Re: Saddles - what's this one?

["Cora" <bandc@teknett.com>]

Really should look into Advantage a bit more....they work....Cora
----- Original Message -----
From: Marlene Moss <marlene.moss@wcom.com>
To: <Ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 9:47 AM
Subject: RC: Saddles - what's this one?


> Ok, I've got a saddle that I now just love, but I have no idea what it
> really is, so maybe this discussion will provide some ideas.
>
> I got it from someone who got it off eBay and the only name I have is
> Australian outrider.  I've done some searching and found nothing.  I did
> find a couple saddle called outriders, but they looked like the typical
> Australian saddles and this one does not.
>
> I bought it because I have a wide mare and it is definitely wide - and it
> was cheap and my husband is getting quite good at modifying saddles.
>
> Basically, the bottom of the saddle is western with a square skirt, but
it's
> short enough for my fairly short backed mare.  It fits her perfectly (a
> little too wide, so my thin supracor won't work by itself).  But the seat
of
> the saddle is the most perfect fitting dressage seat I've ever sat in.
Nice
> and deep, narrow twist and overall seems so much more stable because of
the
> wide base.
>
> The stirrup bars were in a horrendous position - almost in front of the
> pommel.  So we moved them back.  It has a centerfire girth which at first
> seemed to cause problems with slipping forward.  But a thicker pad and
> arranging the girth as far forward as possible has seemed to fix this.  We
> did crupper training which I'll use just in case though.
>
> There was also another set of girth straps way forward.  They really
didn't
> make any sense - too far forward to use alone, but not far enough forward
to
> use with the centerfire.  Very bulky straps too and not in a good position
> for my leg.  I removed them before even trying the saddle (maybe not smart
> in hindsight, but I don't really want them back).
>
> The saddle has tons of places for tying, is working really well with both
my
> pommel and cantle bags.
>
> Now I'm sure this saddle isn't from some well known manufacturer because
the
> leather is very cheap.  But it's decently made (and we've taken the entire
> thing apart!)  I'm really thinking that if I designed a saddle, I would go
> along these lines - nice wide base to distribute weight and the perfect
> dressage seat.  I think it wouldn't work well with someone taller though -
> lots of weird bulk that would be uncomfortable under the thigh, but comes
> just behind my knee.  I'm not quite 5'3".
>
> I used a Synergist last year with mixed results.  I love the saddles, very
> comfortable and convenient with all the endurance packs.  Extremely well
> made and I just loved the position it put me in.  But I had to be very
> careful to keep my legs relaxed when going down hills or my knees just
> killed me.  Don't think that was anything wrong with the saddle, probably
> just me.  I had the saddle adjusted to fit my horse when she very strongly
> indicated it didn't fit her and as far as anyone could tell, it should
have
> then fit her great.  But she still complained and I'm short and wanted
> something lighter so found it a good home.
>
> I tried going with my dressage saddle which my mare loves.  But not enough
> area to distribute weight and she got pretty sore.
>
> I have a Stonewall that fits my young horse and technically fits my mare -
I
> just know it wouldn't work for her.  It's a weird saddle that I mostly
like,
> even though it's a little wide for me.  But I think it won't last through
> the muscle development this boy will have this year and will probably have
> to sell it.
>
> I tried a SS that someone loaned me.  It took some getting used to - I
would
> definitely move stirrups back, get the raised cantle w/Cheyenne roll and
> higher pommel.  I liked the feel, I could feel my young horse bunching up,
> just before he gets stupid, a lot like bareback.  But I worried about the
> weight distribution even though I'm not too heavy.  I went back and forth,
> things I liked, things I didn't.  If I ever find one cheap with all the
> options I want, I'll jump on it.
>
> There's several brands out there that I want to try.  I love the look of
> Advantage saddles.  I would try a Synergist DSS, but worry about the
weight
> distribution for my mare, but probably not most other horses (she really
is
> picky!)  If I ever win the lottery I'll check out Reactor Panel.
>
> So if anyone has any ideas what my saddle might be, I'd love to know.
Gotta
> be able to find it's replacement if the leather falls apart!
>
> Marlene
>
>
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