Lightweight/synthetic Saddle

[fattyboy70]

Curious as to what experiences anyone has with a lightweight or synthetic saddle for hunting and trail riding. Let me know pros/cons, saddles to look for or stay away from. Any info would be helpful.

 

[bmart2622]

Id stay away from all of them

 

[missjordan]

Pretty much all the lightweight synthetic western saddles are all mass produced. With cheap plastic trees that will warp with a short amount of time and sore your horse.

There’s a reason why the hardcore endurance riders mostly go with an English style saddle. Most English saddles weigh as light as 12lbs and as heavy as 25lbs (dressage saddles). That’s about as lightweight as it gets when you compare them to most western saddles that weigh maybe as light as 30lbs but usually are between 45-60lbs. But you loose the security western saddles give you. (Which is also debatable)

If you want to save weight, look for western saddles that have shorter skirts. Most modern saddles come double skirted now but you can find or have single skirts made custom. Or I’d even try and find an Australian saddle. Probably would need to have one made.

Your best western saddles are any that will be any on a rawhide bound tree that fit both you and your horse comfortably. Trail saddles or ranch type saddles will all be designed for more comfort in mind where barrel or roping saddles are designed for the “job”. Not that they can’t be comfortable for long hours riding, it’s just not the priority.


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[Dixie]

I've used a McCall Mclite for around 10 years and never had an issue with it.
Same ride as my Selway packer but 10 lbs lighter.