On the saddle hunt again....with abudget of about $800...

[Freebird]

So, after much research, I had pretty much decided that a ASC Rubicon was the way to go. Then I had to use my saddle money to build new fencing and a tack/feedroom, so I just made do with my old saddle - that doesn’t really fit my mare. Then someone bought my saddle,and its leaving today - yikes!

I don’t like horns, or western saddles, and I’m not sure I’d like a treeless. Also, I’m not crazy about the blocky knee pads or super high cantels on most Dressage saddles. I also like the freedom to be able to ride short.

So, tell me about lower end English endurance saddles. I’ve seen a few Collegiant Endurance saddles that look comfy. Are they?

What about Thornhill? Or Synergyst? Or the Stubben Scout or Duett Trail?

Is there one that is better then the others?

[Kitt]

It depends on the horse you’re trying to fit; it’s not possible to make any sort of meaningful recommendations without seeing at least a photo (and preferably a template) of the horse in question. There are saddles out there in your price range, and if you could post a photo here (or a link to one), it would be easier to make recommendations.

[psidio]

RE: Budget

There was an old Western cowboy song that had the line, “With a $10 horse and a $40 saddle, I’m headed out punching Texas Catttle,Whoop a tie yie yippie yippie yay…”

When a cowboy had to spend long hours in the saddle, day after day, he knew the importance of a well fittingt saddle.

So, if you are going to just ride for short periods every once and a while, you can get away with a less fitted saddle… If you are doing Endurance Riding, then fit is critical, especially at the 50 mile and up distances.

So if, you take the old cowboy ratio of 4 to 1 for cost of saddle compared to the cost of the horse…???

Sommetimes you can find a used Eurolite Specialized SAddle for $1,000-$1,200.

Have fun

Paul N. Sidio
Spokane MO.

[chicamuxen1]

Paul,
What kind of withers and back does you horse have? To my knowledge the older (used) Scouts only go up to 32cm in width which Stueben calls a wide but I would term a Med-Wide. The new Stuebens have 34 CM available.

Duetts have hoop trees for the ride backed horses, as does the ASC saddles. The Companion Trail and the Tango (dressage/trail) have trees designed for the shorter backed horse (more curve to the tree). Of course many Arabs have that short curved back…

Some other english saddles have that banana type curve but most don’t. So if you have a typical Arab you may want to look for the hoop tree with the curve in it. The ASC saddles are Lovatt & Ricketts so some of their models may have the right shape but be priced better.

Good Luck

Bonnie Snodgrass

[Freebird]

This isn’t a great picture, but it’s a recent picture of Diva:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202281535055998&set=a.1593822801694.2086514.1119655844&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn2%2F1463164_10202281535055998_530933280_n.jpg&size=718%2C538

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

Your link doesn’t work. :no:

[Freebird]

Sorry - try it now.

[Kitt]

Can’t tell about width or tree type, but something with a flatter tree and minimal rear panel will be a help. A full front gusset and point front and swing rear billets might be a help as well. If your horse is a hoop-tree candidate, I’ll second chicamuxen1’s recommendation of Duetts or ASC/Lovatt and Ricketts.

You can check with a local fitter to see if they have anything that might work, or you can contact Nancy Okun and send templates and photos. She’s a competitive trail rider as well as an excellent long-distance fitter, and she could help you out.

[not_again]

I know several successful endurance riders who use Ortho-Flex or American-Flex dressage saddles. We still have a few in the tack room and find that they are wonderful for fit and comfort.

[chebeau]

My gelding has a somewhat similar back. He goes well in his Lovatt and Rickets Solstice and the Arabian treed Abetta Endurance. I like both for myself. The Abetta was tons easier on the checkbook. I did change the Abetta to English leathers, and it is the one with the memory foam seat. The leathers allow me to ride short or long comfortably. The tree shape may be too curved, but have you looked at a County Drespri or Eventer? You can ride shorter and they are comfy. Plus, you can find some deals on them.

Happy saddle hunting!

[Emilia]

I would just like to say the Duett Trail might work, if your horse does not have much of withers.

I went with Duett Fidelio, because of this issue. Our horse has short flat back and a bubble butt, so Fidelio had to be reflocked somewhat, but it works now.

Some dressage saddles have removable blocks, i.e. you do not have to use them. I don’t like them either, so I removed them. I can ride shorter, too (not short, short).

Fidelio has a deeper seat, yet not confining.

If you were interested in Duetts, you might need to do your tracings and have them compared, because their tree sizes are a tad uneven. Nancy readily acknowledges it and so does Trumbull Mountain.

Duetts have hoop trees to accommodate horses with broad shoulders.

Also, if you do your research on Duetts, you will find out, many people claim they run small seat-wise, meaning, to get 17", you might need 18".

I have 17.5" for my 118 lb frame. I have spider legs though and Fidelio is their deepest model, I believe (= seat shrinks a bit).

I would agree with the above posters, do not skimp on a saddle. Get the best you can for the money you have.

[Scaredacoops]

If you don’t mind going synthetic, look at the Thorowgood endurance saddle (Jill Thomas version). It is wool flocked with changeable gullet and has plenty of rings to hang gear on. A saddle fitter I know said they are made in England and well designed. My endurance rider friend does 100’s in them and has found them very comfortable for her and her horses.

[chebeau]

http://www.hastilowusa.com/saddles/thorowgood-saddles/jill-thomas-endurance-saddle.html

Here is the US dealer for the Thorowgood Endurance. I happened upon one one ebay about a year ago and tried it. The very picky Stinky Pony was not a fan, but my trainer’s big Trakener cross loved it. Nice saddles…the dealer at Hastilow is super helpful.

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

Another vote for the Thorowgood endurance. My horse is hard to fit, and it works really well for him. It’s also really comfortable and puts your leg underneath you nicely. I ride 50s in it, I don’t need any kind of sheepskin or seat saver on top, and my horse gets an A on his back scores all the way through the ride. I use it with a Woolback pad (This one fits it well) and Thinline inserts for shock absorption.

[Equibrit]

There’s a bunch of good used saddles available here at reasonable prices;
http://www.pelham-saddlery.com/tack/allpurposeused.html

[Freebird]

[QUOTE=Equibrit;7315969]
There’s a bunch of good used saddles available here at reasonable prices;
http://www.pelham-saddlery.com/tack/allpurposeused.html[/QUOTE]

THANK you for that link! I LOVE how they have their saddles categorized - SO easy to navigate! Has anyone bought a saddle from them?

[not_again]

We also like Horseclicks for saddle shopping.

http://www.horseclicks.com/saddles-for-sale?ads_bid=430

[Lisa_Preston]

Have you considered the easytrek saddles?

[candysgirl]

No idea if the Scout would fit your horse or not, but I love Stubbens in general.

I trail ride, foxhunt and do endurance rides in my Roxane. Its comfy. I have several other models as well for my other horse and as extras.

[Buttonwillow]

I’ve recently been riding on a friend’s easytrek (on her horse). It suits the horse and is comfortable enough for me, although the twist seems quite wide (or is there none? I know nothing about this). My friend likes the saddle a great deal. Try it out…