Fabtron Lady Trail Saddle - reviews please?

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

I’m thinking of buying a synthetic western saddle for trail riding. I’ve seen a few positive mentions of this saddle in other threads, and I like what I’ve seen and read on horsesaddleshop.com.

Those of you who own or have ridden in one, would you please share your opinion of this saddle? I’m particularly interested in:

1. Does it put you in a chair seat? Or can you maintain a correct position in it without fighting the saddle? Can you post comfortably in it?
2. What do you think of that high cantle? Did you like it, or did you feel like you were sitting in a peach basket?
3. What seat size would you order if you ride in a 17" Ovation Show Jump saddle at present?
4. Anything else you’d like to add.

Thanks!

[katarine]

1. Does it put you in a chair seat? No
   Or can you maintain a correct position in it without fighting the saddle? Yes
   Can you post comfortably in it? Yes
2. What do you think of that high cantle? Like it- it’s meant for long trail rides, when it will be an asset your lower back appreciates.Did you like it, or did you feel like you were sitting in a peach basket?
3. What seat size would you order if you ride in a 17" Ovation Show Jump saddle at present? A 16"
4. Anything else you’d like to add

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

Thanks, katarine!

[Fillabeana]

I would start with a 15" western saddle if I rode in a 17" jump saddle.

Different styles of saddle can produce different seat sizes, though, just like your shoe size might be ‘8’ and your closet has everything from size 7 to 9 shoes in it.

I ride about a 17 or 17 1/2" english saddle, my Wade is a 14" with plenty of room, I also have a Billy Cook roping/general purpose 15" saddle that is about right. My husband’s 15" Wade is WAY too big for me, he has a roping saddle that is 16" and about the same (too big for me) butt size.

The measurement of a Western saddle can vary, due to horn placement, cantle size, cantle angle, and more. Just make sure that 1)you have room for your thighs and 2)the stirrup is hung in the right place for you.

That 15" Billy Cook is right for my butt/thigh, but puts my feet a little bit forward. My mom has a bit bigger behind, but still is a good fit- the stirrups are hung just right for her.

A tall cantle will be very supportive, but it can be hard to swing a leg over if your hips are older and creakier. So…if it suits you, great!

In all, I’d say you’ll have to sit in a saddle to see if it fits.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

Thanks, Fillabeana. Luckily, my local tack store has one Fabtron saddle in stock, although the girl who answered the phone didn’t know the model. Anyway, it’s a 15", so I can go sit in it tomorrow and see. Going by the size chart at horsesaddleshop.com I’d need a 16", although I have always heard you subtract two inches for a western saddle.

I think it’s like women’s jeans - you just have to try them on.

Oh, and ETA: My hips may have passed the half-century mark, but they’re not creaky, thankyouverymuch. :lol: In fact, I have the opposite problem - all my joints are still as flexible as they were when I was a kid. My doctor says this is not really a good thing - it just means my ligaments are too stretchy and I’m a knee replacement waiting to happen. So I make it a point to stay off the ski slopes and on top of my horse where it’s safe!

[Melelio]

I notice many people ride in a western that’s too big in the seat. I would probably ride a 17" english (used to ride a 16 1/2" very comfy) but I prefer 15" or even a smidge less in a western. My 15.5 is a mite too big and roomy…you shouldn’t necessarily slide around in a western, unless you’re bulldoggin or cutting.

[katarine]

I suggest you sit in it and see- that high cantle will feel weird to your english butt

See what your butt says

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

My tack shop had a 15" Fabtron Lady Trail. Definitely too small.:yes:

I took one of the old Big Horns to try, but it was too wide for Conjure so I returned it, and got the tack shop to order me a 16" Lady Trail.

I really liked the position of the stirrups -not a chair seat! - and the narrow twist. I took the 15" out to the barn to try on Conjure, and it’s a pretty good fit. Maybe a little too wide without the wool pad, but with the wool pad (it’s a cutback wither relief) it seemed to have sufficient clearance over the spine.

So in a week or so I should have my saddle!

[callidorre]

Looks like you’ve got your questions answered already, but I’ll chime in too. I ride in my close contact saddle all the time these days, but I started out western and used my Fabtron lady trail saddle regularly before the switch to english. It’s more comfortable to me than many western saddles. I can post in it just fine. No chair seat. I like that the seat is flat with the trail saddle design and doesn’t push you towards the cantle like some western saddles do.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

[QUOTE=callidorre;7046030]
I like that the seat is flat with the trail saddle design and doesn’t push you towards the cantle like some western saddles do.[/QUOTE]

That is one of my pet hates in a lot of western saddles also. Thanks for chiming in with your review. I’m looking forward to my saddle getting here!

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

Rode in the Lady Trail for the first time today

I love it. So very comfortable! Your feet are right underneath you, too - no chair seat. And the twist is not wide at all. It’s narrower than the twist on my Duett english AP saddle.

My horse loved it too. He hadn’t been ridden for ten.days.:eek: Which normally would mean an exciting time was about to be had by all. But I tacked him up and my instructor lunged him for about five minutes and then I rode. He was wonderful and calm and relaxed. I think my instructor was right that Conjure would prefer to be a western horse again.

[katarine]

Told ya glad it’s working for you.

[WallyTonka]

[QUOTE=pAin’t_Misbehavin’;7067504]
I love it. So very comfortable! Your feet are right underneath you, too - no chair seat. And the twist is not wide at all. It’s narrower than the twist on my Duett english AP saddle.

My horse loved it too. He hadn’t been ridden for ten.days.:eek: Which normally would mean an exciting time was about to be had by all. But I tacked him up and my instructor lunged him for about five minutes and then I rode. He was wonderful and calm and relaxed. I think my instructor was right that Conjure would prefer to be a western horse again.:)[/QUOTE]

Hello. I am new to the forum but considering this model saddle. I wondered if you still like it and would purchase it again after having ridden in it for a while now. Many thanks!

[qhwpmare]

I have ridden in my Fabtron Lady Trail Flex for 3 years and absolutely will recommend it . Lightweight, but quality, made in USA.