I saw someone questions the cashel soft saddle's use in distance riding. I
have some personal experience in this sport with the Cashel.
It all started in mid July when my cheap synthetic english saddle left
puffiness on my gelding's back after a 30 mile CTR. Therefore, I opted never to
lay that saddle on his bag again. We presumed that since it was a 200 dollar
saddle it was not meant to be ridden in 40 miles a week for a year and a
half. My mentor and I thought it was just wearing out and starting to
cause unpleasant effects to my steed's back.
Therefore, I went on an ebay search frantically looking for a saddle. I've
seen the Cahsels but could only buy it online until one day when I went to the
tack shop and found one there! I was extatic and bought it and they told me I
could return it in good condition and I agreed. I found it to take me a little
while to get used to it. Definitely has a different feel than most saddles I've
ever ridden in before. Only rode in it a few times for 1-2 hr. rides and then
took it with to a 2 day 50 LD. Big Mistake...
Anyhow, This ride was nearly all uphill and downhill. I had no breastcollar
and had no problem with it sliding or anything. And many of these hills we never
thought would end! After the midpoint, the side flaps kept bunching up and
actually wore through the flap causing a hole and causing my legs much
discomfort!
Didn't get a completion on the first day, couldn't get his pulse down. It
was about 95 degrees that day and high humidity but I've never had trouble
before with getting his pulse down in other hot rides. He lingered around 70.
Couldn't get him down for a while. Since it was an LD I didn't have an hr. to
get him down. My time was still running until his pulse came down. Had about 10
minutes til cutoff and didn't make it. He went down to about 68 at our last sec.
to get completion but didn't go down any farther. And his CRI stayed around 70.
His pulse was down within the hr. But I was quite worried.
Anyhow, I don't know if the saddle had anything to do with his pulse.
It is just foam and I had a fleece pad underneath which probably didn't help
either. I just don't think it's breathable? I feel that this is not a saddle to
ride endurance for multiple reasons from my own experience. I really liked it
though. Very comfy.
So I rode bareback for a month. My performance bred paint gelding is quite
a bouncy guy so It was quite a fun month so to say! I had to keep him at a 6 mph
trot max to be able to sit his trot!
Then I bought a freeform and have been happy ever since!
