Re: Stirrup-straight-ugh!

[rides2far@juno.com (Angela C. McGhee)]

On Sat, 10 Jan 1998 21:20:38 -0800 "Raymond O'Donohue" <rayo@cfw.com>
writes:

>easier than sewing,by the way.	Whilst flaming here,I believe 
>Len Brown 
>of Ortho-Flex  has advanced the design history of the saddle by a 
>quantum 
>leap,and I say this as a person who does not like Ortho-Flex saddles 
>(too 
>high,due to the panel system.)Nonetheless,the definitive 
>identification 
>of the problem of saddle-horse dynamics has now been 
>made.Additionally,their recognition of rigging ,girthing,and stirrup 
>problems has been educational for all students of the saddle.I know 
>there 
>have been some service and warranty problems,but that's a different 
>subject. 'Nuff said.
>
Bravo Ray,
I ride an Ortho-Fles Express.
Not sure the panel system is worth a flip, but I do love the way that
saddle is put together.

I ride with my Ortho Flex biothane leathers inside out, and I believe
upside down.  This leaves the uneven side towards my legand the flat side
against my saddle.  Then I situate the buckel just below my knee.  Sounds
horrible doesn't it?  It's perfect.  I never feel it or know it is there.
 I am very short (5') Maybe that has something to do with why I cannot
stand the buckel near my ankle.  There's just not that much leather to
turn.

I live 5 miles fromChattanooga,  where the Big Horn endurance saddles,
and the similar inexpensive  American Saddlery versions are made.  I have
tried to talk to those guys about moving the stirrups back and not
putting 3" leathers on there..  Forget it.  They sell those things faster
than they can make them.  Germany just gobbles them up.  I asked them,
why do you have an Arabian saddle, but then you put "full Quarter Horse
Bars" on you endurance model.  They don't know, but they won't change. 
By the way, they did let me borrow some trees to try on a bunch of
different horses.  The tree that they said was their Arabian tree would
have fit a draft horse.  The tree that supposedly had the Quarter Horse
bars fit the Arabs nicely. ( They were medium build, with a level back) 
When placed on a stocky Appaloosa, it was too narrow in the cantle area.

I think Len has taught us, if it don't work CHANGE IT!  

Right now I've got a fellow who works at American Saddlery  who may make
me an endurance pony saddle.  It will have a 13" western seat, no horn,
english style flaps on the side and english style stirrups.  I believe
I'll get dressage rigging.  I'll let ya know how it turns out.

Angie McGhee, (who is scared to turn her 11 year old daughter and her
welsh pony loose with her Ortho-Flex.  "But Mom, I love it, couldn't you
get YOU another saddle?"