Best western saddle for an English gal?

[TheJenners]

Oy, just the thought has my knees aching…Eiy.

I’ve never ridden in a western saddle for more than 30 minutes without having to kick my feet free. I think the stirrup attachment things that swing the stirrups out would be the best bet for someone looking to avoid that.

That said, go for a ranch saddle. My BF has one custom-made from a name I can’t recall, the guy only makes like 10 saddles a year but they are creme de la creme or however that goes. He was at a roping thing, and the calves were fresh and rank bastards. He got one out of the chute and as he was dismounting, the calf swung wide around and his mare didn’t, and the calf got behind her and it was a (as he says) “heck of a wreck.” She got to running and dragging the calf, and with the neck rope it basically choked her out and she flipped and crashed, and ~1300 pounds of deadrun mare hitting the arena was not something I want to see again. She was fine after they cut the rope and she caught her breath, and calf was fine as it was turned loose before my BF could kill it…and the saddle doesn’t look like anything happened once he rode some of the dirt off it. THIS is what an unhappy cowboy looks like after his beloved mare has a wreck like that.

[xeroxchick]

I would recommend trying some ox-bow stirrups. They are like a metal ring and are way more comfortable than wide wooden stirrups, for me anyway.

[Foxtrot_s]

Daisy Duke mentioned a Vic Bennett. I’m an English rider all my life, but I did borrow a Vic Bennett once and for the first time in my life I was comfortable in a western saddle. It fit. No more did my knees and ankles get warped.
But it was heavy. I could hardly lift it. 28# is a lightweight saddle and still is heavy for me. I’m not looking to ride western on a regular basis, but if I did, I do know I could find a saddle that did not cause pain.

[Huntertwo]

@TrotTrotPumpkn;4929583

I’m intrigued by this one: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/lady-trail.html

It’s cheap, but doesn’t seem cheaply made. They have a video–#1 seller.

I will definitely have to sit in some–I’m not sure if I want a 15 or a 16 seat either.

I have this one and really like it.
http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/arabian-saddle-fabtron.html

The general rule of thumb is your western saddle should be 2 inches smaller than your English saddle.

BUT, if you’re used to an English saddle, you may find the horn a bit hindering. That is why my favorite saddle is my Abetta Endurance saddle.
http://www.abettasaddles.com/

I do not find it puts me in a chair seat, is lightweight, comes with the endurance stirrups, easy to clean and reasonably priced.
A newer model has a padded seat…:yes:

[Plumcreek]

Standard practice to make the western saddle stirrups and fenders more comfortable is to “turn” the stirrups. Thoroughly sponge all the leather in Lexol or saddle soap and oil. While still damp, put the saddle on a rack and twist the stirrup and fender towards the rear until they are twisted up as tight as possible from the saddle skirt down. Place a broomstick or similar through the stirrup to hold it while you twist the other one (also towards the rear), then run the broomstick through both stirrups, pull the stirrups down (as they want to twist upwards) and leave overnight. The stirrup/fender will then stay curved around to be right where your foot is. Do this every time you thoroughly clean the saddle.

[sirensong4]

I had a Circle Y Park and Trail and NO amount of dampening/oiling/broomsticking ever kept the stirrups turned. Something about the way they tanned their leather–it was super supple but not very malleable. Sold it.
I briefly had a Dakota, which i loved, but i wildly overestimated the seat size. Normally i ride in a 17.5-18" english saddle and Dakota’s 16" seat was HUGE. Sold it too.
My western saddles that i have now are both keepers–i have a Big Horn semi-synthetic cutting (!) saddle, which you don’t see very often. I have a great feel for my horse in it AND it clears a TB wither. It is relatively light, as well, with synthetic skirts and fenders.
I am madly in love with my treeless Bob Marshall though. SUPER lightweight, very very comfortable, you can obviously feel the horse, but it is not NEARLY as flimsy as a stirruped bareback pad or anything like that. The pommel is rigid, too, so it does not have the slippage issues of most saddles. It works great for almost all things western. A lot of pro barrel racers compete in them. Of course, you can’t rope with it, but I can’t recall if you were interested in roping or not from the original post.
Bob Marshalls (and the Circle Y Bob Marshalls as well) are light as a feather and the construction of the stirrup fender makes them really really easy on the knees. I have had both ACLs replaced so that is a big concern for me.
They measure the seat size funny though. Like they measure the size of the seat where your thigh goes, not down the center of the seat like most western measurements. So if you do buy a used one, make sure you know what technique they are using.
Downside–cost. The used ones generally start around $700. SO worth it, though. And being a treeless, they work on everything. I would recommend a built-up shoulder pad for use on anything with a big wither fin though.

[shalomypony]

[QUOTE=TheJenners;4930562]
Oy, just the thought has my knees aching…Eiy.

I’ve never ridden in a western saddle for more than 30 minutes without having to kick my feet free. I think the stirrup attachment things that swing the stirrups out would be the best bet for someone looking to avoid that.

