Big Horn Riders - 3 Questions

["Tina Rushing" <tinarushing@coastside.net>]

I recently acquired a slightly used Big Horn endurance saddle for use as a
back up.  To those who ride a Big Horn:  1) do you find that the tree
doesn't have a lot of padding?  Have you experienced pressure problems over
the loins?  When I put my hand under the cantle while riding I can feel the
pressure of the tree over the loin - although my horse has not been sore;
and 2) that sucker is slippery!  My young horse is on the frisky side of
wild and unpredictable.  Is there an off-the-rack seat cover that fits this
saddle well?  A little more security when she takes to bucking down a hill
would be helpful.

Other than these concerns it seems like a decent, inexpensive saddle and
it's comfortable to ride.  The center rigging was bizarre to me initially
but now I'm accustomed to it.  My endurance saddle has standard rigging and
if I get a touchy girth situation I figure I can swap saddles.  I didn't get
a girth with the saddle and am using an old western string girth.  3) The
ads say the stock girth is 'hospital felt'; what is that, and is it any
good?

Best regards,
Tina Rushing  tinarushing@coastside.net
El Granada, CA