[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:)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

LOL, just noticed, 2 dogs:)

Well ladies, I HAVE get out of here for awhile and do my bible study for tomorrow.

Great thread, I'm really going to enjoy it. Thanks:)

Might check back in tonight, but another busy day tomorrow so I need to get to bed.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Forward seat is a jumping saddle.... probably is what Heather's got. It has a higher cantle than some others, deep seat with a high enough 'pommel' that you can grab in there with your fingers if you need... and knee rolls that help hole your leg in position.

Here's mine, synthetic, only weighs about 10 pounds.

Took that pic during a lunch break on a trail ride... And though you wouldn't want to take a chance with most horses grazing with a long line they can get caught in.... Bay is unusually quiet about that kind of thing. If he gets caught up in it, he just stands there till I fix it. I wouldn't leave him like this unattended < /trail safety disclaimer >

[AnAmericanMother]

Forward seat English saddles -

The tree or wooden frame on which the saddle is built is actually constructed differently from a Western or even a trail or dressage saddle. Basically, the tree is constructed with a deep seat and a wide throat (the part of the seat just forward of your legs), a relatively short skirt and knee rolls forward of your knees. You adjust your stirrups so that your lower leg is locked forward and your thighs and knees press downward into the knee rolls. The forward seat saddle comes in two basic varieties - the "close contact" and the "hunting" saddle. The hunting saddle is deeper and much more comfortable - usually has larger knee rolls and more padding. I switched about 8 years ago from close contact to hunting - my trainer calls it my "Barcalounger".

Typical "close contact" saddle:

My "Barcalounger" (Courbette Futura All Purpose):