When I first bought it, I found the combination
of wide twist (read sitting right down on
the horse's wide back) and the fact that
I have short legs made me uncomfortable. In
fact, I have "bad" knees, and my right one in
particular swelled up like a softball. I was
so disappointed! I could barely walk after
riding in it for a short ride!
So, my husband tried it out
(we had 10 days to return it if we didn't
like it). Well, you guessed it, he loved
it. Even more important, his horse was
estatic! Never had I felt a horse move
more freely. But, after a winter of
exercising which strenghtend my knees, I
started riding in the SS this summer and
now find that it is comfy for me too! I had
held out on making a decision for a new
one though because I love my english kneerolls
(I ride in a Stubben). But, after a lot
of miles this summer, my mare showed up some
white hairs - I don't think the saddle is
at "fault" itself, but her back has changed -
and it no longer fits as well as it did when
i originally had it fitted to her - so, back
to the SS - it doesn't matter if your
horse's back changes - the SS will still fit.
Another small note here - the SS doesn't slip
on either of my horses, I call my mare the
"witherless wonder", and my Stubben always
slips some when I mount if the girth isn't
pretty tight (I'm not real nimble and she
is very tall). One of
the main problems I've had with the Stubben is
the fact that I cannot stabilize it on her
back - she has a wide back (this is the widest
tree they make), but to look at her she appears
lanky - no belly, very little rib spring -
uphills the saddle slides back - indeed, her
shoulders push it back just in normal riding
and it ends up being too far back (it really
does sit way too far back - way behind her
withers) - thus the white hairs. A breast-plate just makes for a tight
breastplate and a saddle still too far back. :*(
The SS amazes me - it just sits there -
doesn't move at all, up or down hills,
with a very loose girth (can see daylight
between girth and horse).
Just my very long .02 worth....
Jude Hall
& Pride's Pure Angel (when do I get mine?)
& Kentucky Redbud (Give me my saddle back!)