If your looking for a synthetic saddle your better to go with a Wintec. They don't cost a lot more and they are a much better quality. A wintec will also give you a much better position, because the saddle has a better cut.
I see lots of pony club kids riding in kincade saddles and they have to work a lot harder to keep a better position. They are the lowest grade entry saddle.
If you do buy one because your restricted on budget. Definitely make sure it fits your horse properly. The flock under the saddle (stuffing inside) can be hard and rigid, causing sore spots on your horse.
For $75 I sent a wintec back recently and had most of the flock removed to fit a very fat pony my daughter is riding. So it is not hugely expensive to fit your saddle to your horse.
Shannon Maye brings up a good point, look at second hand saddles if your able to. I picked up a beautiful bates caprilli years ago and it is still in excellent condition, it was broken in and so so comfortable.
I have also bought many stock saddles second hand, good quality ones that have lasted playing many polocrosse seasons.
Just check the tree is good and still see if you can get it fitted to your horse ;-)
Your actual questions -
is the kincade close contact saddle(the dark brown one) good quality
~ In my opinion no.
is it really good looking on the horse
~ Most saddles look the same from a distance. The "look" is not important to me, as long as it fits well.
does it feel comfortable to sit in and ride
~ I do actually have a all purpose kincade. I bought it for visitors to ride in if the weather is bad and I don't want my leather saddle wet. I found it "squeaks" and is not terribly comfortable, it has only been used 5 times.
is it easy to jump in
~ I can't answer this because I have not jumped in the close contact one. But do see if you can get one on trial or take your horse to the saddlery and get them to fit it on your horse and sit in it before you buy. Do 2 point and ensure you feel comfortable and that your leg/knee is in the right position.
My little sister had one--she didn't ride much. I hated that saddle. I think it looks cheap and rides poorly, and I've ridden in other "cheap" saddles that were much more comfortable/put you in a better position.
I had the State Line Tack close contact probably 10 years ago which was a similarly priced "cheap" saddle, but to me it was far more efficient. If you absolutely can't buy a higher quality saddle, shop around and try something other than the Kincade!
I agree with Shannon Maye. Don't waste your money. These are cheap saddles designed for summer camps and riding schools -- where the kids are tough on the equipment and it makes more sense to replace the saddles annually. The leather is like cardboard, the stitching is cheap, and the padding is almost nonexistant. For the price of the new Kincade you can get a used Crosby or Collegiate; the leather will be superior and (if well cared for) perfectly broken in.
Kincade is generally considered a low quality saddle. If I were in the market for a saddle, I'd be looking for a used Collegiate or Bates rather than a new Kincade. I'd rather have an older, quality saddle than a new, cheap saddle.
They're terrible. They're cheap, uncomfortable and bad quality. I've ridden in Kincades before, and I hated it. If you're looking for a cheap synthetic saddle, try wintec. They're not too expensive, and a lot better than kincade. If you have a good budget though, try bates or something like that.
They're very cheap and don't last long. I wouldn't waste your money. If you cannot afford a higher end saddle I would go with Wintec. They're cheap enough and you can make it fit any horse. I love mine as a schooling saddle.
Low quality. Look for a higher quality used saddle. Remember that lower quality saddles equals worse for your horse's comfort and possibly his or her back.
Comments
If your looking for a synthetic saddle your better to go with a Wintec. They don't cost a lot more and they are a much better quality. A wintec will also give you a much better position, because the saddle has a better cut.
I see lots of pony club kids riding in kincade saddles and they have to work a lot harder to keep a better position. They are the lowest grade entry saddle.
If you do buy one because your restricted on budget. Definitely make sure it fits your horse properly. The flock under the saddle (stuffing inside) can be hard and rigid, causing sore spots on your horse.
For $75 I sent a wintec back recently and had most of the flock removed to fit a very fat pony my daughter is riding. So it is not hugely expensive to fit your saddle to your horse.
Shannon Maye brings up a good point, look at second hand saddles if your able to. I picked up a beautiful bates caprilli years ago and it is still in excellent condition, it was broken in and so so comfortable.
I have also bought many stock saddles second hand, good quality ones that have lasted playing many polocrosse seasons.
Just check the tree is good and still see if you can get it fitted to your horse ;-)
Your actual questions -
is the kincade close contact saddle(the dark brown one) good quality
~ In my opinion no.
is it really good looking on the horse
~ Most saddles look the same from a distance. The "look" is not important to me, as long as it fits well.
does it feel comfortable to sit in and ride
~ I do actually have a all purpose kincade. I bought it for visitors to ride in if the weather is bad and I don't want my leather saddle wet. I found it "squeaks" and is not terribly comfortable, it has only been used 5 times.
is it easy to jump in
~ I can't answer this because I have not jumped in the close contact one. But do see if you can get one on trial or take your horse to the saddlery and get them to fit it on your horse and sit in it before you buy. Do 2 point and ensure you feel comfortable and that your leg/knee is in the right position.
Good luck ;-)
My little sister had one--she didn't ride much. I hated that saddle. I think it looks cheap and rides poorly, and I've ridden in other "cheap" saddles that were much more comfortable/put you in a better position.
I had the State Line Tack close contact probably 10 years ago which was a similarly priced "cheap" saddle, but to me it was far more efficient. If you absolutely can't buy a higher quality saddle, shop around and try something other than the Kincade!
I agree with Shannon Maye. Don't waste your money. These are cheap saddles designed for summer camps and riding schools -- where the kids are tough on the equipment and it makes more sense to replace the saddles annually. The leather is like cardboard, the stitching is cheap, and the padding is almost nonexistant. For the price of the new Kincade you can get a used Crosby or Collegiate; the leather will be superior and (if well cared for) perfectly broken in.
Kincade is generally considered a low quality saddle. If I were in the market for a saddle, I'd be looking for a used Collegiate or Bates rather than a new Kincade. I'd rather have an older, quality saddle than a new, cheap saddle.
They're terrible. They're cheap, uncomfortable and bad quality. I've ridden in Kincades before, and I hated it. If you're looking for a cheap synthetic saddle, try wintec. They're not too expensive, and a lot better than kincade. If you have a good budget though, try bates or something like that.
They're very cheap and don't last long. I wouldn't waste your money. If you cannot afford a higher end saddle I would go with Wintec. They're cheap enough and you can make it fit any horse. I love mine as a schooling saddle.
Low quality. Look for a higher quality used saddle. Remember that lower quality saddles equals worse for your horse's comfort and possibly his or her back.