Schneiders Saddlery: Where To Buy Horse Saddles & Tack
At Schneider's Saddlery, you'll find a place where the love for horses, horse saddles and horse tack, come together.
It all began with Milton Schneider in 1948, and they’re still here, three generations deep, still fueled by the same passion for horses and riding. Based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Schneider's Saddlery isn't just a company; it's a community where horse lovers find everything they need, from the coziest horse blankets to the most reliable horse saddles for Western riding.
But Schneider's is more than just gear and gadgets. We're a family that celebrates the unique connection between horses and their humans. We're always thinking about how to make that bond stronger, through products that truly make a difference and through our efforts to give back to the equestrian community.
Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, we want you to know Schneider's Saddlery is here for you.
Join us as we explore the best of what we have to offer, all designed with you and your horse in mind. Let's saddle up for a great ride together!
Most Popular Brands At Schneiders Saddlery
Schneider's Saddlery offers saddles from several brands, including American Saddlery, Big Horn, Billy Cook, Cashel, Circle Y, Crates, Dakota, Double J, Fabtron, HR, High Horse, South Bend Saddle Co, Tucker, and Wintec.
Double S Work and Trail Saddle
Are you on the lookout for a top-quality western saddle that won't break the bank? If so, you're in luck! Say hello to the Double S Work and Trail Western Saddle, a perfect blend of quality and affordability. Designed for riders who spend long hours in the saddle, this beauty will make every ride a joy.
Features
Roughout Design: This feature isn't just for show—it gives you an extra 'stick' and security, especially handy when training, working with young or green horses, or when you're out on ranch work. You'll feel more confident with every ride.
Comfortable Suede Seat: Hand-shaped and padded, this saddle offers the perfect balance of comfort and style. It's like sitting on a cloud (a cloud specially designed for horse riding, of course!).
Inclusive Set: This saddle comes complete with a latigo tie strap and off billet. No extra shopping needed—this saddle set is ready to roll!
Billy Royal Classic Work Saddle
Let's get real. Comfort is paramount when you spend hours riding your horse. Not just for you, but for your equine partner as well. The good news is that we've got a saddle that keeps you both in mind!
Features
Padded for Pleasure: Ever dreamt of sitting on a cloud while you ride? With this saddle's generously hand-padded seat, it's a dream come true. You're sure to love the balanced design, which keeps your seat and leg in the perfect position.
Feel the Difference: This saddle is all about connection—with a close contact cutout under the fender, you can sense your horse's movements better, allowing for gentler, more subtle cues.
Easy-Peasy Adjustments: Say goodbye to fiddling with complex adjustments. With easy change fenders, you can tweak your stirrup length in a flash! Plus, the attached stirrup hobbles ensure nothing goes astray.
Flex Fender, Happy Rider: The saddle comes equipped with a flex fender featuring a cutaway design. This innovative feature offers a more comfortable, broken-in feel while reducing knee stress and making it easier to turn your feet.
Dura Tech Synthetic Saddle
Who says horse riding has to be tough on you—or your saddle? Meet the Dura-Tech Synthetic Western Saddle, your perfect partner for trail rides or everyday equestrian activities. It's lightweight, durable, and let's not forget—stylish!
Features
Low-Maintenance Material: This saddle is made from synthetic leather that laughs in the face of abrasions. Rain or shine, it stands up to the elements, making it a truly weatherproof choice.
Fiberglass Tree: The saddle is built on a fiberglass tree, striking the right balance between flexibility and strength.
Versatile Fit: Got a popular horse breed? This saddle is designed with Full Quarter Horse bars, ensuring it fits a majority of the most loved horse breeds.
Everyday Excellence: Whether you're hitting the trails or saddling up for a regular day at the barn, this saddle is your go-to!
Comfortable Seating: Your comfort is our priority. The padded seat is a treat for your backside, while the stainless steel D-rings and hardware add durability.
Lightweight Champion: Weighing in at only 22 lbs., this saddle won't weigh you or your horse down.
Schneider Saddlery
Schneider Saddlery, founded in 1948 and headquartered in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is a third-generation family-run business that has grown to become a significant player in the equestrian retail, wholesale, and e-commerce sectors.
