Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Linda, the American-Flex does NOT have a flexible tree, but it DOES 
have flexible panels a la Ortho Flex.

Lynne

On Apr 9, 2005, at 12:42 PM, Linda Cowles wrote:

> Hi Julie,
> ?
> I looked into selling American saddles... they aren't as well made as 
> Big Horn, but have a nice variety of styles.
> ?
> Julie, I'm posting this back to the group because it's good 
> information for everyone. I'll be in your area more often now, and 
> would be delighted to help you with saddle fitting.
> ?
> Folks, the problem with any "flex tree" type saddle is that it's 
> essentially a fixed tree with semi-flexible inserts between the cantle 
> and the pommel. The amount of "flex" varies depending on the 
> manufacturer. I have a bare flex tree (from Big Horn), and will be 
> taking it to rides with me so that people can begin to understand it's 
> limits & applications.
> ?
> Saddle fit problems?usually occur 1) in the withers, 2) across the 
> shoulder area, 3) the length of the back?or 4)from side to side across 
> the back.
>  ?
> The most typical fit problem is in the shoulder; TB's have a narrow 
> shoulder (usually needing a semi-QH type tree), and stocky QH's and 
> Arabs have a broad shoulder (typically fit with a Full QH Bar tree). 
> Other back?characteristics that impact saddle fit are a pitched back 
> angle on TB's (no fun to ride bareback!) as compared to the flatter 
> back of an Arab or the very flat back of a stocky QH.
>  ?
> None of these problems are resolved by Flex trees. Flex Trees DO NOT 
> help saddles fit a wider variety of horses!!! To the contrary, if they 
> don't fit, they can cause even more damage to the horses back.
> ?
> A flex tree may have?some benefits if the tree fits a particular horse 
> well... but a treed saddle always has to be a very close fit.
> ?
> Later! Linda

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