Abetta saddles

[cnigh]

I have been riding in my Abetta since January and although I am trying to make it work - well - it just isn’t

My horse seems to like it (as much as she likes any saddle), and the sweat spots are even and all over, so no pressure points.

BUT

I just can’t seem to RIDE my horse in this stupid thing. I feel like I have become a rank beginner after riding for 20+ years. Worst thing is I can’t post at all in it. I have replaced the fenders with english leathers and the easy ride stirrups with simple english ones but its still next to impossible to ride any faster than a walk.

So am I doing something wrong or should I give up, sell it and go back to an english saddle?

[BaileyTW]

This Abetta is a Western saddle? And you have always ridden English?

Sounds familiar. I have always ridden english (exception 1 horse I worked with for a few months, he had a western saddle) and just cannot feel comfortable western. I tried really hard to be happy western, but I feel unbalanced, insecure, and uncomfortable. To post western, and to feel at all comfortable, I shorten my stirrups shorter than normal for western.

I tried an Abetta endurance saddle once and didn’t care for it.

Why are you switching to western? I assume since you are in the trail section you are doing more trail riding. Maybe try a dressage saddle instead? I LOVE my Wintec Isabell for trails, I find it to be one of the easiest saddles to post in, I can jump in it, and its super comfy for long rides, and has that nice deep seat with plenty of butt room, but a narrow twist so you aren’t stretched across the saddle.

[cnigh]

I bought the Abetta thinking it would be better for trail riding and easier on my horses back - being so light.

But your right I feel insecure & unbalanced and even though my butt isn’t exaclty small I feel like I’m sliding around all over the place. God I had to actually hold on to the pommel to trot out the back yesterday. I felt so stupid. Don’t even mention cantering to me at the moment - lol!

I have also tried putting my stirrups up a hole or two, but that causes more problems then it solves.

I guess I’m back in the market for a saddle, but I don’t think dressage will work with my short little legs.

[Kellye]

Hang on a minute!

<<<But your right I feel insecure & unbalanced and even though my butt isn’t exaclty small I feel like I’m sliding around all over the place. God I had to actually hold on to the pommel to trot out the back yesterday. I felt so stupid. Don’t even mention cantering to me at the moment >>>

Could the seat be too big? What size is your english seat and what size is the Abetta seat?

I just recently switched to an Aussie, from riding in endurance saddles, and the seat sizing is totally different. The first Aussie I got was WAY too big in the seat, and it made me feel like a beginner. I was flopping all over the seat, could not trot or canter without feeling like I was going to fall off!! Then I exchanged it for a smaller seat, and voila. Now I’m feeling normal in the saddle again. Maybe you need to check the seat size and get something smaller.

[KarenC]

I have the same problem with the Abetta. I don’t think it is an english vs. western or a seat sizing issue. My abetta has absolutely no shape to it at all - no swell, no depth anywhere in the seat, nothing - it is like sitting on a beer keg. I don’t know if all models of the Abetta are like that, but there is absolutely nothing to the saddle to provide any kind of security.

Which sucks, because it really is a good fitting saddle for a lot of horses.

[Auventera_Two]

Weird. The saddle I feel the MOST natural and secure in is the Abetta. If it didn’t give my horse white hairs, I would still be using it on her. But she’s a bizarre pear shaped thing that NO saddle fits. We went treeless.

I use another Abetta on my quarter horse though and love it. It fits her, and me perfectly.

I also switched mine from fenders to leathers and liked that much better.

Not every saddle is for every person.

[katarine]

I hate the Abetta endurance saddle I have. Seems ok on the horse, and my SO ships it to Montana every yr for our annual ride out there, so he likes it well enough-but he doesn’t use his body well riding, he’s a skier more than a rider… but I HATE it. The seat etc are ok at a walk, but beyond that…like you I feel completely discomfitted, like I"m sitting ON it, not IN it…(my guess) is that the nylon and such never takes your shape, never warms to you, never gets a little feel to it…so you’re riding a pile of nylon strapped to a barrel. Now I have a Wintec AP that doesn’t have that same issue…so it’s not that I’m a leather purist. It’s that the abetta has no soul.

Want a light(er) weight western saddle that’s secure? Check out the Rocking R Ladies Ranch on the stagecoast west website. If the hardseat scares you, a nice tush cush seat cover does the trick

[cnigh]

I don’t know if its seat size. I went for the 16, but usually take a 17 in an english saddle. I thought 15 would be way too small for me.

I think I am going to try to sell it and get another english saddle. I just hope I can finally fit my girl & myself this time.

[jerry]

I have an Abetta western, and it’s fine. It gets used by three of us regularly.

[matryoshka]

I have both an Abetta endurance model and an Abetta Arabian tree western. The stirrup bars are a bit too far forward in the endurance model, which puts you in a chair seat. It doesn’t help that the seat is an inch longer than I need. Still, I ride just fine in it and am very secure–since I used dog collars to turn the stirrups. I did get bucked out of it once, but it was like sitting on a catapult, so I don’t think the saddle had anything to do with me landing in front of the horse.