That said, go for a ranch saddle. My BF has one custom-made from a name I can’t recall, the guy only makes like 10 saddles a year but they are creme de la creme or however that goes. He was at a roping thing, and the calves were fresh and rank bastards. He got one out of the chute and as he was dismounting, the calf swung wide around and his mare didn’t, and the calf got behind her and it was a (as he says) “heck of a wreck.” She got to running and dragging the calf, and with the neck rope it basically choked her out and she flipped and crashed, and ~1300 pounds of deadrun mare hitting the arena was not something I want to see again. She was fine after they cut the rope and she caught her breath, and calf was fine as it was turned loose before my BF could kill it…and the saddle doesn’t look like anything happened once he rode some of the dirt off it. THIS is what an unhappy cowboy looks like after his beloved mare has a wreck like that.[/QUOTE]

That’s a mighty fine looking cowboy you got yourself there!!!:)A bit George Clooney ish,isn’t he??

[terasa]

I was just at a clinic this weekend and we were discussing similar issues - my knees and hips have ached in every western saddle I’ve ever owned or tried.
The clinician had a few suggestions and had her saddle rigged to prevent that as well. Some of the things she mentioned or I noticed-
She was using resin stirrups, also when she ties off the latigo she ties it at the cinch rather than at the saddle, so there is no lump under your thigh. She also mentioned she had the latigo and fenders made of thinner than average leather (hers is a custom ranch saddle)with no tooling and that she had the seat shaped to her preferences. I’m sure she spent a bit of money on it, but she swears by it and says it’s lasted her ten years of daily clinics, training, and backcountry trips so far, and even a few horses rolling in it. I’m sure her saddle cost a pretty penny, but I’d bet most saddles could be adapted somewhat (latigo, stirrups,maybe even fenders etc) for a smaller amount of money if you talked to someone knowlegeable enough.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

This thread has had some great information, thanks!

I really wish I could go get a custom saddle, but I think for the minimal amount of use this saddle will receive that it is not realistic. I’d like to find something used so I can sell it on Ebay or Tacktrader if it doesn’t work out.

I did go sit in saddles this past weekend (holy overpriced) and in the few I tried it looks like a 16" saddle is the way to go (although the 15-5 was bearable, I think posting would not go well).

I’m leaning towards a Dakota, which seems like a reasonably well made saddle or the Fabtron Lady flex.

Someone said the Dakota’s ran very large (for the people) though…so maybe a 15"??

[pines4equines]

Hay

I agree with a previous poster about Abetta Endurance.

I’ve ridden English all my life and didn’t want heavy and didn’t want chair seat. After all these years of working on my position…The Abetta is like sitting in a dressage saddle for me. My leg is in great position.

The only thing is and it might be me, is it throws me a smidge forward. Not sure if it’s the cushy seat and it needs to mold to my butt more or what. I only noticed it going down steep hills, it was harder to throw my weight back.

But that being said, I’d buy another Abetta if this one became worn out, again for light weight and for my position.

[MistyBlue]

TrotTrot…if you can sit in saddles pre-purchase…do that first. :yes:

I just bought my first western saddle about 18 months or so ago. I’m an English rider too and had a heckuva time saddle shopping. Unfortunately right before I started shopping the one tack shop within reasonable driving distance to me that had western saddles had closed. :no:

The 2" smaller rule works for many western saddles, but I did find out not for all. I went with a 15" twice (was ordering online) thinking it would be roomy because I ride in a 16"-16.5" CC or jumping saddle. Erm, both those 15" were still attached to my butt when I got up off of sitting in them. :lol:

I also went with a less expensive saddle because mine was a “for fun” saddle and I couldn’t justify $1000-$2000 on a For Fun saddle. Mine is nice, but not stellar. I would have done a bit better buying a better type used than a new one of lesser brand. (and I forget what the heck brand I have) One issue I did have in ALL the saddles I tried to buy was that they all made my butt bones sore after riding. But…that’s probably because as a jumper rider I’m really not used to my tuckus spending so much time in the tack! Virgin butt bone syndrom…which I have noticed has decreased over time getting use to new styles of tack. But I would recommend some padding in the seat or at least a gel cushion at first.

The nicest saddles I sat in/checked out at the Equine Affaire were the Crates, Tucker, Circle Y and Bill Cooks. And yeah, all expensive. I tried a Lady Wade that was nice, but not sure if that’s a brand or a style…possibly a type of tree. Not sure.

And the number one western saddle I sat in? A custom Robarts. Ridiculously comfortable and put me in perfect position. All are custom only though…the one I sat in was built on a dressage saddle style. It sat just like a dressage saddle (even in the twist) but was a western saddle. However, also cost a buttload. But they also make some seriously awesome bits too…and those are really affordably priced.

Have fun shopping, if there is anywhere near you that has western tack, go sit in some if you can. :yes: Huge difference learningwhat works for you and how sizes feel different depending on what type of western saddle it is. (roper, trail, WP, show, barrel, etc)

[sirensong4]

@TrotTrotPumpkn;4935155

Someone said the Dakota’s ran very large (for the people) though…so maybe a 15"??

Guilty.

I thought they ran large; other people may not agree.

I did think the Dakota was a GREAT saddle for the money. I picked the style, the leather color, the tree width and the seat color/material and i think i paid $475. They have decent eBay-ability too. Not quite like the Bob Marshalls do though. You really should ride one if you get a chance, they are unlike anything else in the world. I love being able to ride western but still feel it in my seatbones when my horse drops her head to graze.

[Dressage_Art]

great thread. I’m also looking for a western or Australian saddle for my hubby and can use tips on getting a right one.