Rocking R Saddles

[ASpoonfullaSplash]

Hi all!

So I’ve been on the hunt for a new saddle for my new mare. I currently have a Tough-1 trainer :disgust: that is way to tight in her shoulders without the pad.

I received my EZ Saddle Fit Tool from Horse Saddle Shop and she measured at “D1.” HSS emailed me back with a couple options, one is way out of my price range and one being a Rocking R Trainer 1300 in the Medium Equi-fit tree. Supposedly this is between SQHB and FQHB?

The Rocking R saddles seem to have decent reviews online, but I am SO nervous about dropping almost $1000 on a saddle! LOL I think I am overthinking it more than anything. Anyways…

My only concern is that she is a bit under-muscled right now due to being out of real work due to the saddle issue and a cold, hard winter here in Illinois. I’m worried about getting a saddle too tight once she is back in routine work.

Should I be this nervous?! I have had the same saddle between two other horses in my life so I have not had to do this in many years!

Thanks in advance for staying with me! :dead:

[farmergirl]

What brand is the expensive saddle?

[ASpoonfullaSplash]

The other one is a brand new Dakota trainer.

[ASpoonfullaSplash]

@farmergirl

What brand is the expensive saddle?

The other one is a brand new Dakota trainer for almost $200 more.

[Stitch_In_Time]

Rockin R is a lower end western saddle, they’re not bad, but definitely not the most comfortable.

I would join a couple Facebook groups and look for a better quality used training saddle.

[TMares]

They aren’t a Phil Harris but they did a ton of private label saddle making for Phil Harris back in the day, so there’s that.

I currently own two Rocking R saddles I bought new directly from the shop in Ider, AL. Both are the ‘lady trail’ saddle that were customized to fit my horse’s shapes. They are nice, well made, balanced saddles.

I would call Hilason lower end. I would call Rocking R a solid, mid-priced saddle that’s a great value for the money. I have only limited experience with Dakotas, so I won’t comment on them.

Bicycle seat:
https://flic.kr/p/5sSt2b
https://flic.kr/p/5sN2u4
https://flic.kr/p/5sNwsn

Jake’s hardseat. I’ve owned this saddle for 15+ years and it’s my favorite using saddle:
https://flic.kr/p/7svJq1
https://flic.kr/p/7srEcR

the two galloots the day I got the bicycle seat saddle:
https://flic.kr/p/7srJV8
https://flic.kr/p/7srJtg

[ASpoonfullaSplash]

Thank you all! Does anyone have experience with RS Saddles? I was considering this brand as well.

@TMares - I appreciate the photos! How well do you like the fit to your horses? Can you tell me what the bar/gullet measurements are? That’s the one thing that HSS does not provide.

[TMares]

They were both custom made for the two horses shown, they aren’t standard trees and they are great fits lol. I can say they are fairly standard Steele trees and they aren’t unusually narrow or wide by default. You might Google for those specific measurements.

[VAQUERO_45]

Rocking R now a days is the South Bend Saddle Comp …

[TMares]

Yes, they closed some time after the owner passed away. A sad loss for the community.

[farmergirl]

I don’t think I’d buy a dakota. Knowing the two brands they are recommending, I’d guess that most quality saddles built on a full quarter horse tree should fit your horse. I also think if you watch on facebook you could find a billy cook, flick, wenger, or other “nicer” brand for less than the rocking r or dakota. I’d guess you could find something at a tack swap in the midwest for around $600.