I find that I have to pull my feet back so they are under me to feel balanced in the saddle. It is weird at first, but once I’ve done it for a long ride, I don’t even notice the need for it–until I ride in another saddle. I also sit a little farther forward in the seat than most people would.

I don’t like the Abetta western model as much because it is a flimsier saddle. However, the seat is the right size and I am even more secure in it–after I cut the horn off. It’s going to need some additional mods if I want to ride distance in it, since all the hanging loops have ripped and there is no crupper ring.

I’m still saving my pennies to purchase a Sensation Ride trail hybrid. I’m about half way there…

[matryoshka]

Perhaps the problem some people are having is the twist. I need a wide seat and possibly a wide twist to support my bad hip. The twist in both Abetta’s is just right for my needs. If I could ride in an English saddle without pain (I actually like a narrow twist), that would be my first choice.

Honestly, if you aren’t comfortable in the saddle, it is better to sell it and buy another. If you aren’t comfortable, it is hard to believe you are riding in a way that your horse is also comfortable. They can sense our tenseness, and if you are hurting, you are tense. Your horse will thank you. Riding should be fun, not torture.

[mustangtrailrider]

I have an abetta pathfinder. It doesn’t fit my gelding well. I like it fine, but he seems to hate it. We had to buy yet another saddle to fit him. He changes shape monthly it seems. Now he rides in a double t saddle. Yes, I know cheap, but it rides great for both of us.

So now I have a pathfinder abetta up for grabs. LOL. I hate saddles.

[Bank_of_Dad]

I got the arabian model and hated it. The stirrups were too far forward, I didn’t have a balanced seat. When I switched to a (special made) full QH bar western training saddle, I can draw a line from my ear to my elbow to my ankle. I actually sit balanced like I would in a good English saddle.

[arena_run]

@cnigh;3336044

I don’t know if its seat size. I went for the 16, but usually take a 17 in an english saddle. I thought 15 would be way too small for me.

I think I am going to try to sell it and get another english saddle. I just hope I can finally fit my girl & myself this time.

A 16inch western saddle is a big saddle.

I’m 5’4", weigh 145 lbs or so, and I ride a 15". My daughter has a 14.5" inch that I’ll ride sometimes. It’s not really too small although the way the pommel is built (the sweep-around type) makes me feel confined.

Imo, your saddle is just too big. Trade it for a 15" seat maybe. sylvia

[Huntertwo]

I agree, perhaps the seat is too big. Usually the difference between English and Western is 2 inches.

I take a 16 inch in a Western and a 18 inch with my English saddle.

Do you have the Endurance Saddle? I’m not sure if they are all built the same, but I love mine. It did hurt my butt the first couple of rides. After that it was fine.

I’m thinking maybe you need a 15 inch seat.

[Auventera_Two]

There is a WORLD of difference between my 15" and 16" seat. I got the 16" so dad could ride in it too, but the 15" is the size I really need. I could even go 14 1/2 if they made one. You might just try a smaller seat. It was a sad day when I sold my 15" because I LOVED that saddle. But if it doesn’t work for the horse, it’s no good to me, unfortunately.

[cnigh]

[QUOTE=matryoshka;3337925]

Honestly, if you aren’t comfortable in the saddle, it is better to sell it and buy another. If you aren’t comfortable, it is hard to believe you are riding in a way that your horse is also comfortable. They can sense our tenseness, and if you are hurting, you are tense. Your horse will thank you. Riding should be fun, not torture.[/QUOTE]

My horse moves out freely and her back sweats up evenly, but the minute I’m off balance she slows down. So the fit is good and she is not girthy like she was with an english girth, but yes she def feels the difference in my riding.

My saddle is the Endurance style. I thought it looked bigger than I wanted when I got it, but it was mail order, so hard to return.

Maybe it is too big if 16 western = 18 english. Its not likely I’ll be able to trade it though. Not many people have them around here.

[Huntertwo]

You can always try selling it on Ebay or Tacktrader.com - Or even post a trade on Tacktrader.com

Won’t get the price you paid, but its better than sitting around collecting dust.

[matryoshka]

It could be more than just the seat being too big. The stirrups are hung farther forward on the endurance model than on the Arabian tree western Abetta I have. The western saddle also has a 15 inch seat, so that could be a major part of the difference in feel.

[Auventera_Two]

I rode with a lady at an endurance ride this weekend who was in an Abetta. She said she’s done thousands of miles in Abetta saddles - replaces them every few years - and loves them. She did a stay in the UAE training horses for the President and is a very accomplished endurance competitor.

It was neat to talk to her because when I was using my Abetta for endurance a couple people told me to sell it and buy a “real saddle.” So I guess you have to look at ALL the opinions available then decide for yourself.