The company was established by Milton Schneider and has since made customer satisfaction its top priority, adapting to the changing needs of the horse care and tack industry while maintaining high-quality standards for its products. The company offers a wide range of products for both horses and riders.
Products
For horses, Schneider Saddlery provides horse blankets, fly sheets, tail bags, horse boots, wraps for injuries and ailments, including innovative ceramic therapy wraps, and other horse care products.
Horse Tack
They also offer a variety of horse tack, including English and Western saddles, bridles, bits, and girths from top brands like Billy Royal, Pinnacle, and Joseph Sterling. Schneider Saddlery caters to breed-specific tack and specialized tack for dressage, trail riding, and other disciplines.
Western Tack and English Tack
For riders, the company carries a selection of English and Western show and training apparel, boots, safety helmets for various disciplines, and Western hats for every occasion. They also provide stable essentials like halters, lead ropes, feed buckets, clippers, horse toys, and salt licks.
Schneider Saddlery is known for its commitment to the equestrian community, emphasizing the unique bond between horse and rider. The company's rebranding efforts, including a new logo and colors, reflect its dedication to celebrating and supporting this bond.
Customer Feedback
The company has received positive customer feedback for the quality of its products, including saddles and other equipment, from customers and forums.However, it's worth noting that there have been criticisms regarding the company's customer service and product quality in some instances.
Charities
Schneider Saddlery also engages in charitable activities, such as partnering with the Make-A-Wish foundation to grant the wishes of young equestrians facing challenging circumstances.
In summary, Schneider Saddlery is a well-established, family-run business that offers a wide range of high-quality products for horses and riders, with a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction and community engagement. Despite some criticisms, the company remains a reputable source for equestrian supplies and equipment.
Where To Buy a Horse Saddle
Deciding where to buy a Western saddle involves considering several factors to ensure you make a choice that suits both you and your horse. Here's a comprehensive guide based on your discipline and the insights provided.
Determine Your Needs Based on Riding Discipline
Since you primarily ride Western, you'll need a saddle designed for Western riding. Western saddles are available for various specific activities within the discipline, such as roping, barrel racing, cutting, reining, and trail riding. Each type has features tailored to the requirements of these activities.
Consider Saddle Materials
Saddles are made from various materials, including leather, synthetics, and different metals for fittings. Leather is traditional, durable, and preferred for its appearance and longevity, but it requires more maintenance. Synthetic materials are lighter, easier to clean, and often cheaper, making them a good choice for some riders.
Fit is Crucial
The fit of the saddle is paramount for both the rider and the horse. A poorly fitting saddle can cause discomfort or even injury. It's essential to take accurate measurements of both the rider and the horse. For the horse, consider the width of the gullet and the shape of the saddle tree to ensure it distributes the rider's weight evenly without causing pressure points. For the rider, saddle size and seat size are important for comfort and control.
New vs. Used Saddles
Decide whether you want a new or used saddle. New saddles come with the latest features and warranties but are more expensive. Used saddles can be more affordable and are already broken in, but you must carefully inspect them for wear and damage, especially the saddle tree.
Where to Buy
Local Tack Shops: Trying saddles in person at a local tack shop is ideal because you can see and feel the saddle, ensuring it meets your expectations. Staff can also provide valuable advice.
Online Retailers: Online shops like Schneider's Saddlery and Horse Saddle Shop offer a wide selection of Western saddles. When buying online, look for retailers with good return policies, detailed product descriptions, and customer reviews. Schneider's Saddlery, for example, offers a variety of Western saddles and tack, emphasizing quality and customer satisfaction
Local Tack Shops: While local tack shops may sometimes have higher prices compared to online retailers due to the costs associated with maintaining a physical storefront, the benefits of personalized service, immediate product access, and community support often outweigh the price difference. Additionally, the opportunity to build a relationship with local experts and contribute to the local economy are valuable aspects of shopping at local tack shops.
Ensure the online shop is reputable and provides sufficient information to make an informed decision.
Try Before You Buy
If possible, try the saddle on your horse before finalizing the purchase. This might be more feasible with local purchases or online shops that offer trial periods or good return policies.
Consider Financing Options
Some retailers offer payment plans or financing options, which can make a high-quality saddle more accessible.
