A used western saddle is worth buying when three things check out: the tree is intact, the leather is sound, and the price matches the brand’s market value. Get any one of those wrong and you’re stuck with a saddle that’s either unsafe, uncomfortable, or overpriced. This guide walks you through exactly what to inspect before handing over your money — whether you’re buying from a private seller, an online listing, or a tack shop.

Check the Saddle Tree First

The saddle tree is the skeleton of every western saddle. If it’s broken, the saddle is worthless — no amount of beautiful leather or tooling changes that. A broken tree can’t distribute your weight evenly, which means pressure points on your horse’s back that lead to soreness, behavioral problems, and eventually injury.

The horn-down test: Place the saddle on the ground resting on its horn. With both hands on the cantle, push down firmly. An intact tree resists the pressure. If you feel flex, give, or hear a click — the tree could be cracked.

Tree repair is rarely worth the cost. At $800–$900 for labor alone — plus the challenge of finding the exact replacement tree — most saddle makers advise against it. If the tree is broken, walk away. At Saddle Up Colorado, we check every used saddle’s tree before it goes on the floor. If it doesn’t pass, we don’t list it.

Inspect the Leather and Stitching

Quality leather should feel supple but firm — not spongy, not cardboard-stiff. Bend the fenders, side jockeys, and skirt. If you see small cracks on the grain side, that’s dry rot — a sign the saddle was stored poorly or never conditioned. The underside of the leather should be smooth with no loose fibers visible.

Check the stitching at every stress point: where the skirt meets the tree, where stirrup leathers attach, and along the cantle binding. Loose or frayed stitching isn’t always a dealbreaker — re-stitching costs $50–$150 — but it should be factored into the price. If the leather looks unnaturally shiny, the seller may have applied oil or lacquer to hide wear. Flip the saddle over and inspect the fleece. Worn, matted, or compressed fleece may need replacing ($450 + ) and affects how the saddle sits on your horse’s back.

Evaluate the Rigging and Metal Fittings

The rigging connects your saddle to the horse through tie straps and the cinch. On a double-rigged saddle, check the strength at all four dee rings. On a single-rigged saddle, check where the rigging attaches to the skirt. Is the leather cracked, bent, dry rotted or worn thin? Rivets should be tight, and the dee rings should be solid and not bent. Metal fittings should be stainless steel or brass. If you see rust, you’re looking at cheap iron — it will eventually break under stress and it damages the leather around it. Inspect the Blevins buckles on the stirrup leathers: slide the sleeve up to expose the pins. Worn-out or oblong holes mean the leathers have stretched and may need replacing ($125 for a new set). New rigging on an in-skirt setup runs $50+/hour in labor and could take several hours, so factor that into your offer price.

Know the Brand Before You Buy

Brand tells you more about a used saddle’s value than almost anything else. If you recognize the maker — Circle Y, Billy Cook, McCall, Tucker, Big Horn — you already have a baseline for quality and can estimate a fair used price by checking what the same model sells for new.

If you don’t recognize the brand, it may be an import. Import saddles often retail for $300–$500 new, which means a used one shouldn’t  cost more than $150–$250. Their trees are flimsier, hollow, leather is thinner, and they rarely fit standard American horse conformation well. Custom saddles from lesser-known makers can actually be excellent — but do your research. Contact the maker if they’re still in business. Ask how many saddles they build, what tree maker they use, and what a comparable new saddle costs today.

General used pricing: Import saddles: $100–$300. Mid-range American brands (Dakota, Big Horn): $400–$900. Premium brands (Circle Y, McCall, Billy Cook): $800–$2,000+. Custom saddles from known makers: $1,500–$3,500 depending on condition and age.

Check the Seat Size and Tree Width

Seat size is measured from the base of the horn to the cantle binding of the cantle. Many adult riders fit a 15” to 16” seat — a general guide is having a finger to two fingers of space between your thigh and the swell. 

Tree width is even more important for your horse. A saddle that’s too narrow pinches the withers; too wide and it can sit directly on the spine. If you’re not sure which tree width fits your horse, our saddle fitting service can help — in person at our Gilcrest, Colorado shop or by phone with your horse’s wither tracings and photos.

Why Buying From a Dealer Beats Private Sales

Often online buying guides focus on how to protect yourself when buying from strangers — eBay sellers, Craigslist listings, Facebook Marketplace posts. Those guides are useful but there’s a simpler way to avoid most of the risk: buy from a dealer that inspects, stands behind, and lets you try the saddle.

At Saddle Up Colorado, our consignment program works differently from private sales. Every used western saddle has its tree checked, rigging inspected, leather assessed, and fleece evaluated before it goes online or on the floor. We set the selling price with our consignors — we don’t mark up. Our local saddle trial program lets you try up to three saddles for two to three days on your horse before you commit. If we ship you a saddle we give you 7 days to make sure the saddle works for both you and your horse.

In 29 years of fitting saddles, Saddle Up has seen every mistake buyers make — from overpaying for imports to buying saddles with hidden tree damage. If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, call us at (303) 772-7821 or book a saddle fitting. We’d rather help you find the right saddle than sell you the wrong one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if a used western saddle has a broken tree?

Place the saddle on the ground, resting on the horn, and push down on the cantle. An intact tree resists pressure with no flex, clicking, or give. If you feel any movement, the tree is likely cracked. A broken tree cannot be repaired cost-effectively and the saddle should not be ridden.

How much should I pay for a used western saddle?

Prices depend on brand, condition, and age. Import saddles sell for $100–$300. Mid-range American brands like Dakota and Big Horn can run $400–$900. Premium brands like Circle Y, McCall, and Billy Cook typically sell used for $800–$2,000 or more. Custom saddles from known American makers can command $1,500–$3,500 depending on the builder and condition.

What should I look for in a used western saddle?

Check five things in this order: tree integrity (most important — a broken tree is a safety hazard), leather condition (look for dry rot, cracks, and uniform thickness), stitching at stress points, rigging and metal fittings (stainless or brass, no rust), and proper fit for your horse’s back shape and your seat size.

Are used western saddles safe to ride?

Yes, as long as the tree is intact and the rigging is sound. A quality used saddle with good leather and a solid tree is as safe as a new one. The primary risk is a broken tree, which creates uneven pressure on the horse’s back. Always inspect the tree before purchasing, or buy from a dealer that checks saddle integrity before listing.

Where is the best place to buy a used western saddle?

Buying from a reputable tack shop that inspects used saddles before selling is the safest option. Dealers like Saddle Up Colorado check the tree, rigging, leather, and fleece of every used saddle. You also get the option to try the saddle on your horse before committing — something private sellers and online marketplaces can’t offer.

Can I return a used saddle if it doesn’t fit my horse?

At Saddle Up Colorado, yes. Our saddle trial program lets you try up to three saddles for two to three days. If the fit isn’t right, return it and we’ll help you find a better match. When buying from private sellers, returns are rarely guaranteed — which is one more reason to buy from a dealer with a trial policy. We give you 7 days from the date the saddle is received on used saddles, read more about our return policy here.