Saddles

Please note that I do sell saddles online, but by far prefer to be able to attend the horse and rider and do a saddle fitting consulation to ensure that both horse and rider are happy and comfortable. I cannot express enough how VITAL it is for the horses' comfort and well-being (and ultimately rider safety) that the saddle fits properly. Please see my saddle fitting page for further information.

Above is the menu of saddles that is available from The Western Saddler. All the names above are western style saddles except for the HM Vogue, Iberica & Fhoenix which are either english or Portuguese style, soft-treed flexible saddles available as GP, dressage and the new Iberica model.

Please click here for details on saddle care, turning out stirrups and stopping saddle squeak.

The range of saddles are as follows:

The Pullman range of saddles are of the highest quality. The saddles are handcrafted by the most renowned saddlemakers in Europe and the USA. Many are made on behalf of top riders and competitors to their specifications. The materials used are the best - Grade A Herman-Oak leather, New Zealand Wool, highest quality saddle trees and hand engraved silver accents. They are built on either an Equiflex tree or the wood and rawhide tree, and come with a 30 year guarantee on the whole saddle. They can be fully customised to your tastes and usually take 12 weeks to make, as each one is individually hand-made upon ordering.

The Equiflex range of saddles are very well made with very good quality materials and a 10 year guarantee on the whole saddle. The Equiflex trees flex a little more than a wood covered with rawhide tree but weigh much less. The Equiflex tree is made of Hi-Tech elastomere material. They do not over flex (a common concern with flexible treed saddles). They allow the horse a certain freedom of movement. There will be a video uploaded soon demonstrating the gentle flexibility of the Equiflex tree. Again these can be customised for a small charge and a small delay.

The Continental Classic range of saddles are the Classic Line by Continental Saddlery. They are saddles of the highest quality with hand-made wood-fibreglass or wood-bullhide trees. They come with a 5 year guarantee.

The Continental range of saddles are high-quality saddles with wooden or Ralide trees. They come with a 5 year guarantee and are hand carved and with a hand-stitched cantle. The Ralide tree has a limited amount of flexibility. If fitted well, they can be very comfortable for the horse, but they must fit very well. They are made by Continental Saddlery. The Equiflex tree is much better for the horse if you can financially stretch to the price.

The Montana range of saddles are very well made, are a very good budget range which offer excellent value for money. They come with a 1 year guarantee and are built on the Ralide tree. The Ralide tree has a limited amount of flexibility. If fitted well, they can be very comfortable for the horse, but they must fit very well. They are made by Continental Saddlery. The Equiflex tree is much better for the horse if you can financially stretch to the price.

The Barefoot range of saddles are treeless and can be great for all horses but especially for young horses changing shape and horses with mucle atrophy that need the space to 'develop'. They are also good for people who have back problems as the lack of solid tree prevents jarring. They do two different price ranges - a cheaper range which is a great work saddle or starter saddle, or one for people on a strict budget, and a more expensive, conventional-looking tooled western saddle. When used with the recommended pads and pressure-tested to ensure even weight distribution - these can prove to be a great alternative to a more expensive treed saddle.

The Heather Moffett saddles contain a 'soft-tree' made of leather. The saddles are hand-made in England and are made from good quality italian leather. Many people report that Heather's saddles are the most comfortable ever sat on. They allow for changes in shape if the horse is growing or has atrophy. They also make a brilliant second saddle if you ride predominently western, but want to have an english saddle too, as you would not have to worry about refitting and reflocking. These saddles also allow you to assume the perfect shoulder, hip, heel alignment. There are two different ranges offered - the Fhoenix and the Vogue. The Vogue is better for colder climates as the seat is made form latex so is automatically soft all the time.