The Downside Of Used Gaited Horse Saddles

Gaited horse aficionados recognize the importance of owning the right saddles for their animals. These horses are often competitively exhibited, requiring attractive tack. The unique build of the horses and the need for a lightweight, communicative saddle can make saddles quite expensive, especially when one considers the fact that many are custom-made. This can lead those working on a budget or looking for a bargain to consider used gaited horse saddles.
So are they a good idea? At first glance, they would appear to be a wonderful alternative to over-spending. After all, used saddles are often available at a fraction of the cost associated with a new custom made saddle. However, there is a significant downside to buying used gaited horse saddles. Let's look at few things that may lead you to look for a new option instead of scouring classified ads for a used alternative.
First, these horses vary a great deal in terms of size. A used saddle may not fit your horse properly. You'll want to measure your horse's width at the center point of the back and then check any used saddles against that measurement. If the size isn't right, the saddle will fit poorly. That's a problem because it will decrease communication between the rider and horse, negatively impact performance due to horse discomfort and can actually create a dangerous situation due to the already-precarious placement of the saddles.
Second, used gaited horse saddles may not be a good aesthetic fit for the buyer. Many of these saddles are custom-built with competition in mind. Any horse person can tell you that quality presentation is a major part of competition and that riders take appearances seriously. As such, you'll find gaited horse saddles in many different designs featuring a range of ornamentations. While used gaited horse saddles may have been produced with the tastes of the original owner in mind, it can be hard to find used options that will appeal to the individual purchaser.
Third, anyone looking at used saddles will need to be mindful of the rider's size and weight. The saddles are made with those factors in mind. It can be hard to find used gaited horse saddles that will fit the new rider properly. If the saddle doesn't fit well, it's hard to succeed in competition. It makes riding harder and increases the risk of a mishap.
Any of those three concerns can make it hard to find the right used saddles. When you add all three of them together, you can begin to sense how difficult it would be to find the right saddle. You'd probably need to consider a large assortment of saddles in order to find just one that matched the horse's size, the rider's aesthetic preferences and the rider's size.
Used gaited horse saddles appear to be a good idea at first glance, but when one considers the matter more carefully, it becomes apparent that buying new may be a superior option.



However with the proper research and time invested you may be able to find used gaited horse saddles that fit both the horse and rider. Check out our website at GaitedHorseSaddles.net for a selection of new and used gaited horse saddles.