In need of a comfy(not western) trail saddle. My knees require english rigging.
My horse is 15 hands, round and short backed but big striding TWH. Lots of shoulder action.
I have some leg weakness thats why I ride a little horse. I find a AP english saddle a little restrictive(for me) for a all day ride.
Love to find a endurance with english rigging but that doesn’t seem to exist.
So if money was no problem what would be your dream saddle.
Have you checked Tucker’s?
http://tuckersaddles.shptron.com/p/gen-ii-equitation-endurance-saddle?pp=12
check out Desoto saddles
Thanks
Tuckers quality is poor now as so many things we buy now the new ones just aren’t very good. Tucker has a wide twist didn’t wor k for me or my short backed horse.I can’t imagine why they are popular, that gel seat is hot, and keeps you from any contact with the horse.
Fabtron Lady Trail saddle.
You’re welcome. 
If you could find them anywhere, this is it:
http://www.saddlesnhorsetackshop.com/shopexd.asp?id=461
I now own two of them, because I have many of the same issues you describe, only for me I also have the problem of super-fluffy rear-end, so the extra wide seat is wonderful. It sits me in a nice upright position, easy to post and can ride two-point all day long.
Thing is, what I own seems to have been made by a good saddle maker who used good quality leather. In my search to find a second one, I’ve found a lot that look like this but are made with terrible quality.
I’d be willing to bet if you tried to buy the one I’m linking, they’ll say they don’t have it.
So essentially I’m not doing much of anything for you other than saying they are out there. Somewhere. Good luck!
There are actually plenty of high quality English-style Endurance saddles, most notably the Rubicon or Solstice from the Arabian Saddle Company, or the Enduro from Frank Baines, or some of the Duett models.
I love, love, love my Barefoot Tahoe and so does my horse
[QUOTE=rcloisonne;7997747]
Have you checked Tucker’s?
http://tuckersaddles.shptron.com/p/gen-ii-equitation-endurance-saddle?pp=12[/QUOTE]
I have the Tucker Equitation Endurance and love it - but if you do look at them please realize there are 2 models - the Gen II is what is shown in rcloisonne’s link and there is also a “classic” model which is what I have. Both have a gel seat but I’ve been told (by the local Tucker dealer) that on the Gen II the gel goes down a little further on the saddle and some people don’t like that, that it lessens the feel you can get of the horse. Just letting you know to check out both types if you’re interested in the Tuckers.
Walkers, you need to be a bit more descriptive about what you want. Do you need a roomier seat so you can move around more? You said an english AP is too restrictive. In what way? I understand that you want a narrow twist, you possibly want very close contact under your legs? Do you want a longer flatter seat with a cantle that comes up behind your cheeks rather than a cantle that rises up under you cheeks?
Chicamuxen
Prestige Atena endurance. English flap and leathers on the Atena Flaps model. Swinging fenders (very pliable - no stress on knees) on the regular Atena. Long billets for short girth. Full calfskin over memory foam everywhere. Seriously comfy. I’ve used mine on gaited and non-gaited with equally happy results. Best fit is on a broad back - panels are too wide for the true A-frame horse. $2800 new. Demo available from the Farm House.
Black Country Equinox is a favorite among our endurance customers for the rounder horse, the Baines Enduro for the less round and the Lovatt & Ricketts Rubicon, another hoop tree. It really depends on what your horse’s topline looks like but I’m guessing the Equinox or maybe even the BC Celeste. You can check out what they look like on our site, www.trumbullmtn.com.
I own 2 Steele saddles. Before I bought my fist one I could only ride for `5-20 minutes. My knees and everything else just died and I had tried everything else. I got my saddle home and went on a 6 hour ride with my daughter. Not only does the saddle fit me between the two they fit every horse we own.
Well worth doing the “Try it First” program.
I thought the first Steele saddle was the ugliest thing I had ever seen then I sat it it, nothing hurt. I cant remember a time nothing hurt!!!
http://steelesaddle.com/
I’ve been riding in a Sensation Hybrid for the last 5 years. Love it. Love it.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I am 5’6 about 130 lbs and over the hill as they say so I bought this very well trained TWH with fantastic gaits but lots of shoulder action. He is 15 hands but built like a pony, short cannons,short back and round backed but with some withers.
I like close contact but a deep seat and roomy for long trails rides maybe lunch while mounted(getting on isn’t easy for me).
So i’m ready to spend $$ on a dream saddle, want beautiful leather ,a good feel for me and good fit for the horse, luckily he is 7 now so he is what he is though i do plan to get 75 lbs off him.
In the old days i had saddles made for my horses but that was out west where there were still some old time saddle makers. Truthfully they were a little heavy for todays market .
Also the horse really isn’t that wide just round backed. Looked at the Duett and he is not that wide.
Can someone explain to me why the Baines saddles(and others) have the thigh block. I’ve never ridden a saddle like that and can’t imagine that being comfortable for a long trail ride. I can see it for jumpig or leaning during long endurance ride but I’m riding gaited,we sit…
Go with a Steele or at least try one!!! Gives all our endurance horses lots of shoulder movement.
If I could spend the money? Reactor Panel
Love my Allegany Mountain trail saddle. I actual have three of them, I was a dealer, have since retired. My slim pommel endurance with short, single butterfly skirting, english rigging and custom close contact fenders make it the most secure yet comfortable and light weight DREAM saddle I have tried. I picked the tree that fit my horses by way of the Fit to be Seen forms then had it built to my specs. Thought mine does have western fenders, they do make a “plantation” model that has a longer jockey and english type leathers.
