I currently have a Circle Y Flex 2 that I love. It fits everything I have put it on comfortably and it feels like it was made for my butt. I am going to have a second horse that I will be racing and I am wondering if there are other brands of racing saddles out there with flexible trees that might even be better. I’ve seen saddles like Martin and Pozzi online, but have never sat in one or been able to try one out. What are your opinions on good flexible tree racing saddles?
The best barrel saddle is the one that fits.
I also have a flex 2 tree for my horse Red. I have the wide Lisa Lockhart version. It was too wide for my other horse, even the regular. So for him I found a circle Y XP that fits him great after much searching.
I don’t consider the flex 2 to be a true flex saddle. It’s more of a combination.
I do not believe that Martin or double J make a flex saddle. But they are both nice lines. Martin does have its own different philosophy on saddle fitting, although I am curious what they will do with their new partnership with Lisa Lockhart.
Good to know - thanks Beau159. When I bought the Circle Y I just really got lucky. I didn’t even race at the time. I was just looking for a comfortable saddle that fit my horse. I had someone tell me once that my horse would run faster times in a better saddle. While I know in my head that’s baloney, a little part of me wondered.
What do you mean when you say Martin has it’s own philosphy on saddle fitting?
Martin designs their saddle to sit differently on a horse. They also do a lot of shimming with pads and their saddle fit. I know they have YouTube videos and also videos on their website. Sherry Cervi has her own saddle line with them. And Lisa Lockhart is just releasing a new saddle with them (so the circle Y flex 2 won’t be under her name anymore because she left circle Y).
I dont much agree with shimming. It can be used properly in the right instance. But in my mind, if a saddle fits well, you shouldn’t need to do anything extra.
However they are are very nice saddles (also very expensive) and I know plenty of people who love them. So do some googling and you’ll find lots of info on their method of saddle fitting.
Eh, a horse really isn’t going to “run faster” with a barrel saddle. But it will help the rider to be more effective for the task at hand. Some people place a lot of importance on weight but I don’t as much, because a 200 pound man can go win a major jackpot against 100 pound ladies. If the horse (and rider) is talented, they’ll win no matter what and no matter how much extra weight they are packing.
I agree with you 100% on both points. I like the saddle to fit without shimming/padding etc. I come from the dressage world where saddles have to fit on their own merit. As for running faster, I’m frequently outrunning the well-bred horses with nice saddles on my $250 Mike’s Auction special wearing a Circle Y, so I agree that jockeying is a big part of it as well as a horse that likes the job. Thanks so much for your help!
