Having trouble deciding if I should keep this saddle or not...

[TBFAN]

I’m trying out a very nice, new Crestridge saddle that fits my high withered TB very well. I can tell he likes it, and goes well in it.
It has a really comfortable gel seat, and I like the way it feels in the walk. However, at the trot, it seems to rub in the area just above my knees on both sides. It corresponds to the location of the rings where the rigging/cinch attaches to the saddle.

I have seen these rings are stitched into the skirt on other saddles, leaving the area under the knee flat. The rings on this saddle appear to be attached to the tree, and not recessed. Will this go away as the leather breaks in and softens?

It seems like I could live with it, if I sort of sat back and didn’t grip with my calf so much. I normally ride english, so I’m used to a close-contact feel in my saddles.

It’s really important that the saddle I get fits my horse who has a typical TB build and does not do well in qh type saddles. I would use the saddle for trail riding and some competitive trail classes. Wondering if I should keep this one since my horse likes it, or keep looking.

[Bluey]

Sounds like you have a saddle built for heavy roping.

The ones you are talking about, with in skirt rigging, are the kind today that are used for most any other kind of riding.
You can still rope with them, but maybe not the bigger stock.

If your horse is hard to fit and that saddle fits it well, see if you can get used to it.
If not, back to hunting for a saddle that fits both of you.

ANY western saddle feels like a bump on a log to me, compared with English ones.

[KateWooten]

I think it will be a non-issue. Not entirely sure, but I suspect that this will go away in time. And if it doesn’t, I think that you can experiment fairly cheaply with things like English girth converters to drop the bulk of the girth attachment down a few inches so it wasn’t a bother.

[TBFAN]

I was hoping it will go away as the leather breaks in, but then I thought what if it doesn’t - then I’ve paid for a saddle I can’t ride comfortably in.

They do have a saddle on their site that has some kind of “Sam Staggs” rigging, where the front ring looks like its set more forward, but its quite a bit more money.

Seems like the ring would be more secure attached to the tree, rather than in the skirt. Just wish there wasn’t a lump there too.

[craz4crtrs]

How are you tying the latigos? If you are tying a knot that could cause more bulk under your leg. A latigo looped and buckled is my preference. I can’t stand the extra leather under my legs.

[TBFAN]

Okay - thats an interesting question. The last time I rode western seriously was decades ago, and it seems like tying was the only option. Maybe a buckle would be smoother?

Also, I’m thinking this center-fire rigging may help the problem, possibly. Is there a special girth I need for this? Can I center-fire rig with a buckle cinch or only a tie?

THis probably seems obvious, but I haven’t done it in so long I’ve forgotten!

[craz4crtrs]

[QUOTE=TBFAN;6804578]
Okay - thats an interesting question. The last time I rode western seriously was decades ago, and it seems like tying was the only option. Maybe a buckle would be smoother?

Also, I’m thinking this center-fire rigging may help the problem, possibly. Is there a special girth I need for this? Can I center-fire rig with a buckle cinch or only a tie?

THis probably seems obvious, but I haven’t done it in so long I’ve forgotten![/QUOTE]

I use a mohair girth with roller buckles. http://www.kotrading.com/csc100-100mohairstraightcinch.aspx . Also either a half breed or off billet instead of a tied latigo for less bulk. http://www.kotrading.com/x921-berlincustomleatheroffbillet.aspx

You can do a center fire, but unless you are doing endurance or tons of hill work, it shouldn’t be necessary.

I will look to see if I have any pics of how I rig a saddle. I sent you a PM.

[TBFAN]

The saddle company recommends a center-fired rigging on both sides. I am just going to trail ride, but don’t want there to be uneven pressure on the saddle. Can I do the off-billet and buckle latigo without the center-fire and still have a balanced saddle?

I did try to english billets the company sent me on this saddle, and the position of those buckles were actually worse than the western rigging, so I’ve sent them back.

If it’s just a matter of getting the rigging to lie smoothly under my leg, I will probably keep the saddle, since it is very nice and my horse seems to like it.

[TBFAN]

Also wondering if the slide-by might be adding to the bulk under the leg? Does anyone else have these on their saddles?

[GallopingGrape]

Can you post pics so we can see which part is bothering you? If you do center fire on one side you HAVE to do it on both. Center fire will still buckle under your leg…

[TBFAN]

I can’t post pics but its the area where the seat area meets the fender - just above my knee. Basically it’s the cinch ring, I believe. I’ve ordered another saddle in this tree without the leather flap over the cinch ring (the slide-by) in the hopes that less bulk there will help.
This tree fits my horse so well I would hate to have to find another. I’ve sat in saddles with the in-skirt cinch ring and not had this problem.
Maybe I’m used to my close contact jumping saddle and will justhave to make it work.

[barrelracer12]

if it is directly under the stirrup leather you can stitch some fleece padding or any kind of padding under it or you can take some padding and make kind of a flap so you can lift it up as you tack up the saddle and putit down when you ride so it is more comfortable

[equinekingdom]

always awesome finding a saddle that fits the horse…hope it works out well for what you want it for!