Oh by the by, Jess, since I stumbled across your post over at HorseGroomingSupplies (or whatever it is) in a driveby lurking, and can’t post there since I’m not registered … I got my biothane v-rigging straps at Horses Dacor. (http://www.horsesdacor.com) I saw someone mentioning getting them from Tucker, but I think you order the front and back straps separate. The ones I got came as a set of 4 for $35.
Or you could try the single-tie. I just like the double buckle type better.
[QUOTE=dreamswept;2849763]
Oh by the by, Jess, since I stumbled across your post over at HorseGroomingSupplies (or whatever it is) in a driveby lurking, and can’t post there since I’m not registered … I got my biothane v-rigging straps at Horses Dacor. (http://www.horsesdacor.com) I saw someone mentioning getting them from Tucker, but I think you order the front and back straps separate. The ones I got came as a set of 4 for $35.
Or you could try the single-tie. I just like the double buckle type better.[/QUOTE]
Thanks! I hope it was okay I used your picture. :uhoh: I couldn’t find any other good v-rigged pictures, and yours is exactly how I wanted to v-rig mine.
Thanks for posting that link! I’m going to check it out, your way seems much easier than doing up the latigo on both sides!!
I guess they prevent the need for rythm beads! :lol::lol: Actually, I forget about the noise until I ride with somebody new who isn’t used to them. My OTTB is very bouncy, and the saddle really jangles at every stride. People look around in confusion when we trot behind them. Also, they jingle all at once when he throws one of his excitement bucks–we get strange looks then, too.
So, the noisy saddle, ornery horse, and I all provide entertainment for other riders!
Hi! New here.
I just bought an Abetta endurance saddle and love it. After showing hunter & dressage horses for years this saddle took a few rides to feel comfortable in. Now it’s my favorite plus it fits my Arabian better than any custom saddle ever has. For those who have converted to english leathers. How do you remove the fenders? I would love to convert mine.
Rather than convert to English leathers, I used dog collars to turn my stirrups so they don’t torque my knees. I wrapped them twice around the bottom of the fender and the stirrup, poking new holes where necessary. This has worked great for the past two years–no stretching or anything. I used nylon dog collars on one saddle and leather ones on another.
stirrup straights help with all western fender issues. But if you want to remove the fenders, unbuckle everything and pull the end that has no buckle or other hardware and tug. Tug some more. Cuss a little. eventually it’ll all come outta there. While tugging and cussing, take a good long look at where the fender slot is. Yes, it is like dragging a cat through a knothole. putting fenders back (or replacing with english leathers) on requires little hands and fingers, a hemostat if you have big mitts, a string tied through a hole on the new or replacing fender/leather, wiggle it through the fender slot, THEN call on a man or boy or a woman with big muscles and a good grip to haul it all through there. I would advise not removing both and then trying to replace, do one at a time so you have something to refer to, because its easy enough to goof up and have fenders that want to buckle backwards. We need to start a dog collar clique, cant live without mine.
Contrary to most here I hated it.
Hard, bridging, uncomfortable chair seat, clanking, cheap looking and feeling. Sold it after 4 months of annoyance on ebay.
But it is light.
And cheap.
The one thing I will agree with is that it’s seat is hard as hell. My butt goes numb about an hour in.
But if you slap a thick sheep skin seat saver on it, the difference is night and day 
Haaaa, Me too! This only happened the first couple of rides in it. I must have a bigger arse than you. Mine was numb in about 15 minutes…:lol:
Someone from the board recommended to keep riding in it and sure enough after a few consistent rides, no more numbness. 
I’ve never found the seat to be an issue. It’s actually softer than the close-contact saddle I used to ride in. 
Maybe it is a matter of whether one’s butt fits the saddle shape? Mine must be a match, because I’ve never been sore in it from day 1. It sounds like a case of needing to try it to see whether it feels okay.
[QUOTE=matryoshka;2859307]
I’ve never found the seat to be an issue. It’s actually softer than the close-contact saddle I used to ride in. Maybe it is a matter of whether one’s butt fits the saddle shape? Mine must be a match, because I’ve never been sore in it from day 1. It sounds like a case of needing to try it to see whether it feels okay.[/QUOTE]
I actually was pretty comfortable in it for a while without a seat saver. Did a couple rides without it, but then slapped a seat saver on to be a “cool kid” and apparently got spoiled with a nice soft tush cushion.
I should note that I have almost no butt to speak of too.
Maybe that is the secret! I don’t have much of a butt either. Okay, it has been growing a bit in the last couple of years, but at 43, I think I’m entitled to a little cushion back there!
I use a tush cushion on the Abettas too. I’m not exactly sparse in the butt department, but I do have prominent seat bones. The cushion helps give a bit more padding.
WOW! Changing over to english leathers really made a difference and now my saddle is even more comfortable (if possible). Maybe I just feel more comfortable with something I know ~ muscle memory and everything… A friend even showed me how to adjust the irons to fit the width of the leathers. Now I’ll have to order the V-rigging… :winkgrin:
How did you attach english leathers to an Abetta? I have an Abetta, and am told the leathers/fenders are one piece that goes over the tree – I believe that’s the case because I don’t see where they attach – Did you cut the webbing and attach stirrups to that?
Well, on my Abetta, and on most western saddles I’ve known, there is a slot the leathers/fenders go through. Turn that saddle upside down, get a flashlight, and look real close. Should be there. If not, you’d never be able to replace fenders and leathers without dismantling the whole durn thing.
I’ve replaced my western fenders/stirrups on one of my Abetta saddles. The fenders are separate on each side - the do not connect to the fender on the opposing side.
I tried the Abetta, but found it very uncomfortable. I ended up with a Fabtron endurance which I quite like.
[QUOTE=drea
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/dreamswept/Jet/jet_saddle4.jpg)
I did make changes to make it really comfy. The sheepskin seat saver was wonderful, and I have English leathers in place of fenders, which saved my knee a lot. Even with those stirrup turner things, the fenders really weren’t comfortable. I also changed my rigging around because I’m incompetent at tying a Western cinch.
Today I rode a pretty fair amount of miles in it; four hour ride up and down hills. It was a great ride in that saddle.[/QUOTE]
Well this is interesting, dreamswept. I just got an Abetta endurance saddle and much to my surprise it came with NO rings for a breastcollar. I see yours has them. Did they come with the saddle or did you have to add them. I just can’t imagine anyone making a saddle without breast collar rings. The saddle arrived the day before I went out of town for two weeks. I haven’t had a chance to do more than sit in it, so I can’t comment (yet) on whether or not I like it.
Reply With Quote
[QUOTE=doremon12;5107320]
Well this is interesting, dreamswept. I just got an Abetta endurance saddle and much to my surprise it came with NO rings for a breastcollar. I see yours has them. Did they come with the saddle or did you have to add them. I just can’t imagine anyone making a saddle without breast collar rings. The saddle arrived the day before I went out of town for two weeks. I haven’t had a chance to do more than sit in it, so I can’t comment (yet) on whether or not I like it.
Reply With Quote[/QUOTE]
Huh. Strange. I don’t have my Abetta anymore (my Haflinger has since required a Sensation treeless) but I definitely remember the saddle coming with breastcollar rings. It’s been 3 years since I got the saddle though, so maybe they’ve taken them off since then.
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