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I'm getting a Steele saddle on demo - UPDATE!!

Endurance and Trail Riding
#1

I’m excited! I’ve posted a lot about my love of my Bob Marshall saddles, but many here have told me of the issues involved with long term use of treeless saddles (thank you Guilherme!). So, I tired a Desoto – didn’t work for me, but I didn’t order a custom saddle to fit my QH. I have an Abetta Trinity and am working on making that one work (stirrups are too long and a bit too far back for me). I also use/have a Fabtron for my Walkers.

So, after much thought, I’m going to demo a Steele saddle for my QH http://www.steelesaddle.com/.

It should ship out today or tomorrow and they are VERY nice to work with. I’m trying the Steele Mountaineer with short stirrups.

I will keep everyone updated and would love to hear if anyone out there is or has ridden in a Steele.

Thanks Oh Great COTHers!! :smiley:

#2

I have used the Steele Mountaineer for a couple years. I love it!

#3

Steele is a good company with a good product.

Hope it works out for you!!! :slight_smile:

G.

#4

G – you ARE the man!! They have been wonderful to work with. Very helpful on the phone, I never felt rushed. Nice folks.

#5

Don’t ya just LUV it when a plan comes together?!?!?!?! :lol:

G,

#6

You will love it!
:smiley:

#7

Plan? PLAN!? I don’t plan, I stumble and fall and get surprised and make funny noises and entertain my friends. At my age you’d think I’d know better. :wink:

#8

I like the looks of that saddle, please let us know how it rides!

#9

deep, secure seats, well placed stirrup bars, excellent balance, top quality leather. Great saddles…if you like that deep seat :wink:

#10

Nice looking saddle. I rather like how the english-style Mountaineer looks.

But alas, out of my budget range.

Hope it works out for you.

#11

Me too

Funny you should mention it my husband is trying the Steele Mountaineer. We just received it last weekend and have only ridden in it once. The weather is supposed to be very nice this Saturday so will give it a good try. Glad to see that others have had good luck with this saddle.

When we were shopping for gaited horses there were many sellers using and loving their Steele saddles.

I found the stirrups on the Steele too far forward for my taste, but my husband liked it alot. It has a very deep seat and the quality appears to be excellent. Not as heavy as the Tucker he currently rides in.

Funny too you tried a Desoto; that is the saddle I have and absolutely love it.

Be sure to post after you’ve tried the Steele.

#12

RackOn, Steele will adjust stirrups (and some other aspects of the saddle) to suit the customer. It’s not an “unlimited” adjustment as you’d have with a full custom made saddle, but there is some flexibility.

My wife really liked her Steele which she used on our Walkers when we had them. I rode in it from time to time and never really liked it all that well. I have a friend from Anchorage, AK who rides in one and loves it. I tried it out and it was better but still not my “cup of tea.”

In both cases the quality was excellent and the Steele service outstanding.

G.

#13

Steele Saddle Companies service is great. I had a riding accident in 2007 one of the fenders was torn off. I sent it back to them and they fixed it.

No charge or shipping fee! They did call me and asked what in the world happened? The told that has never happened to on e of there saddles. LOL!

You can send it back and they will make any adjustments.

#14

[quote=RackOn;3862204]
When we were shopping for gaited horses there were many sellers using and loving their Steele saddles.

[quote]

Hubby rides in an older Gaits of Gold saddle for his TWH. He loves that saddle. I don’t care for it much. We did have an issue with the fender wearing through at the stirrup and we had a terrible time getting a replacement fender (I think GofG sold to National Bridle). :no:

#15

Update

Well, the husband had a good long ride in the Mountaineer yesterday and really really liked it. I suspect he will buy one.

Fit seemed to be good - it was difficult to see the sweat pattern since his mare has her long winter coat, but she was gaiting comfortably in it, nice long strides and moving freely in the front. A really nice, loose head shake.

The stirrup adjustment system is really slick and easy, and the saddle is relatively lightweight which is a definite advantage for the horse.

I’ve been thinking of trying the gaits of gold saddle but read several less than complimentary reviews about its construction. What kind of withers/back shape does your husband’s horse have?

I think the Steele saddles must hold their value very well - you seldom see them on ebay.

They are somewhat pricey, but a saddle is one thing I don’t stress about spending $ on. In my mind, a good fitting saddle is a necessity.

Good luck!

#16

You’re very wise to be very careful with the Gaits of Gold products. They have not fared well in “consumer review” department. There have been persistant complaints about quality, durability, and customer service.

Steele has been around a long time. I’m sure you’ll turn up a disgruntled consumer from time to time but their general reputation appears to be excellent for quality, durability, and customer service.

Put another way, they are fine example of the principle that quality doesn’t cost, it pays!!! :lol:

G.

#17

I don’t like Gaits of Gold products. Overpriced, overstuffed, over-ego’d.

I doubt she sold to Nat’l Bridle, they just carry her stuff after her deal with Circle Y went south.

#18

About the only time you see a used Steele saddle is when the owner sells the horse and stops riding.
I am devastated because I am slowly shrinking out of my used Steele.

#19

I agree 110%!

#20

UPDATE!!

Okay, I have my demo and did put it on my boy and took did a short ride out the back. It is wonderful, but I think it is too narrow in the front.

Any one out there with a Steele, and does it normally seem more snug that a traditional western saddle?

I did call Eric and discuss this, but I may have to send him some pictures.

Any comments??

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