looking for saddle with flatter seat and stirrups set back

[SportArab]

I haven’t had a western saddle in a while (switched to dressage and jumpers years ago), but would like to find another.

Would like something with stirrups placed similarly to my dressage saddle (lines my heels up with my hips) and also isn’t so scoopy that I feel trapped between the pommel and the cantle.

Most of the ones I’ve tried at the local tack shop have stirrups placed too far forward and a deep seat that I feel trapped in (I like to be able to wiggle around).

Any suggestions? (Brands, types, etc)

[Bluey]

My suggestion, don’t go with preconceptions of what you think you like or don’t like, because western saddles can look one way and feel just right and another identical one not feel right at all.

Best is to keep sitting and riding in all kinds to find what feels best for you.

Example, I rode for years in my 14 1/2" ranch saddle, nicely snug in there and thought that is what I wanted, dismissed the looser, flatter reining saddles the reining trainer was trying to get me to try.
Until I tried one and guess what, now have also a 16" reining saddle, that fits just as good as the other one.

Then there are some western saddles, some wade ones I have tried, that feel like a real hard bump on a log.

[SportArab]

What I really don’t want is a saddle that puts me in a specific position. I’d like something looser and flatter - and also want the stirrup bars set back.

As I said, I did a lot of western riding and showing (western pleasure) back in the day and had a saddle that worked fine. It wasn’t any special brand, but it was perfect for me.

Hard to find saddle that is both flat in the seat (rather than deep) and has stirrups that line your butt up with your heels.

[js]

Perhaps look for a western saddle with an equitation seat? I have an old Circle Y that is an equitation saddle, more open flatter seat than say a barrel racing saddle. Try something with a cut away skirt it may make it easier for the stirrup fender to fall more naturally for your heel/hip alignment.

[lpcutter]

I was looking at saddles and a lot of the reining, cutting and some of the trail saddles at Rod’s look like they are what you described. Like Bluey said, try a lot of saddles until you find what you need.

[UrbanHennery]

I’ve got a Bob’s reining saddle like that that’s looking for a new home. PM me if you want details.

[BayRoan]

Look at cutting and working cow horse saddles. The reiners tend to have the stirrups hung forward, but most of the cutters I’ve ridden have the stirrups hung more towards the middle, so you can sit mid-seat with your feet underneath you to sit over the horse’s center of gravity in the turns, or slide back against the cantle if you need your feet out front for a hard stop.

[Bluey]

Here is a good description of the different kinds of elements that can go into a Bob’s Custom saddle:

http://www.newwestcountrystore.com/store/pc/catalog/ResourceGuide.pdf

As their introduction tells, they are made where the stirrups hang for a more straight seat, similar to what dressage riders like and with a bit more freedom to the stirrups, understanding that you can’t get the same as in an English saddle with the narrow stirrup leathers.
Still, they tend to be hung close to the same place under the rider’s thigh.
That seems to be a principle of the old wade, single cinch saddles, but their overall balance is different.
It takes a long leg to achieve that straightness in them, in my rather limited experience with those.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

My Fabtron Lady Trail has stirrups set correctly. I can post no problem. It does have a high cantle, which I didn’t think I would like - but it turns out it’s great for trail riding as it gives your back a rest.

[time_fault]

My biggest problem is I want a high cantle and small swell. In theory a wade should be perfect, but try getting a wade tree on a barrel saddle! Not going to happen! My Antares is a fairly deep seat so that would explain my high cantle obsession for my barrel saddle.

[craz4crtrs]

[QUOTE=time fault;7651744]
My biggest problem is I want a high cantle and small swell. In theory a wade should be perfect, but try getting a wade tree on a barrel saddle! Not going to happen! My Antares is a fairly deep seat so that would explain my high cantle obsession for my barrel saddle.[/QUOTE]

You really need to ride in a wade style before buying one or ordering one. I ordered a modified wade because my mare was a hard fit. I hated it. Too flat a seat with too steep a cantle pushed me forward and the stirrup bars were set too far forward. It made me really unstable, especially on a fast horse on cows. Yikes.

I rode in a couple of barrel saddles that actually worked really well for me, but weren’t quite wide enough for my mare. I ended up with a custom Courts ladies all. Around. Love it. Higher cantle, not too high, wide enough pommel for big down hill rides, but not enough to feel trapped. I rode 13 miles up in the mountains a week or so ago, both the horse and I were comfy.

One of the barrel saddles I liked was a Steinhoff barrel saddle made by Double C. Very nice saddles for the money, and can customize the saddle pretty easily. They are in TX and usually have a lot of saddles in stock.

I also rode in an older Charmagne James Cactus barrel saddle, a little flatter set with a nice cantle height. It was a pretty nice saddle. New ones pretty spendy.

Courts has a light roper that I bought until my custom came in. It has a lower profile, flatter seat. Pommel not as high, still 4 in cantle. Really nice little saddle.

So do you already have a barrel saddle? Wasn’t sure by your comment. Not sure if any of this helps, so good luck.