Customer Service and Support
Choose a retailer known for good customer service, which can be invaluable if you encounter issues with your purchase or need advice on saddle care and maintenance.
In summary, buying a Western saddle requires careful consideration of your riding discipline, the materials and fit of the saddle, and whether to buy new or used.
Whether you choose to buy from a local tack shop or an online retailer, ensure you have the opportunity to try the saddle for fit and comfort, and prioritize purchasing from sources that offer strong customer support and service.
Horse Saddle Shop
The Horse Saddle Shop is a prominent online retailer specializing in equestrian equipment, particularly saddles. With a strong reputation for quality and customer service, the shop has sold over 53,000 saddles and is recognized as the USA's #1 saddler.
Saddle Fit
They offer a comprehensive Saddle Fit Guide and an EZ-Saddle Fit Tool to help customers find the perfect saddle for both horse and rider, ensuring comfort and performance.
Their inventory includes a wide range of Western saddles, and they also provide a trade-in program for customers looking to upgrade or exchange their current saddles.
Customer Feedback
Customer feedback highlights the Horse Saddle Shop's commitment to customer satisfaction, with many praising the helpfulness of the staff, the quality of the products, and the efficiency of the shipping process.
Customers from various locations, including international ones like Australia, have had positive experiences with their purchases, noting the excellent condition and beauty of the saddles received.
The shop's return policy and assistance in finding the right saddle fit are also well-regarded, making it a recommended choice for equestrian needs.
Customer Service
The Horse Saddle Shop's dedication to excellence is further supported by customer reviews on platforms like Bark, where the shop's fantastic customer service, unbeatable prices, and quick shipping are frequently mentioned.
The shop's wide selection of high-quality, affordable saddles and other horse products cater to both beginner and experienced riders, making it a great resource for anyone in the equestrian community.
Overall, the Horse Saddle Shop stands out for its extensive selection, customer-focused services, and commitment to quality, making it a highly recommended source for saddles and equestrian equipment.
Schenider’s Saddlery vs Horse Saddle Shop
Schneider's Saddlery and Horse Saddle Shop are both retailers specializing in equestrian equipment, but they have different histories and focuses.
Schneider's Saddlery
Founded: 1948 by Milton Schneider
Location: Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Product Range: Offers a wide variety of horse tack and supplies, including English and Western saddles, bridles, bits, girths, horse boots, wraps, blankets, fly sheets, and horse care products. They also provide breed-specific tack and specialized tack for different disciplines
For Riders: Carries English and Western show and training apparel, boots, safety helmets, and cowboy hats
Reputation: Known for high-quality products and customer service, with a focus on customer satisfaction. However, there have been some criticisms regarding customer service and product quality on product reviews
Community Engagement: Engages in charitable activities and emphasizes the bond between horse and rider.
Horse Saddle Shop
Specialization: Focuses primarily on saddles, offering a comprehensive Saddle Fit Guide and an EZ-Saddle Fit Tool to help customers find the right fit
Customer Service: Known for helpful staff, quality products, and efficient shipping. Positive feedback from customers, including international ones, and a recommended choice for equestrian needs
Trade-In Program: Provides a trade-in program for customers looking to upgrade or exchange their saddles
Reputation: Praised for fantastic customer service, unbeatable prices, and quick shipping. Offers a wide selection of high-quality, affordable saddles and other horse products suitable for both beginner and experienced riders
Comparison
Product Diversity: Schneider's Saddlery offers a broader range of equestrian products beyond saddles, catering to various needs of horse and rider, while Horse Saddle Shop is more specialized in saddles
Customer Feedback: Both companies have received positive feedback for their products and customer service, but Schneider's Saddlery has some reports of customer service issues.
Community Role: Schneider's Saddlery is noted for its charitable activities and community engagement.
Online Presence: Both have a strong online presence and offer online shopping options, with Horse Saddle Shop being particularly noted for its online saddle fitting tools.
Final Thoughts
Schneider's Saddlery is a long-established, family-run business with a wide range of equestrian products and a commitment to customer satisfaction and community involvement. Horse Saddle Shop, on the other hand, is highly regarded for its specialized focus on saddles, customer service, and a trade-in program. Both shops have their strengths and cater to the equestrian community with quality products and services.
Richard Sutherland
RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.orgRichard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.