Just want to know how many use the Synthetic Saddle and how it stands up to the Leather saddle. I know It is a lot lighter in weight easier to keep clean but is it comfortable enough for a trail ride, I have a older Leather Simco Saddle That I find very heavy for me and with the smooth seat, I find that I slide around way too much. also itn't very deep.
Would just like some opinions on Which is perfered or any problems with the Synthetic ones?

I have found that every horse whether english or western has had back issues, minor/major which resolved very quickly after changing to a leather saddle.
They are made of a rubber based synthetic- which creates heat=friction.
Although a cheaply made leather saddle can cause just as much damage.
My suggestion sit in as many different "good" saddles you can, tack stores[consignment/new] trainers, friends,auctions.
Then with a budget look @ consignment and ebay and other websites, here in fact.

I Had both a Cordura saddle and a good leather saddle. I loved my cordura, I used it on the young horses when I first start saddling them and get them use to the saddle before I move on to my leather one. I have gone on trail rides with my cordura and it was very comfortable for me and the horse. Cleans up easy from the mud and water, and I didn't have to worry about oiling it..My cordura had a rough out seat and it is great because I don't slip around at all. My leather has a slick seat and if I had the could change on thing about it I would have got it with a rough out seat. It is a little more work, (since it is so dry here). But it is a comfortable saddle also and it fits every horse that I have put it on so far. As far as the cordura saddle goes I have had it since 1995 and it is still in great shape, I actually just recently sold it for just under what I paid for it. You just need to make sure it is a good quality saddle and that it fits your horse well first. I use my leather one more now because I am doing more cow work and am starting to pony my filly so I needed the saddle that could handle having a rope dallied to it.

Codura style or synthetics are good for trails and pleasure riding but when it comes to work in the saddle I prefer my leather.

I think it truly depends on what and how you ride. I am not much on the newer "gel" seats. They tend to make me feel raised and leaning forward. Some folks like roughed out while others, like me, enjoy the hard seats. I have to agree with LTC4H, sit in as many saddles as you can. Additionally, if you know what you are looking for, you can sometimes pick up a good deal over the internet. BUT beware, some will sell you absolute junk that will only harm your horse(s).

We mostly have leather saddles. Many of our saddles are at least 20 years old or older. This is not to say that newer saddles are bad, I have just had better luck and quality from older saddles. My wife rides in a Big Horn synthetic and loves it. She also has a Fabtron, which is a combination of leather and synthetic. Of course, if you have a horse that is hard to fit, a treeless saddle may be the option.

Simco saddles are extremely heavy, we have 4 of them. I have an old pro that weighs roughly 40 pounds. A simple fix could be to simply purchase a roping or barrell saddle. I have roping saddles but feel trapped with the barrell. There are so many factors that can weigh on the selection of the right saddle for you and your horse.

With any saddle, care is the most important thing.

I also agree that it is partly what and how you ride. When I'm buying a saddle, I want to make sure first and formost that it's going to actually "fit" my horse's back as well as possible. I could name several friends/fellow horse lovers, including myself that has had problems in the past with saddle fitting. It's NOT fun to you or the horse if you end up with a poorly fitting saddle that makes your horse sore and hate your guts for buying him a saddle in the first place! (I've been there)

If I'm trail riding for a good handful of miles, training (first saddled horses), or swimming horseback, I like a nylon saddle (though I don't know of anyone's having luck with the cheaply made ones). True they are lightweight, and easy to clean.

For just about any other purpose, I prefer a good made leather saddle.

Well I wasn't really wanting to buy another leather saddle as I have 5 different ones already. two are old ones that have been reconditioned? That is sewn and leather bits replaced and new sheep skin lining. They are even heavier than my Simco. 2 small saddles for youths, I do have one other that does have more of a rough out seat, but it is pretty worn and would need fixin as well. I usually only ride around our 160 acre hobby farm or sometimes up and over to the neighbours 200+ acre hay field.. 2 hours tops.. But its hunting season right now so no riding......at least not off the property.

Synthetic saddle are lighter than their leather counterparts. Synthetic saddles are less weight for the horse to carry. They are easy to clean and durable. Leather saddles have to clean with glycerin soap and oil them several times a year. Leather saddles have a longer lifespan. Synthetic saddles are less expensive. Leather saddles last longer, but the initial investment is more than synthetics.



saddle parts

For me its a leather saddle every time I ride a Tucker endurance westernised. To me it looks and feels good. No issues with the horse it fits well. Gel seat would not have it any other way.
The oiling thing is not a big issue and the modern leather saddle is not as heavy as those of old.

I have a rule if the manufacture will not stamp his name etc on the saddle I won't put my signature on the check.

I have had a bad experence with a no name cheep saddle and your life could be the cost. Tread carefully

The primary benefits of a synthetic are the weight and the little-maintenance-required durability.

A good quality leather saddle can be extremely beautiful, but they also tend to be somewhat costly and require fairly attentive maintenance and care. Synthetics are much more forgiving, and some of the newer ones are very attractive and have appearances comparable to real leather.

I personally tend to a lot rougher with my synthetic saddles - looks like rain? Pick up the synthetic? Trail ride to the pond/beach? Synthetic time. Going to leave it out at the barn in the dusty tack room for weeks on end and don't really feel like cleaning it - that's fine, it'll still be in perfectly good condition whenever you get back to riding in it.

As for comfort, I've had comfortable and uncomfortable leather saddles - same for synthetics. Its all about how it fits you and your horse.

If you're looking to browse, check out our synthetic line up at Western saddle Horse tack English saddles Pony saddle for sale - SaddleOnline Inc.

I feel the need to respond to the weight difference between synthetic and leather saddles.

I use a Tucker endurance saddle in western configeration and skirt. All leather with full bars and wide tree

My wife has a synhetic saddle made by Fabtron also full bars and wide tree

The weight difference is minimal only 7 lbs and if my Tucker was left in endurance configeration the weight difference is even less around 4 lbs.

Leather is by far the most durable. Once it has been waxed or oiled it does become water resistant. Synthetic are generally of a cordrona material and also water resistant. But not fully uv stablised so sunlight will affect the materal. The cost of the synthetic is far cheaper but a quality made leather saddle is expected to last for years. I have friends with leather saddles 20 years plus.

The difference between our saddles is now showing and the leather saddle is not showing the wear as much as the synthetic. Our riding is hard on gear, but very interesting.

Synthetic saddle is lighter than their leather counterparts. Synthetic saddles are less weight for the horse to carry. They are easy to clean and durable. Leather saddles have to clean with glycerin soap and oil them several times a year. Leather saddles have a longer lifespan. Synthetic saddles are less expensive. Leather saddles last longer, but the initial investment is more than synthetics.

synthetic saddles

Well perhaps that saddle is not a good fit for you and to avoid slipping around change for a saddle with leather seat turned out or have a saddle maker roughen it up. I have seen comment on the weight on the horse indicating that leather is heavy. If the saddle fits the horse then the weight is not a problem.

The only time I would ever use a synthetic would be for endurance riding. I have used a wintec and loved it for that purpose. Lighter weight, easy to clean and breathable for the horse. However when I am trail riding or working in the arena it is leather all the way for me!