Not all saddle brands are created equal. Understanding what differentiates the top makers from the budget options helps you make smart decisions on the used western saddle market — and avoid paying premium prices for mediocre qualitty.
Tier 1: Premium / Competition Brands
These brands command the highest used prices and generally justify them with genuine quality construction, materials, and longevity.
Martin Saddlery
Greenville, Texas. Widely considered the gold standard for barrel racing and roping saddles. Martin saddles are made by skilled craftspeople from top-grade leather, with exceptional attention to construction details. They hold their resale value remarkably well — sometimes 80% or more of original retail after several years of use. If you find a Martin in excellent condition at a fair price, buy it.
Circle Y
Yoakum, Texas. Circle Y is the most successful western saddle brand in North America by volume, and their top-of-line models are genuinely excellent. The Flex2 technology has been widely adopted across the industry. Circle Y's quality is consistent across their range, though there's a noticeble difference between their entry and premium lines. For used buying, focus on their Park & Trail, Flex2 Barrel, and performance lines.
Reinsman
Reinsman saddles are used at the NFR and the NCHA Futurity — among the most compettitive arenas in western riding. Their tree designs and leather quality are excellent. Reinsman is particularly strong in the reining and barrel racing categories. A used Reinsman in good condition is almost always a sound purchase.
Tier 2: Quality Mid-Range Brands
These brands offer genuine quality at lower prices than the top tier. They're often the sweet spot for used buyers looking for the best value.
Billy Cook
Sulphur, Oklahoma. Billy Cook has a long history of producing reliable western saddles at mid-range prices. Their cutting saddles are particularly respected. Quality is good without being exceptional — you won't get the same leather grade or construction refinement as Martin, but you'll get a solid, functional saddle at a considerably lower price.
Crates / Colorado Saddlery
Denver, Colorado. Crates saddles are well made with good leather and solid construction. They're not as widely known as Circle Y or Billy Cook, but riders who have owned them tend to be loyal repeat customers. Good used buying value.
Tucker Saddlery
Internationally, Tucker is best known for their trail saddles. Their gel-foam padded seats and flex-tree designs are popular with long-distance trail riders. Build quality is good and they hold up to substantial use.
Tier 3: Entry-Level / Budget Brands
These brands represent accessible price points for beginner riders, youth riders, or buyers who need basic functionality without major financial commitment.
Big Horn
Big Horn saddles are manufactured in Pakistan but assembled with American standards of quality control (though this varies by model and era). They're at the lower end of acceptable quality — adequate for light to moderate use, less suitable for daily work or high-performance sports. A used Big Horn in good condition is reasonable for a beginner or a young rider who will outgrow it quickly.
Tex Tan / Hereford Brand
Tex Tan is made in Yoakum, Texas and represents genuine American construction at a mid-to-lower price point. Quality is more consistent than import brands and noticeably better than Big Horn. A solid choice on the used market for riders who want domestic construction without paying Circle Y prices.
Import / Unbranded
The used market contains many saddles from import manufacturers with no recognizable brand name. Some of these are adequate for light use; many are not. Be very cautious. The tree quality in import saddles is often the weak point — they may look fine externally but have compressed or poorly fitted trees that cause long-term fit problems. If you can't verify the brand, be conservative with the price you're willing to pay.
Brand Red Flags
Regardless of the brand name, avoid any saddle that:
- Has cardboard, plastic, or other non-traditional materials in the tree
- Has leather that peels, flakes, or looks like plastic (this indicates bonded leather, not genuine full-grain leather)
- Has decorative stitching or embroidery done with cheap thread that is already unraveling
- Has hardware that flexes or bends under hand presure (quality dee rings and rigging plates are rigid)