Question on gullet and tree sizes

[dacasodivine]

In a western my horse takes full qh bars with 7" gullet.

I have been looking on ebay at endurance saddle and have noticed that sizes are different or are made for really wide horses.

For instance a King Series Trekker Neutron listed as having full qh bars with your choice of regular (8") or wide (9").

There was another saddle with semi qh bars with a 7 in gullet. Usually that size gullet will have full qh bars.

How am I supposed to know what to get?

And then some saddles sit differently. I bought a no name synthetic western saddle with a 7" gullet that was too wide. No more no names for me!

Saddle shopping is so frustrating!

[GallopingGrape]

Stear clear of the King Series saddles, cheap! Every saddle maker is going to have a different size in his semi or full bars. Its maddening and not uniform from maker to maker. Dont forget, not only do you need the correct gullet width, but the angle of the bars, rock, no rock, length of tree, etc. Some folks think that ALL Full Qtr bars will fit their horse… every single tree is made differently. Find a reputable dealer that will give you a free trial period, or saddle fitting!!

[dacasodivine]

Unfortunately, right now, I can’t afford a saddle from a maker that will allow a trial.

I have been considering an Abetta endurance. While on Ebay I did a general seach for endurance saddles which is how I saw so many differences on sizing. Maybe I’ll just stick with Abetta or Big Horn or something along those lines.

Thanks

[SouthernTrailsGA]

Kim is correct, stay away from any of the King Series

Abetta make a descent Endurance that is under 400.00

http://www.southerntrails.us/images/20554_cmyk-c.jpg

If you like the old fashioned Abetta with the standard seat padding they are about 20-30.00 less than that

.

[dacasodivine]

I really appreciate knowing what to stay away from. I KNOW to stay away from Hilason.

Thanks

Thought I would ad that I’m not using this horse for endurance, just light riding. I have been using a 15" for so long it never occured to me that my behind didn’t really fit anymore until I saw a picture. I even boarded this horse for 9 months and regularly road her and no one said anything! LOL

She’s not a real big mare and has a shortish back so I was looking for something with a round skirt. I really prefer to stay western or westernish so endurance saddles seemed like a good choice.

[Golden_Pony]

Try the Abetta’s. Their wide tree is a good “full” QTR HRSE plus. They are lightweight (17 lbs.) and pretty well made.

[PRS]

Have you considered treeless? I just moved from my western saddle to a Sensation G3 Hybrid (never thought I would give up the saddle horn) and I can tell you I’ve never been the least bit sorry. This saddle is hands down the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever ridden in. My horse likes it too. My 26 year old mare extended her trot for the first time EVER under saddle! My gelding used to swish his tail when cantering…not anymore! Sensation makes several “english” saddle but they also make the hybrid, a western version and the Westlish Rebel which is more western than the hybrid. I found the saddle to suprisingly secure and stable. I have stuck through some significant spooks and a buck or two and can and have mounted from the ground. I demoed and purchased mine from Melissa at Freedomtreeless.com
That’s my horse and saddle…second one down:
http://www.freedomtreeless.com/Gallery.html

[dacasodivine]

PRS, I have considered treeless but can’t afford one right now. Not a good one anyway. I’m hoping to finish school this year then will be working so can afford a better saddle. Another consideration is I am a heavy rider so might be limited on what treeless I can get. I’m on that treeless yahoo board and kind of get mixed thoughts on heavy riders in treeless saddles.

In the meantime, I need something not too expensive. I have thought about english but in truth I’m more comfortable with western. I’ve even considered an Australian sadddle. They look like a nice cross between the two, but I don’t know enough about them to make an informed buy.

Golden Pony, I will probably go for an Abetta. Most of what I have read, people are pretty happy with them.