Finding a cheap...but good quality western leather saddle...?

I would get a nice high-quality used saddle. I know you said you don't want one, but you'll get a much better deal out of it, and a much nicer saddle. And used doesn't mean abused, it actually means "broken in, comfortable and resaleable" A cheap western saddle isn't going to be nearly as nice as a used one for the same price. I would check out ebay, and local tack stores, there's lots of new looking used saddles that can be found.

I purchased a new barrel racing saddle made by Guffey Saddlery for $500, not "cheap" but you can easily pay 3 times that for a quality western saddle. I purchased it from a guy I know who is a tack dealer in Georgia over a year ago and I LOVE it! It is decent quality (not the best but I've seen lots worse) it has rough out jockeys and fenders and a suede seat for real good stick in the saddle. I purchased it while my young horse was at the trainers getting trained under saddle and wanted something with the rough out so if he got frisky It would help me stay in the saddle and it works beautifully! It is also very comfortable and after a year of hard use it is still in perfect condition. I expect to get many more years of use out of it. They don't have a website that I can find but I guess you can call them and see if they have a catalog they can send you.

Guffey Saddlery

2268 Brow Rd

Trenton , GA 30752

Phone: 706-657-6290

i just purchased an Alamo western pleasure. i paid $1500 AUD and then i looked on the U.S website and they are about $1100 USD,. They are a really well built saddle and very comfy. Check out their website. Oh and i agree with most, stay away from anything cheap and nasty, i bought a cheap stock saddle once, and had to unsaddle in the middle of the ride because the "tin" tree yes i said tin tree cracked and was sticking out right above my horses wither. So bareback it was for the next 6 mths.!

What are you considering cheap? A new $250.00 saddle is not worth a $1.00. Some of the better less expensive brands are Dakota, Corriente, Santa Fa. The Corriente brand are actually really nice made saddles. A used saddle will already be broke in and you could find a nice one worth the money.

Finding a person who is getting out of horses, or hard up for $$ is about the only way to get NICE quality cheap. Keep your peepers open, visit the sale barns. (Stay away from the new, pretty, cheapos with cardboard trees....)

Ebay and tacktrader.com are both good places to look, too.

Like someone else said... Leather is expensive and buying it cheap is really not a good thing to do.

I have a nylon (synthetic) saddle and that thing is so comfortable its crazy... Its also easy to clean and it really takes a beating. Really good for training with.

Look on tacktrader.com, Craigslist.com, Ebay.com and places like that to find a better quality saddle for a cheaper price.

Cheap and good quality do not equate(oxymoron). Leather is expensive; don't sell yourself short with an inferior product. You have to rely on that saddle not to fall apart on you. Or break at an inopportune moment.

http://www.pfiwestern.com/pfi/western.wear/dept.ht...

http://www.horse.com/products/sku-WKA41__dept-15.h...

statelinetack.com