Trying to figure out the cost to buy a saddle? Whether it’s for you, a new horse, or a horse you are leasing, there is more to the cost of a saddle than just buying the saddle itself.
Keep reading to find out:
- The different saddle cost ranges based on:
- Saddle quality
- Types of saddles
- Saddle brands
- The extra equipment you’ll need to buy for the saddle; which you’ll have to factor into the cost and
- The other upfront costs associated with your saddle
- The saddles upkeep costs
Horse saddles can range in price greatly depending on the type of saddle, brand, materials and craftsmanship quality. When you are looking to purchase a saddle you can usually expect to get what you pay for.
The average cost of a horse saddle is around $500. However, the price range for different saddles varies greatly, from $100 for a cheap saddle to $8000 or more for a high end or custom made saddle.
Saddle Cost Based On Saddle Quality
$100-$500 is considered an inexpensive saddle. It will be made of lower quality leather or a synthetic material. The crafting of these saddles will be done with less care and attention to detail. Often these saddles are difficult to fit on horses and are uncomfortable for both horse and rider. Inexpensive saddles commonly put the rider in awkward or incorrect riding positions. The chair seat is one example of an incorrect riding position.
$500-$2000 is considered to be a mid-priced saddle. It will be of low to good quality leather or synthetic material. These saddles are created more structurally sound with higher quality fit for both horse and rider. Some english saddles offer systems where you can change the width sizing of the saddle to be able to fit different horses or be able to change with your horse; as the shape of your horse changes due to age or fitness level. These saddles typically fit most horses and can be somewhat comfortable to pretty comfortable. However horses that are difficult to fit may need a higher quality or custom made saddle.
$2000-$8000+ is considered to be a high end saddle. It will be of good to amazing quality leather. The craftsmanship will be good to the utmost quality, care and attention to detail. These saddles either offer several sizes for horse and rider or are custom tailored to fit horse and rider. Some of these saddles have brand specific saddle fitters that can come and help you choose the right saddle and fit for you and your horse. These saddles are comfortable, balanced and can make riding feel like a dream. Custom saddles are ideal for the difficult to fit horse.
| Saddle Price Range | Inexpensive Saddle $100-$500 | Mid-Priced Saddle $500-$2000 | High End Saddle $2000-$8000+ |
| Saddle Quality | Low Quality stiffer leather sometimes you may find defects in saddle or uneven flocking. | Mid Level quality leather can lean low to good. These saddles are put together better with more care than cheap saddles but you can sometimes still find defects. | High End quality with nice leather, attention to detail is very high. The chance of defect is very low but possible. |
| Saddle Fit | Many times can be a poor fit on horses and often puts rider in an incorrect riding position | Typically fit most horses. Hard to fit horses may need a higher end saddle. Some saddles are decently balanced for rider while others still put rider in awkward position | Custom saddles create the best fit on horses. High end saddles tend to fit horses better because of more attention to detail. But not always the case. |
| Saddle Comfort | These saddles tend to be uncomfortable more times than not for both horse and rider. Stiff leather and hard seats. | It can go 50/50 with mid level saddles. You can find saddles that range from stiffer and uncomfortable to more supple and comfortable. | Most high end saddles are very comfortable for the rider and often for the horses is fitted properly. |
Now you have an idea of saddle price based on quality and what the quality level may bring, I just want to bring up one more point here.
It is possible to find a decent saddle that fits the horse and rider and is at a lower price point. And it is possible that a higher priced saddle is uncomfortable for the horse and rider or the leather isn’t the quality that you would expect.
So what I am trying to say is that you shouldn’t buy a saddle just based on the price and supposed quality level. You should give saddles a chance and check out the quality in person, try it on your horse, check the fit, ride in it and see how you and your horse like it.
Saddle Cost Based On Type Of Saddle
These are numbers so you can get an idea of what different types of saddles cost. I searched around the internet looking at a bunch of different saddle types and wrote down the prices I saw for the low end and for the high end of each type of saddle.
So you may find one of these saddle types more or less, slightly out of the price ranges I have listed below. Let me know in the comments if you find a type of saddle that is listed more or less than what I have provided below and I will check it out and update this list.
All the saddles listed below are based on new saddles, not used saddles. I just wanted to clarify that.
ENGLISH SADDLES $99-$8190
Close Contact Saddle $270- $6490
Dressage Saddle $189- $8190
Cross Country Saddle $1300- $6900
All Purpose Saddle $99- $4490
Synthetic English Saddle $227- $1400
Endurance Saddle $227- $4250
Australian Stock Saddle $295- $2500
Exercise Saddle For Race Horses $60- $390
Treeless Saddle $90- $2500
WESTERN SADDLES $189- $8250
Reining Saddle $699- 4,700
Barrel Racing Saddle $275- $3900
Cutting Saddle $579- $4500
Roping Saddles $419- $5200
Show Saddles $369- $8250
Trail Saddle $180- $4945
Ranch Saddle $449- $3900
Flexible Tree Saddles $499- $2800
Synthetic Western Saddles $179- $770
Saddle Cost Based On English Saddle Brands
Here is a list of english saddle brands I have put together, with price ranges of their most inexpensive saddle to their most expensive saddle. I wrote down prices also based on new saddles.
