Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I ride in one too, cause I like english, but they aren't secure enough for 
me and my boy. So far it has worked for 4 hour trailrides at modest 
speeds.It is an Longreach Endurance by Outback saddlery, it is supposed to 
be a copy  of the  Syd HIll enduranc esaddle.I love Syd HIll, just can't 
afford them ., I got it on scratch and dent clearance for about 575$ usually 
goes for 900$ or so. It weighs 16 lbs, has only one flap ,is about 4" 
shorter than most aussies,I have to cut off the excess length from aussie 
pads to fit it. It is rigged english, and has closed cell foam panels 
instead of stuffing. It is only 23" long and is "shorter" than my  18" 
wintec 2000  whidh is about 26' length (which is for sale).It actually is 
similar in shape and flap length and rigging  as my Wintec Almost the same, 
except it has poleys.I also use 'covered wintec webbers' as the fenders thay 
sent are too awkward  to change easily and they are too stiff for me , I 
like more flexible leathers.
 I believe" Australian connection"  on the Ridecamp  Vendor list has some 
Syd Hill  endurance saddels made similiar (probably much better quality, but 
my leather seems decent quality).
I believe they sell a "coloma" or "somerset". I was oggling  them, but the $ 
aren't in the picture now. I also wanted comfort, and the seat on mine is 
the only seat I have sat in that doesn't hurt my bones, I do use a good pad. 
Right now I am experimenting with a  foam panel pad I made sewed to a wool 
western pad, cut down and bound to fit,over a tacky tack pad, which I used 
exculsively for a year, but need more padding  than the tacky tacks have.
  I think  you just try what works, I just read someone  who had a custome 
2400$ saddle that caused galls, so at lest mine will be cheaper galls ,if 
they happen!!!(BTW, I made may own impression pad and it seems to not have 
any pressure points, but then I haven't done 50 yet. . . .


> From: "Jonni Jewell" <jonnij@xxxxxxxx>
> To: "terry banister" <terrybanister@xxxxxxxxxxx>,<ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [RC]   [RC] re: Alice- how to keep your seat
> Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 12:45:47 -0500
>
> Oh, so sorry.....let me try again. The original Aussie saddles, that most
> people refer to as "Aussie saddles" have very large flaps, that come very
> far down on most horses (especially smaller Arabians) have a tendency to
> cover way to much surface area of the animal, and thus, can hold in
> excessive heat. And, because of that large amount of thick leather, they 
> are
> known to be very heavy. There are now models that some of the companies are
> making that are designed with endurance in mind, even some with western
> fenders instead of the large flaps. But,  I would venture a guess that in
> reality, you will not see a huge number of them at rides, especially with
> high mileage riders, as they have found the issues I noted. Weight, fit, 
> and
> too much leather covering the horse.. (Oh, don't see many western saddles 
> in
> high mileage horses and riders either) BTW, no saddle brand is perfect on
> all horses, without some soring in individual cases. Even "treeless or
> flexible" tree saddles can, and HAVE made horses sore. (we won't talk about
> the damage to horses my Orthoflex has done)  I just happen to have seen 
> that
> many who try Aussie saddles, end up with a saddle that does not fit well 
> for
> the mileage this sport demands.
> Jonni
>
> >>> Clarification: The Polleys on an Aussie saddle are the "ears" that 
> stick
> up  from the pommel on top of the saddle to catch the rider, and they don't
> "cover" any part of the horse. Also, there are trail models and there are
> endurance models. Just as an  expensive Western saddle is too heavy for
> endurance, so are the Aussie  models that were not designed for that use.
> Everyone has seen MANY sore-backed horses from rigid-tree saddles of every
> make, including Endurance brands.<<<<<
>
>
> ============================================================
> It is how we "feel" deep inside that matters, cause each of us knows the
> truth, regardless of how we try make it complicated.  It just isn't.
> ~ Frank Solano
>
> ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/
>
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They're athletes! This is a partnership between horse and rider - we don't
have any jockeys out there, just pals and partners. We'd allow a rider with
a broken foot, a sore back and a nasty cold to compete - but we would never
let a horse in a similiar condition hit the trail.
~ Dr. Barney Flemming DVM

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