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Posted on 07/14/2005 3:23:55 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!
I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and Becky pings everyone most mornings. Let Becky (Paynoattentionmanbehindthecurtain) and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.
So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.
Previous threads:
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - thread ONE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread THREE!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FOUR
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FIVE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SIX
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
I've always thought I like to have a synthetic saddle for trail rideing, and always figured if I ever had to get another one that is the route I'd go.
While we were in TX tho:) I saw a saddle that I would at least like to try first if it comes to getting a new one. I could kick myself now, but they had them there for anyone to try. I thought about it, but I was afraid I would really like it:), and I didn't think I really needed it at that time.
When we had the tack demonstration they showed us a video of people who were using it. It has some new thing that R.E. (Martha's husband) had designed and Circle Y Saddle company is making about how the fenders are attached and set that help keep a riders feet in postion. It helps to keep you from getting your feet behind you and your body falling forward. The video showed several riders getting throwed off going around barrels, or just really getting out of postion, then they switched to this saddle and the improvement was very noticeable in their very next run.
Now I realize they were selling this saddles:), but I wish now I had tried one so I at least knew how they felt.
Here is a link to her web site. You will have to click on the saddle and it will take you to the saddle page. The saddle page link wouldn't work. The saddles in the pictures are all the more expensive model. I'd just want a plain one,I think the round skirted one at the very top where there are 2 in the box is the one I'd at least like to find in this area and go sit in. I don't think to many saddle shops let you put them on your horse and ride in them before buying, but I could sit in it.
The plain ones, compared to what I paid for my saddle, was not to bad price wise. I've been told my saddle now would be $2500 and these saddle were like $1200. With all the time I have to save I may go that route IF I can find one that I could at least sit in. Or I might be able to find a used one.
http://www.marthajosey.com/Western%20Store%20Directory.htm
Becky
What a shame that your plans went to pot. I can imagine how disapointed the kids were too. Have you already spoken to the owner? Maybe for that kind of money she might let you have a key? Hope so. : )
That really sucks.
Maybe they will give you a make up day for free...they should.
Becky
Oh my, Hoping it's not serious.
Becky
I asked them for a key when we first signed up to use the arena but they didn't seem comfortable with that. Maybe if they see that the caretaker can't be responsible enough to leave the gate open they'll give me one.
I agree, they should offer me a make-up day.
Thanks. I think they are treating it as serious so it doesn't become serious. I'll know more after I get up there.
What to pay for a saddle is as all over the board as what to pay for a horse! And I am particularly unqualified to give advice on western saddles.
I guess if anything, I'd recommend buying a saddle with the horse standing there, so you have the best chance of getting one that is really the best shape for Harley's build, because there's a lot of variations in the way they fit.
Yeah, I'd love to find a dealer of these saddles so I can see how they fit him. That's what I like about our local saddle shop. When I bought this one, I took Belle over there and they set trees on her till they found the best fit. I could do that if I just have my saddle remade,, but,, the problem with that is, I've been told no 2 trees are exactly the same so I don't know if putting the leather from my saddle onto a different tree would screw the fit up. Those are things I have to look into before decideing.
Becky
We got lucky that ecurbh's saddle we fitted for Bay seems to fit Cyn without her showing any sign of soreness. Their backs couldn't be more different.
Well, the trees these saddles are built on are built to fit most quarter horses. They are generally all ~about~ the same, close enough. That's why I was surprised when I was getting suspious that it wasn't fitting Harley right. I think the break was just getting worse and worse, till it reached the point it has.
Of course with all the problems I've had with horses, I should have checked the saddle. On a regular basis tho, I check to see if the horses are soring up in their backs. Part of being CTR rider:). It's one of those things that they really mark you off on, so you learn to check. I've never had a problem, so it just never dawned on me to check my saddle...does anyone routinely check to see if their tree is broke??? I had the darn thing in last year when I put those new fenders on it after Okie ripped one off. I'm a bit surprised/pissed that they didn't catch it. I feel sure it was broke then. Of course to give them the benefit of the doubt, I don't know how what they do to switch out fenders, how much they have t take apart to get them on, and they were'n't looking for a broke tree. But I think it would be nice when a saddle shop gets a saddle in for repair they look it over, just because they may be able to make some money finding other thing that could be fixed.
I'm sure, since they know me so well over there, they never dreamed I could possibly have a saddle with a broke tree:), after all I'm just a lowly trail rider:), not hard riding roper, or a rider of unbroke/rank horses..
Mack thinks if I get a new one I should just keep this one as a testimony saddle to the riding I did in it:), Might be a nice conversation piece on a stand in my living room. Charlie says I'd have it for spare parts...LOL.
Charlie is pretty good, and likes working on stuff like that, and they like him enough they could check any work he did. I may buy a tree and let him try to rebuild it, That's an option. Give him something to do this winter. If it didn't work, he couldn't do it, or the leather didn't fit, I'd only be out the price of the tree. Of course I don't know how much that is yet. Stanley, the saddle guy, wasn't at his shop to look up the price when he saw my saddle. They are going to take it back t the shop next week where he can look up the price of what I'll need.
Becky
I would keep the saddle too. But if it can be a good project for Charlie, that's just as good!
I had a lot of sentimental attachment to my old Stubben saddle, I had it for many many years... I kept it all the years I didn't even have a horse, it stood there reminding me to get back to it.
But... I got practical, it was worth $250 on trade in, and ecurbh and I didn't have a lot to spend when we were looking for his. I hope it went somewhere where it will be used well. It had some wear left, it just didn't fit Bay.
We've done a lot of pressing on Cyn to see if she was sore, both right after unsaddling, and the next day... she seems great.
Mack said to ask you, and I quote:), "How the hell are you posting riding in a car?"
Becky
I think generally speaking, most horses will do fine in most saddles, unless you have something special to deal with, like Bays very high withers, or some major flaw in a horses confirmation. Even when I had an Arab, my quarter horse saddles did fine on them.
That is something else I need to remember to ask about, what the trade in value of my saddle is as is. I doubt very much if anything.
Becky
Yeah - Bay's high wither and sway back makes him a custom job... The saddle we bought for him was an Arab tree, which may be set at a narrower angle... Though most of the Arabs I've had have not been narrow... Bay is wide as an old couch! If we'd have bought ecurbh a QH... we might have had trouble with fit. Not sure really, besides shorter skirting around the loin and hip, what the differences are between a QH saddle and an Arab saddle.
The amount of 'rock' varies, meaning how much curve is built into it to make room for big wither and shoulder, or curve of the back. If you place the saddle on a flat stand, does it rock back and forth or does sit it flat. ecurbh's has more 'rock' in it than even other arab trees they had at the shop. It's one of the considerations we dealt with to fit Bay. But it seems to work on Cyn too, though she has a moderate wither and a very straight back.
I'm waiting on a phone call now to know when to go up to the hospital... - nevermind... just got it. I'm gonna go now, back later.
We will keep you and your brother in our thoughts today.
Becky
That's a pretty cool looking saddle.
One place that has good prices on saddles is Bucks County Saddlery. I've bought 3 kid saddles from them, 2 new and 1 used and I have no complaints. They have a good website, too.
Hey thanks I'll check it out.
Becky
So how was your ride?
Becky
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