Riding in treeless at the moment…it works, isn’t making my guy sore, but we have share of issues due to his build and keeping ANY saddle from shifting either s-s or up his neck on a downhill. YES I do ride with a breast collar and crupper that isn’t loose. Goal is eventually 50mile endurance rides but this year I’m just hoping to make an LD with him! We have our fair share of greenness to get through, and on that note I am seeking a “second” less expensive saddle to do this schooling in. I can sit his bucks and spooks in the Ghost Quilty I have, BUT it moves, so I want to find a treed saddle that will stay put, but not be too narrow and cause other issues.
He is a wide, low withers, round barrel, slightly downhill built, and currently chunky. Regardless, his shoulders show best fit western is a draft tree.
I posted an ISO on a few FB groups for saddles I knew I “liked” and what size needed, but of course get the suggestion for a custom saddle or things like an RP that I can’t afford right now (hoping after a year of solid competing I can justify it to the husband!).
I did get offered an Outback Australian Stock Saddle very inexpensive and measures wide enough for him but I worry I will not like it due to the way they sit with your legs more forward, where I like to ride with mine under me. I also have looked at the Kimberly Synthetic Endurance new (if they are wide enough- waiting for Downunder to respond to my email) as they are pretty reasonably priced.
Another one that someone contacted me about was a Royal King…which I have read mixed reviews about the saddles a whole, but she did have it refleeced and checked by a saddler a year ago. Also not too expensive, but almost as much as buying the Kimberly Synthetic.
Anyone riding in a Aussie? how does it compare to something with free swinging stirrups, or ones set further back?
