[HairOfTheDog]

Would be smaller and lighter... less pad. I am impressed that ecurbh's new synthetic western saddle is really light compared to other western saddles, it still fits only with the big thick pad, and it is hotter.

If you got a forward seat english saddle you'd probably find something there to hang on to, and since I only ride trail anyway, I leave my stirrups longer than I would for a hunt-seat class. Easier on old knees on a long trail. ;~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

OOOKKKKK, so whats a forward seat english saddle? :)

Heather, the girl that comes rides with me on Wed. has a synthetic saddle. They are nice and light weight. I thought about one of those too. That's what Cindy has. Just leaning towards English for the fun of something differnt now tho.

Heather does jumping at a stable she rides at. But she only get to ride there an hour a week. All her mother and dad can afford. She rides Rocky and we've been teaching her to run barrels. He's a great barrel horse. I think I've about got her converted to liking western riding better:)