Re: RC: Saddle problems/questions (long)

["Tamara Habberley" <tamarahabberley@hotmail.com>]

Haha

a change from carbs to my favourite topic good old saddles.

I ride in the UK so can not comment in depth on wetsern saddles. However one 
of my friends rides her 14.2 hh Arab in a western type endurance saddle the 
bighorn. It is plenty wide enough for her horses back and spreads her weight 
well. Her horse is small shes about 5'7''.The only change she made to it was 
to have the girth and rigging changed from centre fire with the loop to the 
back of the saddle to 7/8 rigging  I think, as I say Im not up on western).

I have had variously 16 1/2 meduim gp outgrown by horse the tree split! A 
dressage saddle which worked well for me and for horses shoulder movemnt but 
was to narrow and an endurance GP fitted by a master saddler which was way 
to narrow and caused serious back injury.

I changed to a sports saddle imported at great cost to the UK which helped 
my horse to compete whilst his back healed. Unfortunalty its way to wide for 
me and so is now for sale .

Iv now moved onto a wintec GP. I can not tell you how happy I am with this 
little saddle. The gullet ( under the saddle) is wide and the panels are 
wool flocked and again wide to increase load bearing. I can change the 
gullet plate to widen or narrow the saddle as well. the tree is a very thin 
laminate polymer and I can feel my horses back just as well as I could in 
the treeless sports with an equlizer pad under it.

It is also rider friendly as I can sit deep and centred in it and the seat 
is padded  so its very easy to sit at all paces. The saddle looks smart and 
has been mistaken for leather. All for the grand sum of £245 including 
fitting. I have only tried it on long hacks so far, will try on CTRs next 
season. The only down side is going on a guilt trip about liking a cheap 
saddle compared to the many £100's spent on my other saddles!

Good luck with your saddle hunt.

Tamara
>From: "Sarah McIntosh" <smcintos@rapidnet.net>
>To: "ridecamp" <ridecamp@endurance.net>
>Subject: RC:  Saddle problems/questions (long)
>Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 14:03:14 -0800
>
>Hi everyone:
>
>Here are some saddle questions, to give y'all a break from the ole Carbo 
>Debates (you go ti!)
>
>OK.  Saddle #1 is western style endurance with semi-qh bars.  too narrow 
>behind the withers, get white hairs there..  Sell saddle #1.
>
>Buy Saddle #2 western style endurance with qh bars.  saddle doesn't even 
>last two months - not exactly sure what the problem is here.  seems too 
>wide maybe too curved of a tree?  Had to start using britching as saddle 
>wants to go right over shoulders on STEEP downhils.  White hairs develop 
>about 2/3 towards back of saddle, on either side of spine.
>
>What are the differences between semi-qh and qh bars?  Does anybody know?  
>also, i am so frustrated looking at on-line tack stores and used ads 
>everywhere because a lot of ads don't specify the tree type.  I know Ralide 
>is a type of plastic(y) tree, but does Ralide make different widths????
>
>Saddle #2 is a fiberglass wrapped wood tree and it seems very rigid.  Are 
>these generally more rigid than a Ralide tree or is it just my imagination? 
>  What the heck is a  Pro tuff tree?
>
>I am so desperate to find a saddle that fits Saffy I am looking at ANY type 
>of saddle.  Eng, West, Aussi, treeless.  I have considered a Softrider 
>treeless saddle, but wonder if I weight too much (160 lbs).  I am even 
>(GASP) considering an english saddle.
>
>My main concern with English saddles is the reduced weight bearing surface. 
>  Is this a major factor?
>
>I like the look of the Wintecs and they have a lifetime guarantee on the 
>tree.  Also you can change the gullet width so this is appealing.
>
>I have an Arab.  does anyone use a saddle with ARAB bars?  Do these saddles 
>really fit Arabs?  Anyone try the Tenessean saddles?  They look nice, but 
>who knows if they would fit.
>
>Sorry this is so long, hope you guys can give me some suggestions.  I am 
>beyond frustrated right now.
>
>Sarah & Saffy,
>Abbotsford, BC  (where it rains and rains and rains some more)
>
>

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