Western Show Saddle?

I'm looking at different western show saddles, but I'm having a hard time deciding on color. I've seen a few light tan ones I like, but I don't think it would match well. My horse is a dark chestnut, with a chestnut mane and a chestnut %26amp; blonde tail. What color saddle would you recommend?

Western Show Saddle?
You know the light ones do naturally darken up on their own..especially with exposure to light....you could also oil it with leather new and darken it gradually till you reach the color you desire!!
Reply:Mulereiner saw a really nice one the other day. It's very different and sure to make you and your horse stand out. Follow the link



http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e208/m...



You can see the guy in the background is just overcome by the beauty of it!
Reply:Lisa, thanks for the laugh!!
Reply:What breed of horse will you be showing, and what type of show will you attend?

The style of the stock breeds such as AQHA, Paint and Appy is the light oil saddles. At Open shows you will see people riding stock breeds in saddles of all colors, but at Breed shows basically everyone from novices to pros ride in light oil.

If you are showing an Arab or Morgan, you will want darker leather - for some reason they are not into the light oil.

Before you make an investment in a good quality saddle, look at some breed magazines, horse magazines such as "Horse and Rider" which deal with show horses, or attend some shows and see what's in style. Why pay thousands for something that won't be quite what you want.

I would not make any attempt to match your saddle color to your horse. What happens when you change horses? Besides, by the time you pick a well coordinated saddle pad, and sit in the saddle, the color of leather will not clash at all.

Most importantly, make certain your saddle fits both you and your horse well. You want the correct size tree for your horse, and a good equitation seat for yourself.

Happy shopping. And I agree - you might want to buy Mulereiners lovely show saddle on the link above me!
Reply:The tan color is generally accepted in the western show pen. You don't see a lot of dark saddles, especially in the stock horses. Dark saddles were in fashion in the early 90s, but have since really decreased in numbers. A tan saddle is going to stay in fashion pretty much forever, and works with every color horse. It's also very easy to match to a headstall.
Reply:I had a dark chestnut, and the lighter color looked great on him. If you go too dark, you will risk clashing with your horse's color. Also, I have learned a hard less with saddles- buy quality. I know I sound like a snob, but will only buy a Billy Cook or Circle Y. They fit me and my horse best, and they have a good reputation. I have hip problems, and I need something that will stand up to many years of use, and do it well, because once I find one that I like (and that doesn't hurt me) it will be along forever.



Also, I would try taking a pic of your horse to a local tack shop and putting the colors together or looking through magazines and such (Quarter Horse Journal, etc) and see what similar colored horses tack colors and outfit colors are.



Good luck in your showing.
Reply:Sounds like either color would be suitable. You can compliment with your blanket.
Reply:Medium colored saddles never go out of style, while light ones come and go with the wind. I prefer the light but bought a medium so that I would not stick out when the fads change.

Leather Slippers