uva.

PS I dont like synthetic saddles, and this is the reason I am selling the 2 I have to get a leather!!!

[CityLights]

Saddle Co saddles are esily adjusted by most saddlers but they tend to be, but not always synthetic underneath with serge pannels and leather on top, which makes them very light, Kents and masters are also adjustable as are Bates, if you ring up your saddler though they may be able to teall you a few makes that they can adjust easily and have had expereince with, Keiffers can be adjusted but my saddler wont touch them as a saddler she used to work for snapped one, so although there are a few makes out there that can be adjusted your saddler might not have the right tools or have expereince with them

I am trying to sell my saddle Co but i think it might be too long for Uva it is a 18inch jump if you are interested PM me but its brand new so pricey still

[loubylou]

Ive been looking at the saddle company saddles- the one you have is unfortunately too long :( Such a shame! I need a 17 or 17.5. Also I dont have a 'saddle company' saddler locally, will have to have an ask around and find out if the local saddlers have the equipment to do them!

However would be interested to hear your views on them if you dont mind? I am undecided about the serge panels- I just cant imagine they are that hard wearing??

I hate the bates saddles, and have considered a kent and masters, but they are not available secondhand, and would rather spend less than the £650 price tag if poss :)

[CityLights]

i dont like bates either

you tend to use a saddle cloth anyway so serge lasts probably just as long as leather pannles and is also cheaper to replace if it did need it, its nice as it is softer and warms up quicker on the horses back my saddler says she would always prefer for her own horse a saddle with serge in it

[My Crazy Clan]

What size are the 2 your selling?

[loubylou]

Im selling a Wide Leather Collegiate- its too wide for Uva, and a Wintec 2000 with a medium wide gullet in it because I really really dont like it! Both are 17.5" and black. Both are almost new so am hoping to get £200 each for them *fingers crossed* and dropped them into the saddlery today for them to sell on my behalf (have advertised elsewhere too so fingers crossed one of us will sell them!!)

S&W have contacted The Saddle Company to see who is nearest to me with regards to fitting, and am keeping an eye on ebay for one!

Anyone else know of any other saddles or own a saddle company saddle so can comment on them!!

[My Crazy Clan]

Miles too big for my lad :(

[silverbullet]

I'm selling my 17" MW eventing saddle.

I had it made to measure for Basil but as he doesn't event anymore and has got fatter it doesn't fit him any more.

You can PM me if you're interested.

[lilholley]

I have a Saddle Co saddle and I rate them very highly. Bella's one was originally bought for Blossie 4 years ago and is still going strong. I'm really cross with myself because I led her under some low brambles a few weeks ago and scratched the cantle - grr! The serge is lovely and I've had no trouble with it wearing too quickly, though it does get hairs stuck in it. They're so light weight and can be adjusted to whatever width you want rather than just wide, medium-wide etc. Also the serge is meant to mould to the horses back.

You do need a saddle company saddler to adjust it - they have this weird machine that looks like a vice. But if there isn't one near I think you can send tracings of your horse's back profile and they will adjust it for you at the workshop.

Best pic I can find of Bellas:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/holleyjukes/sept%2009/090908011.jpg

[CityLights]

if you wanted a jump saddle Co saddle i think mine is the valencia or something like that i think, it is HUGELY forwards cut im like 5'10/11 and can ride like jokey lenght and my legs still fit in whcih i have never been able to do with any other saddle, the blocks are also moveable

[loubylou]

Thanks for the pic and info!
I am really after a GP as want to do a bit of everything in it, am also only 5ft6 with short legs, so would prob be lost in a big jump saddle!

Am still waiting to hear back from them, but the fact there isnt anyone local is putting me off at the moment :(

[OzzieWelshie]

I have a saddle company saddle with serge! Its the only saddle I have ever had on my horse so cant really compare it to others. The serge seems heardwearing and has moulded to his body shape nicely. Its a lot easier aswell as the saddler can adjust the flocking through the serge with a pointy screw driver type tool, sorry dont know what its called!! She has also adjusted it for me as my horse has developed muscle and its really quick and easy for the saddler to do on the yard.
The only thing I would say about them, and its difficult to explain, but basically when mine had to be reflocked (various reasons including horse not being happy) she saddler found "lumps" where some stitching was I didnt see it for myself so im not 100% sure where these lumps are or how big they were. My horse has a very sensitive back and we think this may have been what was upsetting him, so she kindly removed said lumps and now I have a much happier horse. She also said the majority of horses wouldnt have had an issue with them, but she would no longer feel comfortable selling a Saddle Co. saddle.
Now all the issues have been resolved I find it a lovely comfortable saddle, and Ozzie does too.
I thought I would also mention, my saddle is a full leather but you can also get half leather half synthetic which are leather on the outside, and synthetic on the inside therefore its much lighter and cheaper :)
Hope thats a little help!