Re: [RC] One more thing about saddles! - Cindy Collins
However, saddles like the Reactor Panel or the Arabian Saddle Co's Solstice are excellent.? There are many others, too.? CC
On Feb 16, 2007, at 11:53 AM, Beth Leggieri wrote:
You'll learn if you post on RideCamp, you'll get a LOT of feedback!
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I wrote earlier about Sharon's saddles and in reading the two recent posts about "not" changing to western, I realized I failed to address your issue of switching from one type to another.
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The Saare is very balanced, with the stirrup hanging?straight--not forward (throwing you in a chair seat) and not back as in some endurance brands.? My ex-dressage daughter is playing around with endurance, helping me condition my new horse.? She is now riding in a Saare, which she thought she would not like at all, based on her previous experience with my other endurance saddles?that prevented her from achieving a good seat.? She was in the Saare about one minute before she began commenting that she could easily get her leg on the horse, she was able to find her seat, she could stay balanced, etc.? SO, from her observations as a dressage rider (having sold her Isabella Werth), it would seem that the Saare is a very good transition saddle for your purpose.
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The only other observation I would make about using a dressage/English type saddle if you decide to stay with that type?is to make sure it is for endurance purposes so the weight is distributed?across the horse's back.? The typical dressage saddle is meant for ring?work of shorter duration, and they are brutal on a horse's back when you add miles and trail conditions.
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Good luck.? You've joined what is probably the largest club of all in endurance -- those trying to find the "right" saddle for the horse and the rider.? I used to call it saddle roulette (before finding the Saare).
