Saddles are the most important, and expensive, pieces of horse tack you will purchase.  The saddle determines a great deal of what your horse ride is like, thus making it so important. So here are some guidelines for the next time you are looking for a saddle.

First you want to do your research. Research will involve knowing all the brands available, in the price range you are looking for.   You should also research types.  Research the best place to purchase as well.

For instance, some people like to do their research by shopping in brick and mortar stores and then buy online to find the best price.  Other people will do the opposite and research online, but then go to local stores to purchase.  But there are always some folks who don’t live in close proximity to a good supply store, and for them, the internet is their sole method for researching and merchandising.

Because saddles are so expensive, they are also an investment: you will get what you pay for.  Typically the more expensive brands will last longer and will hold their value longer.  If you’ve owned a high quality saddle before, you may have experienced reselling your saddle after it’s served your purposes and you are ready for a new or newer saddle.

But what about purchasing a used saddle in the first place? If you choose to purchase a used saddle, your research will need to include a thorough inspection before buying.  A used saddle’s leather, saddletree, and exterior should be examined before you buy. All western wear and horse tack should be high quality if you want it to last for the long haul.

You can buy directly from a saddle owner, or you can purchase from a used selection in a horse tack supply store. Buying from a used selection in a supply store will take a lot of the inspection responsibility off the buyer, since resellers scrutinize saddles in order to price them for resell. However, there is a price to pay; a resell shop will also add in their price markup to make a profit.  But it may be worth the money, if you are buying directly from a saddle owner, you will have to have a keen eye for blemishes and foundational problems to ensure you are buying a quality saddle.

After your research is done, and you’ve chosen to buy new or used, now you can begin to think about styles.  No matter if you are buying English wear or Western wear styles, you can find different types within those categories. Keep your personality in mind while exploring saddles.  Each rider and horse has their own individual western wear preferences, so make sure to tailor your saddle to fit your unique style.

Finally, now that you’ve researched and selected your saddle, you can add finishing touches to your horse tack.  Saddle accessories are available to complement your western wear and to complete your entire outfit.  This is an important step if showing your individuality is important.  Saddle accessories can even give you and your horse a little extra flair that can go a long way in building a confident, happy riding team.