Imported trooper saddle from the Middle East.
Imported Trooper saddle from India & Pakistan cleverly disguised to look like a M&W trooper saddle.

I have worked on several of these over the last few years here are my observations.

  • The frames are the weak link with thin & poor quality steel will break in a short time. Some within weeks of purchase.
  • The webbing stretched too tight causing it to bounce like a trampoline. 
  • The boards are hand whittled, usually uneven or different shape.
  • The paint on the frames never seems to dry.
  • Famous water buffalo urine tanned leather will not last. Any washing will reverse the tanning process.
  • No options, color choices, or custom work.

Many Trooper saddle manufactures won't work on these imports or sell you the parts to fix them.

 

Buy A professional made Trooper Saddle at Tarpinhill.com

 

The tab on back of the seat is sometimes turned down, lightly sanded finish, & no builder stamp or mark is a  indicator of an imported trooper saddle.

 
Pictured above is an import found on eBay:

This is a brand new trooper or field trial saddle.  I bought several of these saddles because I thought they were so nicely made.  I have not been able to find a name of the manufacturer on them.

Walking horse people use this kind of saddle quite a bit when they use their horses for field trials.  There are lots of little rings and snaps to be able to tie off things to (field trial folks tie dogs and lines there).  The seat is 18" long.  The riggings are western.  The stirrups are covered.  The color is brown.

I use this type of saddle to trail ride in.  It is extremely comfortable for horse and rider.  This saddle has a suspended tree to do a better job of load balancing on the horses back.  I have ridden mine in an endurance race for 50 miles and my horse did not come up sore from it.  It has a lot of padding to make the seat very cushy for the rider.

This type of saddle fits walking horses and other leaner breeds of horses really well.

Whatever your use for it, this saddle is a great choice!!

How to spot a cheap import?

  • No Warranty, or return policy.
  • Try to bend the frames, they will flex.
  • It will not have a name or maker stamped.
  • Seller is unsure of where they are made. Some tell you they are Amish Made.
  • The leather will be low quality urine tanned water buffalo. Many times the surface will be lightly sanded attempting to look like top grain leather.
  • The hardware will be hand made & lightly plated to resemble brass.

 

Notice the tab on back of the seat turned up.  I hope your limber......

 

XXsaddlery
shailendra srivastava
factory address and head office, correspondence  
84/63 plot no.120 tejab mill campus anwargang 
kanpur -208003
phone -091512-22354710
fax   --09151225468780
mobile -091512-31015280
branch office
2nd floor b-124,bk dutt colony ,lodhi road karbala new delhi -3
near race course -

 

 

Typical scenario:

Imported Saddle $425.00 on ebay, Shipping to you $30.00 You ride it a few times & the rear frame breaks.

 

Shipping to a saddle repair shop $30.00, rear frame $50.00, Labor $40.00, adjust webbing $20.00, saddle shop suggests the stirrup leathers & rigging be changed because of cheap leather $50.00, return shipping $30.00

 

Good Deal $650.00 you saved: nothing

 
State of the art leather tannery from the middle east.