If there is a saddle brand I missed that you love and think should be added to this list, let me know down in the comments.
Arena $1299
Amerigo $2995-$6200
Albion $2995- $6494
Antares $2,880- $5199
Bates $1435- $4045
Crosby $1489- $3499
Collegiate $429- $1699
Camelot $625
CWD Saddles $5450- $8200
Dover $700- $1750
Henri De Rivel $270- $1995
Kincade $175- $447
M Toulouse $999- $2600
Ovation $1195- $2400
Pessoa $1399- $3950
Prestige $2994- $6535
Passier $2695- $3249
Stubben $2335- $5500
Schleese $3995- $8190
Tad Coffin $6495
Tekna $395- $1095
Wintec $345-$1795
Voltaire $5400+
Saddle Cost Based On Western Saddle Brands
Here is a list of western saddle brands. I am more experienced with english saddles though I have a Circle Y Saddle, which is super comfy. These prices are also based on new saddles with the cheapest saddle to the most expensive for each western saddle brand.
Abetta $392- $950
American Saddlery $710-$1186
Big Horse Saddles $652- $1699
Billy Cooks Saddles $1990- $2590
Circle Y Saddles $1970- $3370
Crates Saddles $1995-$2395
Dakota Saddles $898- $1626
Double J Saddles $1495- $8973
Fabtron Saddles $525- $1567
High Horse Saddles $870- $1450
King Series Saddles $270- $488
Martin Saddlery $3180- $4250
Reinsman Saddles $2850- $3840
Royal King Saddles $297- $649
Schleese $4295- $4945
Silver Royal Saddles $517- $1,158
South Bend Saddles $637- $1804
Tex Tan Saddles $1720- $3050
Tucker Saddles $1950- $2465
Wintec Western Saddles $441- $469
Cost Of Extra Equipment For Saddle
All saddles have equipment that are not included with the purchase.
So unless you buy a saddle package that includes the extra needed equipment or you already have the extra equipment, you are going to have to factor in the costs for the extra equipment that you’ll need for your saddle.
A Western Saddle Will Need
- Cinch (a western equivalent to an english saddle’s girth) $14- $180
- Saddle blanket or western saddle pad $18- $450
An English Saddle Will Need
- Stirrups $12- $500
- Stirrup leathers $15- $265
- Girth $10- $330
- Saddle pad $10- $430
Optional Equipment
- Breastplate (western or english) $55- $350
- Grab Strap (english) $6- $50
- Correction pad or Half Pad (english) $20- $300
Other Upfront Saddle Costs
Some other costs associated with your saddle when you first get it would be getting your saddle fitted by a qualified saddle fitter. This is not a requirement but it is extremely recommended unless you are experienced and have a good eye for fitting saddles or know someone else that is.
The saddle fit is so important for your horse’s comfort. An improperly fitting saddle will cause back pain and possibly other issues as well. Many behavioral issues under saddle are caused by discomfort from the saddle. So it is worth it to make sure you have a saddle that fits you and your horse and that you are both comfortable with.
Cost for saddle fitting typically ranges at $75-$250.
Then you will want to consider buying a saddle cover or saddle bag to protect your saddle from dirt, debris, mold and scratches. You don’t need one, but you are investing a good chunk of money into your saddle so it makes sense to protect it with a cover or bag.
Saddle bag or cover cost ranges $10- $250
If you don’t have a saddle rack or saddle stand to store your saddle you’ll want to buy one. Keeping your saddle on a saddle stand or saddle rack with help to keep the saddle from warping or changing shape.
Saddle Stand $25- $2000
Saddle Rack $15- $350
Putting a saddle on the ground temporarily pommel first with the cantle leaning against a wall is ok. But it may get dirty and scratches on the front or top of the cantle.
Definitely don’t put the saddle on the ground like you would on the horse’s back. This will put pressure on the tree which can damage the saddle and it will cause the saddle flaps to bend and warp.
Also if the saddle’s tree breaks you should not use the saddle for riding.
Upkeep Saddle Costs
Other costs associated with your saddle would be the upkeep costs, such as
- Leather cleaner and conditioner $10- $100 per container
- Sponges $5-10 for a pack
- Getting saddle refitted when the horse changes shape $75-$250
- Getting saddle repaired, such as re-flocking, new billet straps, covering up holes and more $50-$500
- New stirrup leathers, stirrups, and girth when they are starting to get worn out. Refer to the section above “Cost Of Extra Equipment For The Saddle”
These upkeep costs will help keep your saddle lasting a long time as well as help to keep you safe and the horse comfortable.
Do you ride another discipline aside from the saddles shown in this post? If you would find it helpful to list another saddle type, let us know down in the comments.
Cheers, Kacey
