Saddle

[LCQH]

Yesterday for something to do, Mom and I went to the tack shop. For the first time I can remember, I walked out with nothing.

But, I saw this English saddle. It was used, $350, barely scuffed, quality leather, and very soft. It had extra padding so the buckles on the stirrups wouldn't be painful. I've never seen another saddle like this. It was so comfortable! I think it was a JD Collegiate. JD? JR? Not 100% sure of the JD/JR part.

Plus since I accidentally dyed my stirrup leathers dark brown, it's the only saddle I've found that matches them.

The catch is, I wouldn't be able to use it. It looks to be a wide tree (which my mare needs) and it fits me perfectly. But I can't take it home and try it on her as she's pregnant at the moment. Should I go ahead and get the saddle anyway? If it doesn't fit, I could try and sell it on E-bay.

I'm wishing I had tried harder to convince Mom I need this saddle. My western one fits her, but that particular saddle makes me feel like I'm sitting on a block of wood on her (but is fine for the gelding). I really need another saddle as my other type is a stirrupped bareback pad.

What do you think?

[CMR]

How far along in the pregnancy is she? I know you can ride them into the fourth or fifth month(I think).

[Dreamchaser]

A wide tree? How wide of a tree? If it doesn't fit, PM me! I just might be interested.

[LCQH]

She's due this month or next.

The last time I rode her was 4th or 5th because we found out the 8th. Oops, we should've had her checked when we first suspected. The vet said I could've kept doing light riding until the end of February as long as it wasn't in extreme weather and only walking. Instead I just take her on little walks on a leadline - I figure she's got enough weight to carry as it is.

I figure now's not a good time to try a saddle fitting on her due to her large belly. She used to have a wonderful back but for a while she became swayed back but now that her belly's "dropped" it seems to be going back the way it was before little by little.

So I probably won't be riding her until the foal is weaned.
But, what's it hurt to plan ahead? If it doesn't fit I could probably sell it on Ebay.

EDIT: Dreamchaser, it appears to be a wide tree, I didn't ask how wide. It was wider than most of the other saddles there. I'm just hoping it'll fit my (somewhat thick) QH mare. I looked at the saddle and said "MOM! I think this one just might fit!" since the one before fit the horse, but was extremely uncomfortable. The one before that fit me, but not the horse.

[kedwards]

Is it this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/JV-Saddle-The-New-Collegiate_W0QQitemZ3671251306QQcategoryZ47282QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The smartest advice is to wait until she is in riding shape and then go searching
for a saddle that fits her well.

[LCQH]

Looks a bit like it with some minor differences.

It looks like there's no padding on the flap above where the stirrup buckles go. I drew an arrow to show where I mean. The one I saw did have padding there.
http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jvcollegiate1yh.jpg

EDIT: I found a picture of it on Google.
http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=collegiate7zd.jpg
Not exactly sure what type of saddle it is, I think all-purpose? Not really sure, as long as it's comfy for my horse and I.

[KarinUS]

Collegiate saddles seem to be in the lower to medium price range new (leather saddle but foam panels instead of wool, etc.) so it shouldn't be too hard to find a used one for a similar price when you are ready to shop.