Bridgehouse
500 Synthetic w/ changeable gullets
All Purpose Saddles
Manufacturer: Bridgehouse
Model: 500 Synthetic w/ changeable gullets
Category: All Purpose Saddles
Purchase: I got the saddle used on ebay, it was mislabeled but I knew what it was. It came with three gullet plates: medium (installed) wide and narrow.
I got it to use on the mare I ride, who doesn't have her own saddle. I only ride every once in a while, and I don't show, so I didn't want to waste my money on an expensive saddle. I usually ride in hard-as-a-rock saddles anyway, and I wasn't expecting much.
It was $200 with $60 shipping.
Likes: It's so nice! I hoped it would be nice, but I really love it. All my friends love it. The seat is so squishy that it feels like gel. It's got a nice squish to it all over. It's very comfortable. You can barely tell it isn't real leather. Most of my friends don't believe how cheap I got it.
The gullet change is convenient. The mare I ride needed the wide gullet and with a few screws and some Velcro, it only took me a few minutes. It fits the mare perfectly. She's very mutton-withered, and the last saddle she had was too wide, but this one's just perfect.
The saddle is also very lightweight, which is great because I have to carry it to and from a car and up and down some stairs every time I want to use it.
Dislikes: It did squeak a little, I think it was the leathers. I expected some squeaking, and it's not too bad. I threw some baby powder on it, and it's fine now.
The gullet-change screws are made of a soft metal, so you have to be careful and be sure your screw driver isn't too small or you can damage the screws.
The saddle is on the large side, not the seat size itself, but the entire saddle. It's built big. I don't mind this, but I know some people might.
Quality: It's very nice. All of the stitching on the saddle is even and strong, the saddle is constructed beautifully. The "leather" feels great. It's got consistent coloring. All the padding is wonderful.
The safety stirrup bars seem to be made well, I tested them and they worked fine.
I had a problem with the soft metal screws and the nylon-reinforced billets had a string hanging off of them (they weren't frayed, it was just a stitch) but all in all it's great.
Summary: I love, love, love this saddle. It was cheap, and I got a lot for my money. I'm a casual rider, I don't show or anything, so it's more than perfect for me.
The horse's fit is what's most important, and this saddle fits the mare I ride amazingly. I imagine it'll fit other horses, if I switched out the gullets, but right now the one mare is all that matters.
It's a beautiful saddle. All my friends love it too.
Rating: 5
Author: Pook Nero
Date: 2007-11-06
Usefulness Rating: 5 out of 5.
4 reader(s) voted.
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