I am coming over from the H/J world and am looking for a western saddle that has a flatter seat. I have ridden in a couple that make me feel locked in for lack of a better term and makes me very uncomfortable. I would like a western saddle for flat work at home as well as trailriding. I doubt I will ever show western but who knows it might happen.
Are you not liking a higher cantle like those of barrel saddles? If that’s what it is then reining and a good amount of trail saddles will have a lower cantle that won’t feel as constricting.
Try a cutter.
Many cutters, especially Buster Welch tree and seat, or maybe an Avila reiner.
They tend to be made for men, flatter and without a narrow rise, as women’s seats are made.
[QUOTE=Bluey;8917957]
Many cutters, especially Buster Welch tree and seat, or maybe an Avila reiner.
They tend to be made for men, flatter and without a narrow rise, as women’s seats are made.[/QUOTE]
I was going to also recommend an Avila Reiner.
Barrel saddles tend to have a pocket that holds you in. I agree with a cutter or reining saddle.
Old flat seat, low cantle ‘50s and’ 60s saddles. Sometimes listed on ebay as bulldogger saddle. They sell for under $200 a lot. The seat isn’t confining and those saddles seem to put me in a more balanced or classcal seat. I can’t stand western saddles that dictate how I sit or that put me in chair seat.
I’d recommend a Fallis Balanced Ride–flatter seat that places you over the horse’s center of gravity (not sitting back on the cantle in a “chair seat”), plus a less bulky rigging so your leg is closer to the horse. Definitely NOT a saddle that locks you in place.
I have jusr switched from a barrel saddle and tried my friend’s Craig Cameron Ranch Cutter saddle which I like so much more. In the barrel not only did I feel locked in but I also felt pitched forward. I tried her Circle Y Park and Trail and hated it as well. She says that I might like an equitation saddle and says that she is going to pull hers out of the bag for me to try but I don’t need all that bling of a show saddle so we will see. I am going to try to locate some of those brands suggested and try riding in some to see what I prefer. I sat in the barrel on the saddle stand and thought I liked it but apparently sitting in it on a saddle stand is way different than on an actual horse.
Thanks guys for the suggestions.
