Steeles are nice, but they can be like sitting in a bucket. And no saddle horn, if that was important to you.
How about the Down Under synthetic Australian endurance/trail saddle? Very reasonable in price and deep seat for security.
[QUOTE=katarine;6168527]
Steeles are nice, but they can be like sitting in a bucket. And no saddle horn, if that was important to you.[/QUOTE]
You didn’t just make a “bucket seat” joke, did you?!?!?! :lol:
True enough, but my wife’s was a very secure and comfortable “bucket.” If security and comfort is the prime goal then they should be on the list.
As to Aussies (which some have suggested) I’d walk carefully. For me they are “blister rigs.” I swear at them. Others swear by them. Thoroughly test them before making a choice.
One extra thought: saddles are very individual things and it’s not at all unreasonable for a rider to go through a half dozen or more before they find The One. That means no matter what the choice for the OP, there’s a better than even chance that it won’t be “right.”
G.
Funny you should mention that. Looked at those too and if they came in 20" seats, I would have snagged one as they get good reviews. So do the Kimberley saddles carried by Down Under. My husband and I discussed it last night and he really didn’t want to spend nearly a grand on a saddle that he will only use lightly/occasionally. Down Under happened to have a used one year old, 20" Kimberley Superior available very reasonably so I snagged it. It’s a good looking saddle and my husband is thrilled. I looked at all the photos and reviews I could find and everyone seems pleased with them and I think it will do nicely. Can always add a sheepskin cover for extra grip. Amazon carries a fabulous Merino sheepskin saddle pad for Australian saddles that is a steal at $74.95. I bought one for my Wintec Pro Stock, love it, and ordered another one today for my husband’s saddle, only in brown. Again, I really appreciate everyone’s input. There are some really nice Tucker’s out there if anyone else is looking. Not cheap, but they do hold their resale value well. I didn’t find anything in a medium priced Western that I was happy with the price versus the quality, and that came in an 18" seat or equivalent. It seems most saddle lines stop at 17inches or the equivalent. Tucker is one of the few that makes a good saddle for riders of more generous proportions that aren’t for “drafts”.
I just picked up an inexpensive Abetta endurance model to use this summer with my young stallion. I hate to purchase him something pricey or custom while he still will be filling out and growing so much yet. He’s four this year. We’ll see how it goes and then later on I’ll explore a custom endurance for him…perhaps a Stonewall model.
I got a seat gel cushion and with that, I think I’ll be all right in it. It’s a big step up from trail riding in a Wintec AP for comfort and has lots of places to hook on saddle bags. The Wintec AP nearly ruined me after an hour in it…UGH… I dislike the western rigging of the Abetta but that’s just my own bias…no real reason…just what I’m used to. I felt secure in it and not perched which I like. I rode in one of those marathon english style endurance saddles and I really felt perched above the horse on it.
I did like how it sat me…centered fairly nicely, not on my pockets, and allows my leg to move where I want it. I tried trail riding on long rides in my Fhoenix (dressage treeless with big knee rolls) and it forced my leg so straight and long that I’d be in agony after an hour or two in it. Otherwise I was fine with the Fhoenix and my horses were comfortable but long rides just killed me. We both have to be comfortable in it if it’s going to work.
The Abetta fits my youngster really well too which is critical. So I don’t have a strong opinion yet but by late Spring and a couple of long riding/camping weekends in it, and I’m sure I’ll be able to give a much better report!
