ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] re: Solstice Saddle
[endurance] re: Solstice Saddle
idj3q@tva.gov ("idj3q@tva.gov")
Tue, 28 May 1996 15:55:17 -0400
>In desparate need of your expert advice. I am finally in a position
>to buy a real saddle but am more confused than ever....For myself, I
>love the Orthoflex Stitchdown, but really worry that it would not be
>good for my horse, Oran. He is a short-backed Arab with a very round
>barrel.
Deb - I have an Express Lite that I like real well. My older horse (who I
mainly bought it for) is a short-backed Arab, relatively narrow, with
prominent withers. It also fits my young horse as well. Both these horses
have strong, level toplines. I have heard of those who have not been
successful using the Ortho-Flex saddles on short-backed horses because of loin
rubbing. However, it appears to me to be a combination of a low-back combined
with close-coupling that is the problem (And maybe it doesn't have to be REAL
low). With that combination, the flex-panel length causes bridging with a
light rider and excessive pressure in the loin and shoulder areas with a
heavier rider. I read on this list that Ortho-flex will reluctantly install
shorter panels to alleviate this problem but I do not personally know anyone
who got this done. Also, I have heard of people actually cutting the back
ends of the panels off to make the length shorter. That took care of the
problem but obviously voided the warranty and made them have to modify their
booties, too...
One friend had an Ortho-Flex Patriot with a large seat (causing the tree to be
longer) that had severe trouble with bridging. She traded it for an Express
Lite with 14" seat that fit her better and now has no problem with bridging on
her low-back horse. She also rode my younger horse in a 50 miler with her
Express Lite and had no problem with him under very critical ride vet
examination. I think that infers that a rider who is able to use a smaller
seat may be more successful using an O-F on a close-coupled, low-backed horse
than someone who needs a larger seat and gets the resulting longer overall
length. As someone said, one has to consider the rider and horse in
combination in choosing and fitting a saddle.
With all that said, I also am quite happy with my other saddle, a Desoto, made
by Marilyn Horstmyer. The tree was fitted to my older horse at a
"mini-clinic" at a ride. It fits both horses exceptionally well, is light,
and is comfortable to me and my horse. It is very well made. Given a choice
I usually prefer riding it because I have used it several years and everything
works. I can get it off and back on at vet checks quite quickly... Also, the
"new" is off of it so I don't worry about getting it scraped or wet or
whatever like I do when riding the O-F with its stitchdown seat, floral border
tooling, two-tone dying job, expensive cost, etc.
Hope this helps...
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Dave Bennett - Ben Amil & Southern Rock
Chickamauga, Georgia
e-mail: idj3q@tva.gov
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