My hard-to-fit horse has expensive taste in saddles...

[SuckerForHorses]

So my stout little QH is very hard to fit…we’ve tried so many saddles on him that I’ve lost count of how many and which brands! :mad: And I’m in Vermont, where there aren’t a lot of places with varying brands…we pretty much have Circle Y, TexTan, Dakota, and a few others thrown in, but nothing really of quality.

This past weekend I brought him to the trainer’s where he’ll be for the next two months (barrel racing trainer). I was concerned about saddle fit, because he’s been so difficult to fit - even the saddle I’m riding him with isn’t the best fit, but it’s the best we’ve found.

Trainer has a nice Martin Saddlery barrel racer…these suckers are $2000+ brand new, and used ones go for no less than like $1800. And of course…IT FIT LIKE A GLOVE!

So now I’m on the hunt for an affordable used Martin barrel racer! :lol:

Seriously…why couldn’t he just have fit in a Circle Y!!!

[Pocket_Pony]

You might want to get the info on that Martin that you tried - my saddle fitter said that at some point they changed the trees to have more rock, so it would be good to know what it was about that tree that worked for your horse.

[craz4crtrs]

I tried to buy a Martin. But even though they really widen the gullet, the shoulders were too straight and too much rock. Martin was great about sending me a demo saddle. Wonderful customer service.

Look at the Courts. I ended up with the Miss America all around and I love it. I also have the lite roper that fits my daughters horse better than mine. I had nothing to ride my mare in so bought the stock lite roper to get me by. My saddle was customized for me. Darker leather and I got a bigger seat.

I will try to post a couple of pictures from my computer. Or message them. My iPad won’t let me.

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;7595200]
You might want to get the info on that Martin that you tried - my saddle fitter said that at some point they changed the trees to have more rock, so it would be good to know what it was about that tree that worked for your horse.[/QUOTE]

Yep, the Cheri Cervi trees are the ones with more rock. This is the regular Martin barrel racer.

[craz4crtrs]

My Courts lite roper
https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/p417x417/1240469_10201152851916608_1301531072_n.jpg

My Courts Miss America custom
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t31.0-8/1417695_10201470386014762_926716221_o.jpg

[craz4crtrs]

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;7595281]
Yep, the Cheri Cervi trees are the ones with more rock. This is the regular Martin barrel racer.[/QUOTE]

And make sure what width gullet, because they come in all widths. The wider the gullet doesn’t mean its wide in the shoulders though.

[SuckerForHorses]

Look at the Courts.

I know the Martin fit though…that’s why I would like to find a used Martin like the one the trainer has. I don’t want to buy a Courts and have it not fit, like the remaining 84 saddles we’ve tried on him :lol:

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=craz4crtrs;7595296]
And make sure what width gullet, because they come in all widths. The wider the gullet doesn’t mean its wide in the shoulders though.[/QUOTE]

Indeed.

I get annoyed myself when people on facebook tack for sale groups say “Is it a 7.5” gullet because that’s what my horse needs!" nevermind that different brand trees are varying shapes with more or less flare in the shoulder, more or less rock, etc etc etc.

[craz4crtrs]

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;7595298]
I know the Martin fit though…that’s why I would like to find a used Martin like the one the trainer has. I don’t want to buy a Courts and have it not fit, like the remaining 84 saddles we’ve tried on him :lol:[/QUOTE]

Trust me, I understand. This mare has been a nightmare to fit. I just lucked out that a custom saddle shop was a Courts dealer and fit a tree to her that this model was really close to.

I didn’t mean just order a Courts saddle, but may be try one on from a dealer if you found one or if a used one popped up. Just another well made but wide saddle.

The gullet width was towards the Martin. I tried a 7, and an 8 in gullet, neither fit. I tried the all around and the Crown C models. Maybe the 7.5 may have fit, but never could find one to try.

If you take the model and serial number off that Martin that does fit, then you know what gullet width the tree is. And the year it was made. Some times Martin puts serial numbers under the near side fender up high.

Good luck. I hope you find the perfect fit for both of you.

[Beverley]

Oh yes, I feel your pain. My gelding wears expensive because it’s what fits.

[craz4crtrs]

[QUOTE=Beverley;7595367]
Oh yes, I feel your pain. My gelding wears expensive because it’s what fits.[/QUOTE]

The Courts custom saddle is the most expensive saddle I have ever purchased, including the Paul’s Custom cow horse saddle that fit my fjordX, but not near wide enough for my mare, and the custom wade type that fit her but not me at all. I am tickled that my saddle fits us both, been a long journey to get here.

[SuckerForHorses]

If you take the model and serial number off that Martin that does fit, then you know what gullet width the tree is. And the year it was made. Some times Martin puts serial numbers under the near side fender up high.

Yeah, I’m going to get as many specifics as I can when I got back for my lesson in two weeks. I want to know EVERYTHING about the saddle so I can find something that is the same! :lol:

[SuckerForHorses]

The trainer advised against the Crown C specifically…something about tipping me forward in the saddle I think…I am going to ask him to elaborate when I go down for my lesson. If the Crown C fits the horse, well, I can deal with a little tipping forward at this point… :lol:

[Beverley]

[QUOTE=craz4crtrs;7595388]
The Courts custom saddle is the most expensive saddle I have ever purchased, including the Paul’s Custom cow horse saddle that fit my fjordX, but not near wide enough for my mare, and the custom wade type that fit her but not me at all. I am tickled that my saddle fits us both, been a long journey to get here.[/QUOTE]

Oh, I loved the Courts reiner type but sadly didn’t work. The way more expensive McCall Wade did.

[La_Gringa]

The rear cinch should fit well enough to prevent tipping forward if this happens, it’s what the rear cinch is for.

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=La Gringa;7597237]
The rear cinch should fit well enough to prevent tipping forward if this happens, it’s what the rear cinch is for.[/QUOTE]

The rear cinch does NOTHING for the RIDER’s position in the saddle.

[SuckerForHorses]

UPDATE: ![]( found a used Martin barrel racer, same as my trainer’s saddle, on Craigslist! Took a chance, talked to the woman, PayPal’d her the $1200 and got my saddle on Friday!

It was a great deal…the saddle is new. Like, never been ridden in. She won it as a trophy saddle in 2008, it’s been in her house ever since. She needed money for surgery on another horse, decided the saddle was easy money. I called and talked with Martin about this saddle and my trainer’s saddle, and after much deliberation between us, they determined it was the same tree (based on saddle years, style of rigging, etc)

Considering the well used up Martin barrel saddles are going from $1800 online everywhere else, I’m glad I found this one for $1200 and the thing is literally brand new, but a few years old.

Now I can’t wait until my horse returns from the trainer so I can ride in it! It’s WAY too wide for the horse I’m riding while he is gone!

[IMG]http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff2/agonyaw/Public%20Album/MartinSaddle_zps045d0635.jpg)

[Pocket_Pony]

Wow, lucky you!!! Great find! :yes:

[craz4crtrs]

Great job. Congrats on the new saddle. When I tried to buy a Martin they were really good to work with. The rep kept wanting to sell me the Crown C, even with wider gullets, just not the right shape for her.

I sure like my saddle, feels like home everytime I ride in it.

[SuckerForHorses]

I’m so happy I found something! I was pointed in the direction of the Craigslist ad from someone on the barrelhorseworld.com forums. I can’t wait to ride in it!