Center Fire rigging

[enjoytheride]

I have a new endurance saddle with centerfire rigging and I’m wondering if it’s just going to be easier to switch it out to english billets.

I’ve seen the biothane straps at Riding Warehouse, are there any other options? I can only find them on the one website. Does this really work to keep the saddle secure without causing a sore tummy?

My mare thought we were morons trying to get her tacked up last night.

[aktill]

What saddle? The endurance world uses “centerfire” broadly.

[enjoytheride]

http://www.scruggsfarm.com/big-horn-cordura-endurance-saddle-117--118--119-and-120.html

[aktill]

I’m a bit confused as to what you’re asking. Are you asking people to compare western centerfire with english forward billets?

If so, then the english system is more straightforward (don’t have to balance tension between the fore and aft straps), but will tend to pull the saddle into the horse’s shoulders, exaggerate any excess width in the gullet by having the saddle dive down in front, and is less able to prevent the rear of the saddle from shimmying.

[enjoytheride]

I want to use an english girth on my centerfire rigged saddle.

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kysaanne/media/GHS/DSC02768.jpg.html

[PNW_AMTS_Dealer]

I did that same thing to my endurance saddle and really like it. Easy to do and no bulk under the leg. It does keep my saddle balanced and plenty secure. I wouldn’t recommend it for roping or anything heavy like that, but for trail riding, I have had no issues for years. I got my 1.5" billets and endure girth from Stage Coach West.

[aktill]

Sure, go for it. English leather girths will stretch a little funny with the billets pointing out at angles like that, but if you’re using a synthetic girth you should be fine. They make english to western converters which make it easy too:
http://www.drafttack.com/page23.html

[enjoytheride]

The converters shown in the drafttack site would not be suitable for the centerfire rigging.

[aktill]

…there are others.

[Pocket_Pony]

For some reason I feel like a string girth exists that would be good for such a conversion (buckles are angled, not straight)…