Does anyone have a saddle?

Does anyone know this saddle?

• I’m buying a saddle soon for my new horse, we already have one horse, but he came with a saddle, so this is the first I’ll ever have to buy. I don’t have much money, and I need to buy a few other things, like rugs, so I really won’t have much to spare. I know that the sort of saddle I buy depends on the horse, but basically I’m just after a normal, cheap all purpose saddle, that’s good quality. I don’t mind if it comes in a pack or not. This is the one that I was intending to buy, http://www.horseland.com.au/kincade-redi-ride-all-purpose-saddle.html does anyone know anyone with this saddle? Or what it’s like? On the website it has quite a few good reviews, but I just wanted to check. Also, does anyone know of any saddles that fit my descriptions that would be good? I’ve got plenty of time to look around, but it needs to be in Australia! Thanks so much! :)

• Answer:

  I answered a similar question last week about this saddle, here is what is "wrong with it" The construction of these saddles is horrible. Most of the time they aren't balanced correctly so you will hurt your horse's back. I know when they first came out in got to see the inside of the saddle and the flocking was appalling. There was a shredded baseball in the middle of the wool along with twigs and leaves and other trash. There are much better saddles out there that won't hurt your horse's back. As far as the reviews go, most of the time it is the manufacturer posting phony reviews trying to get people to but their product. I prefer using www.horsetackreview.com to check out saddle reviews. The only way you are going to find quality is by paying for it. The best thing for you to do is look for a second hand saddle if you are on a budget. Until you can afford a decent saddle, get a bareback pad, $39 and no injured back! If you want a synthetic, wintec and thorowgood are the way to go. Both offer saddles with adjustable gullets for a reasonable price. Wintec has the Cair panels which are good since they mold to the horse while you are riding, then go back to a normal shape allowing you to have a custom fit to each horse you ride. That along with the adjustable gullet makes these saddles well worth your money since you won’t have to buy a new saddle if your horse changed shape, and you can comfortably buy one used without the worry of needing to get the saddle re-flocked. i prefer the feel of the thorowgood saddles personally, but I have enjoyed the wintec as well. Just keep in mind, a cheap saddle will cost you more in the long run, between replacing tack and ruining your horse's back and muscular system, you end up saving money by purchasing a quality and more expensive saddle upfront. Vet bills and equine chiropractors aren't cheap...