Ridecamp: [RC] Need help finding a good saddle

Sharon Kenney sharon1359@xxxxxxxxxxx
Hi,

I apologize, this email isn't directly related to the sport of Endurance - I'm not an Endurance rider.  (Maybe someday...)  But, I'm turning to Ridecamp for help, because you guys know about comfortable saddles!

I currently ride in an Aussie saddle from Down Under Saddlery, but I think I need to change to something else.  The forward position of the stirrups is bothering my knees, and I've developed a shin splint in my left knee since I started using this saddle.  Now, I have to switch to a saddle that puts my heels back under my hips.

I need:
Dee rings on both sides
Long girth billets
Comfortable seat

Used would be fine.  I prefer brown but would take black.

My horse is a 15h, 850# Arab/Rocky Mountain Horse with moderate withers.  I tried a standard medium tree English saddle on him, it was close but didn't fit him quite right (slid side-to-side!).  I think he might need a medium-wide but I'm really not sure.  SOOO, I'd either need to buy a saddle that could be adjusted for him from a wither tracing, or one that I could return if it didn't fit.

And here's the clincher (I'm sure you heard it coming!).  I really don't have that much money to spend on this.

I was hoping someone could give me ideas on entry-level endurance saddles.  I'm not an endurance rider, so I don't need anything high-tech or anything, but I do want to be comfortable on my 25mi trail rides.  A dressage saddle would work if it had dee rings!!

Or, does someone on Ridecamp have a used saddle that might fit the bill?  A training saddle from way back?

Thanks for reading,
-Sharon Kenney


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