Saddles for wider and big shouldered Arabs!

[paintedtrails]

Got a new horse, and he is built so much different than my previous Arab.

Definitely needs at least a wide tree, if not one meant for a gaited horse with some shoulder flair/relief. He is also not muscled up at the moment so I know things could change which has me worried about buying a saddle this year. I am currently hoping to get by for a while with a friends wide (borrowed) that seem to fit.

I’m considering these saddles and trying to hear from folks who’ve gone endurance distances as I would like to move up to 50s+ with this horse.

Stonewall - I had one for my previous horse and really found it great overall, but we didn’t do over 30miles. New horse measures a wide by her cards, but it is still not perfect. (can’t afford new or custom, so would be seeking used Wide tree)

Ghost Treeless - I used to ride treeless before the Stonewall and like the idea of being able to adjust as needed. I will be demoing one in July. A few of his siblings are competing in Treeless (they are all hard to fit saddles to!)

Crestridge Ovation - they say he needs an Extra wide and extra padding as it still won’t be right, so I think this one is out.

Phoenix Saddles - Originally made for gaited horses; Provides the shoulder relief he needs, will fit nicely in their wide tree. A bit heavier saddle than I really want, but probably the best treed option for his conformation. I know of one other person riding in one (also not gaited), and I hope to try hers out this summer.

Sharon Saare - A few of his siblings are competing in these, but can’t afford new (not sure you can get new anymore?) and have to figure out which tree he needs.

Kuda Endurance Flex Tree or Enduro Flex - Again, heavier than I really want, but looks comfy. I guess the Boz saddles also fall into this type of tree.

Minimalist types like Podium, Pandora, Setzi - not sure if they work on this type of horse conformation.

Thanks!

[chicamux]

I really like my Ghost saddle, a LOT! It has a flexible split carbon fiber base which will spread to fit your horse. It has a nice narrow twist for YOUR comfort. I do suggest that you try a firm pad under it as the Ghost saddle pad can make the saddle feel a bit bouncy.

[paintedtrails]

I have two leads on a wide stonewall - one a demo, and one just popped up for sale in NM.

Also found Double Diamond Saddles that does the Steel Trees, with a ‘custom fit’ system.

too many choices!

[wylde_sage]

Try Badlands Equine for Ghost saddles. Marlene knows her saddles and will go above and beyond to help you get a great fit. I have a used Sharon Saare that fits my broad shouldered mustang. I believe they do still make these, as this one is a new custom one that I picked up at a consignment saddle shop. Good Luck!

[paintedtrails]

[QUOTE=wylde sage;8718567]
Try Badlands Equine for Ghost saddles. Marlene knows her saddles and will go above and beyond to help you get a great fit. I have a used Sharon Saare that fits my broad shouldered mustang. I believe they do still make these, as this one is a new custom one that I picked up at a consignment saddle shop. Good Luck![/QUOTE]

Yep! I have been working with her over email and she has already figured out what shims I might need so when I demo in July it will be the most correct it can.

I guess I’m so worried about buying something because I know he will change as he gets more fit and I hate to be in the same boat in short amount of time!

[chicamux]

I got sick and tired of spending money on saddles and saddle fitters. I will only buy saddles that I can adjust myself. Needs to have flex as part of the saddle also.

[paintedtrails]

[QUOTE=chicamux;8719375]
I got sick and tired of spending money on saddles and saddle fitters. I will only buy saddles that I can adjust myself. Needs to have flex as part of the saddle also.[/QUOTE]

Haha! I hear ya!
What pad are you using under the ghost?

I think I’m down to another Stonewall wide tree, a Phoenix wide tree, or Ghost. All three have my tracings and conformation pictures and have great customer service.

I should get to demo a wide stonewall and ghost in July, the Phoenix I need to take a day trip to try a friend’s Wide…then I guess I can make a final decision. The Ghost is by far the most affordable option, but the other two aren’t completely out as I can probably find a way to get the funds for one by putting off some other things…

[paintedtrails]

Leon Liversage? Double Diamond?

I’m going to test ride a standard and wide tree Phoenix on Monday.

The wide abetta I am using is leaving dry spots either side of withers, so trying to keep our distances and such to a minimum to not cause issues! Makes me think the wide stonewall won’t work either, since it was their ‘wide boomerangle’ that I matched up to this abetta to know we could give it a shot. I can see from how it matches it exactly where the dry spots are coming from. Plus my legs feel too far in front of me in it…

Plan to demo ghost still, just had to postpone…
if we make it the end of August without a saddle that works, there is a Leon Liversage dealer who can bring several style for us to try at a ride. Any feedback on these? a little pricier and have to wait for one from Italy if it works out.

Lastly is the Double Diamond - haven’t see much feedback on those. He has several endurance models that might work if the mapping tool finds a Steele tree that fits and they are reasonably priced for ‘custom’.

The SS isn’t out of the mix, I just don’t know what tree we need.

There are a few Wide/X-wide Synergist up for sale, just not sure I’ll like the saddle position and don’t want to commit to buying to find out I don’t (and then possibly have to send it in for further customizing too for the tree)

[paintedtrails]

Just updating for anyone else in the same boat… We have gone with a Phoenix Rising Saddle (Imus 4 beat). Fits him great, no pressure points and is super comfy for me too!

[paintedtrails]

and back to square one

And unfortunately that didn’t last
He fit and moved really well in a standard Phoenix tree for about a month, then he didn’t. So she sent me a wide and it was still having issues rolling as well as it seemed to contact one shoulder too much…

So, Now I’m back to considering treeless until he is fit and muscled up and then would consider a more “custom” option. Dude does not fit easily on saddles!
Specialized even said it would have to be a tree made post 2010 that might work as I was considering used…

Now I just wait to hear when I can demo the Ghost!

[Stushica]

Try to demo a Leon Liversage… I’m a huge advocate because I ride one on many many different horses. They’re short in the panels and allow it to sit in your horses “sweet spot” on their back, plus the bottom panels are somewhat flexible/ adjustable and really spread out the riders weight. The other folks that I know that ride in them have thousands of miles and A+'s on backs. If we’re ever at a ride together I have a Haboob I would gladly let you try, or you can wander over to the Dinkelmann Arabian’s trailer and Cristo would be more than glad to let you try one of his Enduro light’s, or his Kentucky.

My Arab mare is kind of fat and warmblood shaped, but I’ve also ridden a number of TWH’s and more arab shaped arab horses in it for 50’s and have yet to have an issue.

[DancingArabian]

I have a Ghost saddle and I also have a short backed, big shouldered Arabian. He loves the Gjost saddle. He gets mad when he feels his shoulders are blocked and he loved that saddle from the first ride.

[AKB]

My daughter’s Arabian/Irish Draught has a County saddle that fits him well.

[paintedtrails]

[QUOTE=Stushica;8928653]
Try to demo a Leon Liversage… I’m a huge advocate because I ride one on many many different horses. They’re short in the panels and allow it to sit in your horses “sweet spot” on their back, plus the bottom panels are somewhat flexible/ adjustable and really spread out the riders weight. The other folks that I know that ride in them have thousands of miles and A+'s on backs. If we’re ever at a ride together I have a Haboob I would gladly let you try, or you can wander over to the Dinkelmann Arabian’s trailer and Cristo would be more than glad to let you try one of his Enduro light’s, or his Kentucky.

My Arab mare is kind of fat and warmblood shaped, but I’ve also ridden a number of TWH’s and more arab shaped arab horses in it for 50’s and have yet to have an issue.[/QUOTE]

I would love to demo one at a ride, however I can’t afford it new and haven’t seen them used yet.

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