A saddle is one of the most essential pieces of gear in horse riding. Not only does it offer safety and comfort but also keeps the rider balanced so they are able to control the horse properly.
If you recently purchased a horse, chances are you are in the market for a new saddle and one of the questions you are probably asking yourself is, “How much is a horse saddle?”
We have answered this question here and shared a few extra tips that we think can help you land the perfect horse saddle. So, let’s dive right in!
Understanding the Pricing of Horse Saddles
To be able to address the above question, we have to first understand how horse saddles are priced.
For the most part, the cost of saddles will be determined by their quality, which will typically be determined by the brand of the saddles, materials used to create them, and their aesthetic appearance.
Like anything else on the market, high-quality saddles will often cost you more than low-quality ones. However, the most important factor to consider when buying your horse saddle is fit and comfort.
Just because a saddle is labeled a higher price doesn’t always mean it will fit properly and offer you the comfort you seek. You may come across a decent saddle that perfectly fits the horse and comes with a lower price tag, and it’s also possible to find an expensive saddle that is uncomfortable or made from low-quality leather.
What we are simply saying is that you should not just buy a highly-priced horse saddle because it is supposedly high-quality. Try the saddle on your horse first and see whether it fits. It would help to ride in it too, to see how both you and your equine like it. To properly fit a horse saddle, watch this video.
How Much Does a Horse Saddle Cost?
On average, a horse saddle will cost around $500. But as we just stated, the price of horse saddles is influenced by many factors, thus it can vary greatly from one saddle to another.
While some saddles will cost as low as $100, others can go up to $ 8, 000 or more. Let’s break down these prices for you.
$100-$500 (Inexpensive Saddles)
If you are on a budget or looking for something to serve you just for a few years, these horse saddles could be a good place to start.
However, saddles in this price range are usually made of synthetic material or leather that is of much lower quality. Also, not much attention is paid to their construction, hence, most of them may not properly fit on horses or offer the comfort needed to keep the rider safe.
Cheap saddles will often put you in wrong or awkward riding positions like the chair seat, which forces you to work the lumbar muscles more than they should. With continued use of such paddles, you impair these muscles, and over time, you will have trouble achieving the right riding posture.
Also, because these saddles are made from lower-quality materials, they usually don’t last any longer than four years. In other words, if you are looking for something that will serve you for a long time, anything in this price range will be a disappointment.
$600-$2, 000 (Mid-Priced Saddles)
Most saddles that fall under this price range are usually decent enough to serve you for many years. The material used in construction is still leather or synthetic, but typically better quality.
While the majority of the cheaper saddles will last for about 10 to 15 years, those with a higher price tag are usually made of pure leather and can last up to 30 years.
Unlike their cheaper counterparts, mid-priced saddles have a better, stronger structure and a higher quality fit that offers incredible comfort both for you and the horse.
A wide range of English saddles will be in this price category and will often offer a system where you can adjust the width of the saddle to fit horses of different sizes or to accommodate the size and shape of your equine as they grow.
These saddles will typically fit any horse and offer relatively good comfort. However, if your horse is difficult to fit, you may want to get a saddle that is custom-made.
$2, 100 Onwards (High-Quality Saddles)
If you have the money, these saddles will be an investment worth making. The material used here is top-quality leather that can last anywhere from 35 to 50 years.
The highly-priced ones are usually made from full-grain, crazy horse leather and are the most durable. The craftsmanship is good and demonstrates the utmost quality and attention to detail. You will also enjoy the highest level of comfort, which will result in safer and more enjoyable rides.
Most of the saddles will come in different sizes for the horse and the rider, but if you can’t get a size that fits, you can always have your saddle tailor-made for you. Some sellers will even have saddle fitters who will come and measure your horse for the perfect fit.
What Should You Look For When Buying a Horse Saddle?
For safety, comfort, and durability, go for the best saddle that you can afford. High-quality saddles will usually be made from fine, full-grain leather that has very small pores and will feel smooth and supple. Lower quality saddles, on the other hand, will have visible rough pores and will feel more like cardboard.
Don’t let those fancy carving and overelaborate silver accents especially in Western saddles fool you and keep you from paying attention to the quality of the material. Do your research beforehand and know what you are going to buy. Otherwise, you may end up getting focusing more on the fancy fittings and forget the most important part which is the leather.
Tips For Buying a Horse Saddle
Set a Budget
Before you go, make sure you have a rough figure in mind of the amount of money you are willing to spend on your saddle. Once you get to the saddle shop, openly talk to the salesperson about your budget and ask them to show you a quality saddle for the price.
Also, keep in mind that most saddles won’t come with girths, stirrups, and cinches, so all of these could be extra expenses.
Look for the Fairest Price
No matter how much something costs, most salespersons will almost always tell you they are giving you the best deal. Do your research before making the purchase so you don’t fall for such tricks.
A great place to find the current price of the saddle you wish to buy is online. But you can also visit other saddle shops and compare prices. You may ask other riders or horse owners where they purchase high-end saddles at a good price too.
Buy From a Trustworthy Seller
There is a reason why you should purchase your horse saddles from a reputable shop. For starters, such retailers will usually give you a trial period so you can check whether the saddle fits you and your horse properly.
A trustworthy seller will also have a return/exchange policy in place so you can take the saddle back if it doesn’t fit.
Avoid dealing with saddle retailers who refuse to give you a trial period or who are not willing to share information about the materials used to design the saddle.
Decide Which Material You Want for Your Saddle
Wood and metal are the most commonly used base materials in the construction of saddles. These are carefully shaped and covered with synthetic material or leather to give you a comfortable seat on your horse’s back.
When buying a saddle, be sure to find out what materials have been used and how they affect its lifespan. Saddles made from synthetic materials will save you money but won’t be as durable as those made from full-grain or top-grain leather.
Choose a Saddle That Matches Your Horse’s Build
Don’t just pick a saddle because it’s beautiful; think about the size and build of your horse. If you have a pony or a relatively young horse, consider getting something lighter and smaller. Larger horses can easily handle heavier saddles.
If you plan on using one saddle for all your horses, get a saddle that allows you to adjust its width. Alternatively, buy a saddle that accommodates the largest horse and add padding when using it on the smaller horses.
The Takeaway
Because saddles come in different shapes and sizes, they also vary in price. High-quality leather saddles will be priced higher than their low-quality synthetic counterparts but will offer more comfort and will last for many years.
Go for a saddle that fits properly and makes the rides comfortable both for you and your horse. And before you make your purchase, do your homework to know where to get the best prices, what materials make your saddle, and whether the retailer has a return/exchange policy in case the saddle doesn’t fit.
