First off, let’s get real. “Cheapest” doesn’t always mean “best.” I mean, duh, right? But seriously, you get what you pay for. You can totally find a saddle for like, a hundred bucks, maybe even less if you’re REALLY digging through the online bargain bin. BUT… and this is a BIG but… are you gonna be comfy? Is your horse gonna be comfy? Is the darn thing gonna *stay* together? Probably not all three. Let’s be honest, probably not even *one* of those things.
I saw somethin’ about horse saddles averaging around $500. That seems about right for somethin’ decent. But like, that’s just an *average*, y’know? You can totally spend WAY more. Like, eight THOUSAND dollars more! For a saddle! I can’t even imagine. I’d rather have a used truck for that price. Just sayin’.
Then there’s the whole thing about different kinds of saddles. Western, English, huntin’ (that’s “saddle huntin'” not horse huntin’, just to be clear), and who knows what else. Each one serves a different purpose, and that affects the price. So, figure out what you’re actually *doing* with the saddle before you start searchin’. Kinda like figuring out what kinda horse you need before you buy… wait.
Oh, and don’t even get me STARTED on “complete horse and saddle guides” on Reddit. Some of that stuff is pure gold, some of it is… well, let’s just say you should take everything you read online with a grain of salt. Especially when it comes to Red Dead Online! I have a friend who bought a saddle from there and it just disintegrated after a week, lol!
Also, a quick word on saddlebags. They are important for horse riding. And while you can get them cheap, it is best to look for something waterproof. A wet phone or horse snack is a bad phone or horse snack, I would imagine.
Okay, so back to the cheapest saddles. My (totally unprofessional and probably terrible) advice? Don’t go TOO cheap. Do your research, read some reviews (but don’t believe everything you read!), and maybe even check out some local tack shops. You might find a used saddle that’s in good condition for a decent price.
And for the love of all that is holy, make sure it fits your horse! A bad-fitting saddle can cause all sorts of problems. You do not want that. Trust me. A happy horse is a happy rider, and a happy rider is less likely to fall off.
