A New Age of Saddle Purchases
These days you can buy just about anything online. Think about it, from glasses to mattresses, things you’d traditionally have to visit a brick and mortar location to purchase are now available at the click of a button.
Saddles are no exception. You can find a wide range of tack online for reasonable prices. Don’t get us wrong, there are several factors you need to take into consideration when buying your saddle via a website. That being said, there are also many advantages to making this type of purchase.
The Advantages of Buying Your Saddle Online
In today’s day and age, buying saddles is surprisingly easy. While some people may be hesitant to make such a large and important purchase online, there are many advantages to doing so!
Wide Range of Options
Have you found that your local tack store doesn’t have the saddle options you’re looking for? If you want a unique type of saddle, you may not be able to find it in you or your horse’s size. Supply chain issues from COVID and more also mean your local store may restock more slowly. If you need a saddle quickly, an online tack store may be the way to go.
There are SO many saddles available online. Physical tack stores only carry so many brands, sizes, and colors. Online you can find every saddle you could dream of, plus some more.
Don’t Need to Visit the Tack Store
For some of us, it’s difficult to even get to the tack store. Some of the members of the Offbeat Equestrian team have lived in locations where the nearest tack store is over an hour away, and even then it’s tiny with a small selection of saddles.
Shopping via the web means you don’t have to live close to a tack store in order to have an amazing selection available.
Test Ride Programs
If the idea of buying a saddle online scares you, you’re certainly not alone! After all, a saddle is a big investment. The wrong fit has the potential to annoy or even hurt your horse and throw off your riding.
Thankfully, many online tack stores now offer test ride options. These are a great way to try out a saddle and see if it’s the right fit for you and your horse. These trial periods normally last from three to five days.
Free Shipping (and Returns)
Another perk of buying your saddle online? Free shipping! Many tack stores offer free shipping for these types or purchases, so you don’t have to worry about paying an additional fee. Several sites also offer free returns, too. This gives you peace of mind when buying your saddle. If it doesn’t fit, you can return it.
Sometimes you can also find discount codes to apply to your purchases to bring the final price down even further.
Where to Buy a Saddle Online
If you’re new to buying saddles online, there are a few ways to do it. In some cases, you might want a brand new saddle. If you’re on a budget and are highly flexible, buying a used saddle may be for you.
New Saddles
Looking for a shiny new saddle online? There are many options available to you. Sites like SmartPak, Dover, and State Line Tack are popular choices. Shipping policies and trial periods vary by site, so make sure to do your research.
Used Saddles
If you’d rather buy a used saddle online, check local listings like Craigslist. Another great option is to join a Facebook horse and pony group specific to your area, or browse Facebook Marketplace for deals.
Make sure you purchase a saddle from a reputable source. Ideally, you should have a phone conversation before looking at the saddle to ensure it’s a real sale and not a scam. If you meet up in person, bring a friend and try to meet in a public place. Better safe than sorry!
Before meeting ask for additional photos, preferably with a measuring tape so you can confirm the sizing. Here’s a list of questions to ask to help if you’re considering a saddle online:
- How old is the saddle?
- What did its care look like?
- How often was the saddle used?
- What type of tree does the saddle have?
- Have any physical changes been made?
Types of Saddles You Can Purchase Through Websites
If you’re looking for a saddle for a specific discipline, it’s hard to beat the variety of saddles you can find via the internet.
Buying Western Saddles Online
Are you a western rider? No matter your event of choice, you can find something to suit your (and your horse’s) needs. Options include:
- Trail saddles
- Endurance saddles
- Roping saddles
- Reining saddles
- Barrel saddles
- Western pleasure saddles
Buying English Saddles Online
Looking for your next english saddle? The internet makes it easy! Here are a few examples of english saddles you can find online:
- Dressage saddles
- Hunter jumper saddles
- Eventing saddles
- All purpose saddles
- English pleasure saddles
- Show saddles
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Horse Saddles Online
Still have questions about purchasing a saddle for your horse? We have answers! Here are a few of the most common questions:
Is it safe to buy my saddle online?
If you take all the precautions necessary and buy your saddle from a reputable source (especially if they have a trial period), then yes, it’s safe to make your saddle purchase online.
How do I make sure I’m getting the best saddle?
Cheap, poorly made saddles are not your best option. If you want the best saddle possible, you’ll need to purchase one that’s new. Make sure you have the correct measurements for you and your horse, and consider any other saddles you’ve used. What material were they made of? What did you like or dislike about them?
How do I know if the saddle I order will fit me and my horse?
Take your measurements and your horse’s. If you have a trainer or experienced horse person who can help you, you can make sure they’re as accurate as possible.
Your best option is usually to use a trial period through an established online tack store.
How much does an online horse saddle cost?
Saddle prices vary. They normally range from $200 up to $8,000. We wouldn’t recommend going for one on the low end of the spectrum, since they’re often made of low quality materials that will get warped over time.