Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Saddles

Jen,
Although I don't have many AERC miles, I do have ALOT of trail miles, most
at endurance  conditioning pace/lengths, on several horses. Plus I'm a
confirmed saddle FREAK so I feel qualified to discuss this!! Plus I ride
western, hunt-seat and dressage so I ride alot of different saddles. I agree
with Andrea not to buy cheap LEATHER saddles. They generally don't hold up,
the leather is icky, their uncomfortable, and, well, they just LOOK
bad!!(nobody wants that) I disagree with her  somewhat on the english
saddles. I have 2 all-purpose english saddles on both ends of the $$
spectrum(Stubben and Wintec) that I have ridden to death on different horses
and I just LOVE THEM!! I've not had a balance problem, or fit problems. I
have never had the breastcollar dee's come out either, but I am not riding
in the mountains. I think it just depends on what YOU like, and , of course,
what will fit your horse. A forward-seat/jumping saddle probably would not
work for most people. Some people like dressage saddles. I personally prefer
a deep-seated saddle.(again, not riding in the mountains)I just bought a
Barbier dressage saddle and LOVE it, but trust me, this one will NEVER see
the outside of an arena!!! Again, not to be picky Andrea, but I wouldn't
trash the Abettas. I have one that fits my Saddlebred just great. It is a
wide tree and I used to use it on an Arab I no longer have.It fit him great
but I hated it because the stirrrups were too far forward and ,well, let's
say it was NOT very comfortable. We called it "The Crotchbuster". So this
year I got the heavy EZ ride stirrups for it and now the stirrups hang
straight under me(which I like, dressage thing again!)Plus I invested in a
JMS(insert ad here)Merino Sheepskin full cover. I'm not kidding, I think
everyone should get one. I don't know HOW I lived without one for so long.
So my saddle-theory is: get a saddle that fits your horse(not always easy)
and cover it with Merino! Suzanne(ashamed to admit how many saddles I own!!) 

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