Fabtron Lady Trail Saddle, Experiences? My own worries.

[RoyalRain42]

Hello all!

I have finally come to the conclusion with my horrible knees… that leather saddles and me just don’t get along on long rides, just too lock up by the end!

So I have been looking at Synthetic saddles, since most are much easier on the knees with much more flexible fenders. Plus they are light weight, and with the hunting/guiding services we provide, spending 8+ hours in the saddle is considered a norm.

I have found myself looking into the Fabtron Ladies Trail saddle, probably going to go with the normal tree, not a flex. Most the reviews I have been reading show good things, but I have a few worries of my own.

I am a small girl, I am hardly 5 feet tall, maybe 100 pounds. I have always had an issue with stirrups not being able to go short enough. Though I find a 15 inch seat to be ideal and comfortable for me in most saddles.

I read some reviews that said the saddle ran large, and since it appears to only come in a 15 inch seat that had me worried, but I am also curious as to how short these stirrups can go? Has anyone else had issues with this saddle running large seat wise? I heard it was great for the ladies, and that is my hope!!

Thank you all:3 have a great day!

[imaginique]

Go to horsesaddleshop.com. They can answer any questions you have.

[RoyalRain42]

[QUOTE=imaginique;7952443]
Go to horsesaddleshop.com. They can answer any questions you have.[/QUOTE]

I sent my questions about 4 days ago and I am still waiting on a response from them. I am hoping they will give me numbers to work with too.

But that being said, I am curious if people have had sizing issues with these saddles.

[DressageFancy]

[QUOTE=RoyalRain42;7952526]
I sent my questions about 4 days ago and I am still waiting on a response from them. I am hoping they will give me numbers to work with too.

But that being said, I am curious if people have had sizing issues with these saddles.[/QUOTE]

I have a Lady Fabtron. Love that saddle. I do not find the seat size to run large. And the stirrups come up short enough for my short legged friend who is about your size. The only thing I’ve found is that I like a seat pad for day long rides. Shorter rides don’t bother me, but, long hours and my bum will get tired without the pad.

[Flash44]

Ditto horsesaddleshop, but chat or call them for a quick response. I am 5’0, and ordered my last 2 saddles from them with customer shorter fenders. You can’t return the saddle with custom modifications, so make sure you like the saddle if you decide to go that route.

[Buddy0227]

I have ridden many miles in a Fabtron Lady Trail saddle with the flex tree. My all time favorite. Very comfy with the deep seat, lightweight and easy care. Highly recommend .I found the sizing to be true.

[RoyalRain42]

Talking with them finally, I would be probably ordering the saddle with Youth Fenders, they explained to me if you have a mid seam of 30In or less, it is best to order Youths to be safe.

But now I have a question, in regards to buying the saddle somewhere else.

Now here is the saddle on horsesaddleshop.com
http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/fabtron-lady-trail-saddle.html#.VLhTAZU5DX4

But, here is the saddle on StateLineTack.com
http://www.statelinetack.com/item/fabtron-lady-trail-western-saddle/E003431/
(Tap add to cart to view price)

Now these saddles seem to be the same, however the pictures seem to contradict that IMO. The saddles look very much different.

I am just curious if these are in fact the same saddles, I mean measurement wise things are the same, but the coloration is what is really tossing me of.

Since I have a few owner’s in this thread, so are both pictures accurate? I would like to stick to horsesaddleshop, but the price state line has it for is quite a bit cheaper:/ (in cart at stateline saddle is currently $471.99)

sorry I just don’t really have anywhere I could go to look at one of these in person!

[sdlbredfan]

Another source is the National Bridle Shop. They even have some used ones, for example: http://www.nationalbridle.com/product-p/1-us2385.htm

[trailpal]

I just looked at the photos on the websites you mentioned - they are identical, it’s just that the photos are taken at different angles. Looks like the skirts and fenders are synthetic, the rest of the saddle appears to be leather. All the attachments, rigging, etc are the same.

I dislike western fenders but I do like the weight distribution of a western saddle. I’ve removed the fenders and used wider English or Australian leathers. I normally wear half chaps anyhow, and I found that this combination really helps my knees. I don’t know if that would be practical for your work, but might be an alternative to consider. You can still use western stirrups if you get the wider leathers. And you can make them as short as you need.

[PeanutButterPony]

Same saddle, different angles.

They ride like they’re already broken in, super comfortable.

[SouthernTrailsGA]

[QUOTE=RoyalRain42;7960267]
Talking with them finally, I would be probably ordering the saddle with Youth Fenders, they explained to me if you have a mid seam of 30In or less, it is best to order Youths to be safe.

But now I have a question, in regards to buying the saddle somewhere else.

Now here is the saddle on horsesaddleshop.com
http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/fabtron-lady-trail-saddle.html#.VLhTAZU5DX4

But, here is the saddle on StateLineTack.com
http://www.statelinetack.com/item/fabtron-lady-trail-western-saddle/E003431/
(Tap add to cart to view price)

Now these saddles seem to be the same, however the pictures seem to contradict that IMO. The saddles look very much different.

I am just curious if these are in fact the same saddles, I mean measurement wise things are the same, but the coloration is what is really tossing me of.

Since I have a few owner’s in this thread, so are both pictures accurate? I would like to stick to horsesaddleshop, but the price state line has it for is quite a bit cheaper:/ (in cart at stateline saddle is currently $471.99)

sorry I just don’t really have anywhere I could go to look at one of these in person![/QUOTE]

They are the same Saddles, one site has an older picture that Fabtron used to use.

I think Horse Saddle shop has accidentally used the price for the Tooled Version, they usually have the best price. Could be that Stateline has them reduces as an overstock.

The standard version of fenders rarely will fit anyone that is less than 5’-3" tall, so the youth fenders is the way to go.

I doubt Stateline will sell that Saddle with youth fenders, you will have to purchase them separate.

Fabtrons are one of the better synthetics, you should be happy with it.

[RoyalRain42]

Thank you all for the help! I will hopefully be ordering this saddle next week!!

however, I am ordering the fenders separate. I am just curious I any Fabtron owners can speak as to changing them? I have a friend who could help if needed, I am just curious if it would be something hard to do.

[GallopingGrape]

I sell them and it looks truer to color in the first photo. Yes, order the youth stirrups, its a great saddle, you’ll enjoy it.

[GallopingGrape]

The fenders are easy to change, you can order the saddle to have the youth fenders already on there for you…let me know if you need help ordering. And if the synthetic saddle still hurts your knees, just add stirrup turners, they are $12 and will save your knees!