How Much Does A Horse Saddle Cost?

Whether you’re new to horse riding or a veteran of the sport, you probably know that buying a horse saddle is an extremely important part of the whole experience. And if you’ve got your eye on a Western saddle, an English saddle, or you’re thinking of a few different designs for some custom saddles, then your next step is to figure out how much it’s going to cost you.

There’s a lot that goes into the decision of purchasing a decent saddle. And that’s exactly why I’m here to help. So read on and I’ll get you saddled up in no time!

Factors Affecting The Cost Of A Horse Saddle

Before we get into the specific prices, it’s important to know what factors will affect the cost of a horse saddle, as this will help you understand why one might cost more than the other.

Type of saddle

While the type of saddle alone will only have a minimal impact on the overall cost, it does still have a role to play in deciding the price. Some saddle types are more popular than others, which means they might be more expensive due to demand. On the other hand, some saddles require a specific material to be made properly, which also drives up the price.

One example is that of English saddles usually being more expensive than Western saddles.

Below is a list of a few of the types of saddles that you can find:

• Western saddles
• English saddles
• Dressage saddles
• Trail saddles
• Jumping saddles
• Racing Saddles

Materials used

Of course, the materials used to make a saddle will impact the price too. Higher quality materials mean more durability of the saddle, and often better comfort too. Good quality leather saddles will last much longer and will cost you a lot more than saddles made from synthetic materials. They’re also generally easier to clean and repair, which makes them a good investment if you’re able to pay the upfront cost.

New vs. second-hand

Just like most other products that you buy, if you buy a saddle brand new, it’s likely going to cost you more than if you were to buy a second-hand saddle. This is because there isn’t any wear and tear on new saddles, but buying a saddle second-hand can come with risks.

With that being said, if you know where to look, you can find some high-quality saddles second-hand for some pretty reasonable prices.

Horse Saddle Price Ranges

Second-hand saddles

If you’ve decided that you want to try your luck with a second-hand saddle, you can expect to pay anywhere from £200. Of course, there will be exceptions to this. You might just be able to find a good-quality, cheap saddle, but it’s unlikely that anything below this price will last you a very long time.

Remember, if you are going to buy a horse saddle second-hand, always make sure you go and check the saddle quality first. You don’t want to pay all that money just to receive a very damaged or poor-quality saddle.

Low-end saddles

Your low-end saddles are usually those made from synthetic material, which we mentioned earlier. This material is much easier and more affordable to source. This means that you’ll be able to get some pretty cheap saddles in this range. The downside is that they won’t last very long and may not be very comfortable for you or your horse.

If you are looking to buy a low-end saddle, you can expect to pay similar prices to the starting costs of decent-quality second-hand saddles at around £200.

Mid-range saddles

Mid-range saddles are those made from lower-quality leather. These will last much longer than low-end, synthetic saddles and are therefore already a better choice if you’re looking at riding horses long-term.

Mid-range saddles are also a good balance between affordability and durability. While they won’t always last as long as many high-end saddles will, they will be able to get the job done well, for a good amount of time.

If you’re looking for a mid-range saddle, you can expect to pay prices between £700 and £1500.

High-end saddles

High-end saddles are going to, of course, cost a lot of money. These use top-of-the-line materials like extremely high-quality leather. They’re also usually designed for optimum comfort and performance depending on what the purpose of the saddle is.

Included in the high-end saddles are those that can be custom-made for you and your horse. Getting a saddle custom-made will also hike up the price since it involves more effort than simply purchasing something with standard dimensions.

If you want to purchase a high-end saddle, you can expect to pay prices upwards of £2000. Depending on the brand, saddle type, and whether or not it’s a custom design, you may even see prices going quite a lot higher than that.

Additional Costs and Considerations

Aside from the horse saddle cost itself, you will also need to consider all the other costs that come with buying a saddle. These include:

• Saddle fitting: If you’re not sure that the saddle you want to buy is the right fit for your horse in particular, it can be useful to hire a professional to fit the saddle for you. This will ensure you get a saddle that fits your horse properly and will avoid issues such as back pain or bad behaviour when your horse has a saddle on.
• Saddle blanket: Many people choose to use saddle blankets or saddle pads to create more comfort for their horses and to prevent the saddle from getting dirty. Even if the saddle fit is right, you may want to add that little bit of extra comfort for your horse. In that case, you’ll need to consider a saddle blanket cost too.
• Saddle bag or cover: Since you’re likely spending quite a bit of money on your saddle, you’re going to want to make sure that you prolong the life of that saddle and prevent damage. This is where a saddle bag or saddle cover will come in handy. When your saddle is stored away, this will protect it from dirt, mould, and potential scratches.
• Saddle rack or stand: Just as you would want to protect your saddle from damage with a saddle bag or cover, you would also want to preserve the quality of your saddle by utilising a saddle stand or a saddle rack. These ensure that your saddle is stored properly, without any stress being put on the tree or the saddle flaps.

FAQs

How much is a saddle for a horse in the UK?

Saddle prices vary depending on the type of saddle you buy, the material it’s made from, and more. generally, for a synthetic saddle or a second-hand saddle, you’ll pay anywhere from £200. For leather saddles, you can expect to pay upwards of £700. And for high-end saddles, you can expect prices to start going above £2000.

Why are horse saddles so expensive?

Horse saddles are expensive because they are usually intended to last a long time. High-quality saddles are also made from high-quality leather, which not only takes more time to source but takes a longer time to cure before it can finally be used to craft the saddle. Higher-quality leather lasts a longer time, which means you don’t have to keep buying more saddles over and over again.

What does the most expensive saddle cost?

The most expensive saddle was sold for £432,310. It originally belonged to the Crown Prince of Dubai and was sold on 15 November 2015 during a charity auction.

What is the most expensive piece of equipment for a horse?

The most expensive tack that you will buy for your horse is the saddle. This is due to the materials used to make the saddle as well as the importance of comfort for both the rider and the horse.

Are saddles made with real leather?

Yes, many modern saddles tend to still be made with real leather. While you can purchase synthetic saddles for a lower price, they usually don’t last as long as leather saddles. Leather is both durable and comfortable, which are two important features that horse owners look for in a saddle.