My current saddle fits my horse, just not me. Caldwells look super comfy and although their philosophy of saddle fitting (saddle should be ON the shoulder rather than BEHIND) is very different from most other makers, I sorta get it and they seem to know what they’re talking about. I’m just curious. Any info on them is appreciated! I’d probably getting the barrel saddle. Although I don’t do barrels I do low level mounted shooting and western dressage as well as a little trail riding. The barrel I think would be the best all-around saddle for what I do.
I know someone who has a Caldwell barrel saddle and she loves it. I don’t know what she loves about it, just that she does :lol:
That being said, if you want to dabble in Western Dressage, make sure you get a saddle that isn’t putting your leg too far forward, which most barrels saddles tend to do. You will want the fenders to hang more underneath your hip.
Yes, I’ve always avoided anything too forward hung because I can NOT ride like that! Other than a barrel saddle, I don’t know what “type” of western saddle I should look into that both has the fenders that keep your leg underneath you AND is balanced for running and tight turns in mounted shooting.
I have an older Martin barrel saddle that hangs my legs nicely under my hip and it’s rough out so grippy but also doesn’t have a super deep seat which allows me to sit how/where I want. It’s for sale 
doesn’t fit my horse 
http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/position-why-it-so-important/
Pressure testing showing what happens when a saddle is on the shoulder blade. Please don’t do that to your horse.
I myself do not have any experience with Caldwell but I honestly have NEVER heard a bad thing about their saddles … except maybe the wait time to get a custom one!
They are very popular in the barrel racing community.
You’ll have to test one out to see if it puts your leg in the proper position for you. Everyone has different preferances.
[QUOTE=Aspen1;8343660]
http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/position-why-it-so-important/
Pressure testing showing what happens when a saddle is on the shoulder blade. Please don’t do that to your horse.[/QUOTE]
The OP is referring specifically to Caldwell saddles. They have a different saddle fitting philosophy than most. You can’t compare their saddles to other saddle makers because the design is different.
http://www.caldwellsaddle.com/physics.html
[QUOTE=Aspen1;8343660]
http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/position-why-it-so-important/
Pressure testing showing what happens when a saddle is on the shoulder blade. Please don’t do that to your horse.[/QUOTE]
While Caldwell’s design is meant to go over the shoulders (I would hope they know what they’re talking about!) I am SO GLAD you posted that article! VERY very interesting and I will be bookmarking it to share with others.
I’ve seen the Caldwell videos and compared their trees to others. Not much difference in how they look. I question a lot about what she says on her videos about saddles, so I’m not convinced. I guess unless they get pressure tested there is no way to know for sure though.
