THE SADDLE FILES / MODEL REVIEW
High Horse Big Springs 6862 review: measure the skirt before choosing the deep seat
The Big Springs has persuasive deep-seat and all-day comfort accounts. One owner measured a skirt nearly three inches longer than the listing, so its apparent compactness needs checking on the offered saddle.
In the saddle: at a glance
RIDER PRIORITIES / EQUIPMENT / OWNER EVIDENCE
KEY FEATURES
- 5-inch cantle
- Quilted double-padded seat
- Smooth leather finish
- Adjustable in-skirt rigging
YOUR RIDING PRIORITIES
- Consider it for
- Trail riders who prefer a deep quilted seat and high cantle
- The tradeoff
- The listed short skirt differs from one delivered measurement.
- Before committing
- Request an actual skirt measurement.
PROS
- The deep padded seat has useful ridden comfort support.
- Owners appreciate the leather and early build quality.
CONS
- An owner’s skirt measurement differs materially from the table.
- Brass appearance and supplied equipment can need attention.
Trail-saddle assessment
Research judgments · 5-point scale · Horse fit is not scored
Specific all-day and two-year high-cantle comfort accounts.
Custom long leathers do not establish standard adjustment or lift.
Leather praise with a wipeable hardware-finish complaint.
Useful rigging feedback, with stirrup and lining changes qualified.
How to read these bars
Research judgments from original owner accounts; horse fit, health effects and load approval are not scored.
1: serious shortcomings; 2: drawbacks outweigh benefits; 3: mixed experience or setup tradeoffs; 4: repeated positives with caveats; 5: strong consistent evidence without a material unresolved limitation. Not rated means evidence is insufficient. These scores are not averaged into an overall star rating.
Read the original owner accountsA 23-inch listing is a question to verify
The skirt discrepancy matters because short length is part of the listing’s appeal. Obtain a photograph with a measurement on the offered unit, identifying seat size and any custom build.
Two lengths in the evidence
Merchant table
23-inch skirt length; 13½-inch depth.
One delivered saddle
Owner measured almost 26 inches and liked the extra length.
Separate the high-cantle seat from the custom package
The 5-inch cantle and quilted double padding explain the model’s interest for a rider seeking a deep seat. A recent Extra Wide order also had extra-long leathers, while a much older owner changed the lining. Neither modification establishes standard equipment.
Confirm before the trial
- Actual skirt length and seat/tree combination.
- Standard or custom fender length.
- Felt lining and supplied trail stirrups.
- Finish around brass hardware.
Decide with your riding position, not another rider’s size
One satisfied owner preferred a 15-inch seat after finding a 15½-inch saddle too roomy. That is a personal comparison rather than a sizing conversion. The Mineral Wells 6812 offers a lower listed cantle and a different skirt specification if the Big Springs feels too enclosing.
Pros & Cons Analysis
Pros
- One rider describes all-day trail use and soft leather from the start; another likes the deep sitting position. A two-year owner particularly values the high cantle, although that owner changed the stirrups and lining.
- A recent custom buyer praises quality, and another reports a soft, attractive saddle. The evidence spans different orders and does not establish that custom long leathers or upgraded lining come with a standard purchase.
Cons
- The table lists 23 inches, but one buyer measured almost 26. That buyer preferred the extra length; a rider shopping specifically for a short-backed horse may not. Ask for a measurement of the actual saddle.
- The same owner reports wipeable yellow marks associated with the hardware finish. Another replaced the stirrups and felt lining. These are individual maintenance and equipment preferences, not proof that all Big Springs saddles need those changes.
Measure first, then settle into the Big Springs
Your next ride
Shortlist the 6862 for its deep-seat comfort evidence if that position suits your riding.
The listed short skirt differs from one delivered measurement.
High Horse Big Springs 6862 trial notes
Use these as reminders during your trial or seller conversation.
- Request an actual skirt measurement.
- Confirm seat/tree availability and fender length.
- Inspect lining, stirrups and brass finish.
When this recommendation changes
Shortlist the 6862 for its deep-seat comfort evidence if that position suits your riding. Make actual skirt length, leg adjustment and supplied lining part of the decision. A favorable seat trial does not remove the need to resolve the dimensional discrepancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rely on the listed 23-inch skirt?
Confirm it on the actual saddle. One owner measured almost 26 inches. Seat size, custom configuration and the measurement method were not fully resolved in that account.
Technical Specifications
| Model / scope | High Horse Big Springs 6862 Merchant |
|---|---|
| Intended use | Western trail Merchant |
| Seat sizes | Table 13–17 in; selector also offers 18 in Merchant |
| Seat construction | Quilted double-padded Merchant |
| Cantle height | 5 in Merchant |
| Tree construction | Construction not documented Merchant |
| Tree / bar options | Regular/Wide/Extra Wide; table allows special-order 13/14 XW, selector limits XW to 15/16/17 Merchant |
| Published gullet width | Not documented in the retained exact-model listing Merchant |
| Main materials | Smooth leather; felt-lined skirt Merchant |
| Rigging | Adjustable-position in-skirt with rear dee Merchant |
| Skirt length | 23 in table; one owner reports almost 26 in on their saddle Merchant; Customer reviews |
| Skirt drop | 13½ in Merchant |
| Swell width | 12 in Merchant |
| Horn dimensions / type | 3¼-in neck; 2¼-in cap Merchant |
| Published saddle weight | Approximately 30 lb Merchant |
| Hardware | Brass Merchant |
| Included equipment | Not documented in the retained exact-model listing Merchant |
| Stirrup system / footbed | Trail stirrups Merchant |
| Equipment attachment points | Clip rings and strings Merchant |
ALL CATEGORIES
Find your riding style.
Explore saddle categories for the way you and your horse ride.
