Two questions:
Eileen
ETA: also, are bareback pads tough enough to post in?
Yes, they are legal.
Ansur has reps, they will let you try out saddles.
I have the Carlton and can only speak to that – but no, it does not feel like riding on a bareback pad and as such, riding on a bareback pad would not “prepare you” for the feel of riding in the Carlton.
There are no reps in my area – or at least none with a Carlton. When I bought mine I bit the bullet and took a chance. Lucky for me, it worked out. If it hadn’t, I would have just sold the thing on eBay.
Before I got mine, I got to ride in one when a rep was visiting family in the area.
I don’t know how she hooked up with our barn, but she left her saddle here for folks to try for several days. I liked it, but wasn’t ready to buy, yet…
In a few more months, one of the saddle shops had a brown one in on consignment. Didn’t like the color, but decided to take it on trial a few days and see if it was as nice as I’d remembered. Yep.
I ended up getting mine used off the Ansur website for a fair price. The seller was switching to a straw-tree traditional saddle for her gaited horse – don’t recall the breed.
I’ve been riding and competing in mine for probably five years now and my vet and equine chiro have finally quit saying “I can’t believe she’s not backsore from that saddle…” and have changed their tune to “she looks really good for 20!”.
No Ansur owner here, but regarding the bareback pad question – yes, you can post with them, but most are not equipped with stirrups nowadays, so posting will be a test of YOUR toughness, not the bareback pad!
Cashel makes a “soft saddle” with stirrups, but I don’t think that’s legal and I’ve heard there are balance/stirrup positioning issues with them.
The great thing about my Ansur is that for the first time, as my horse develops with dressage training, I’m not shelling out $$$ to buy a new saddle every year or two.
[QUOTE=DressageGeek “Ribbon Ho”;3190962]
The great thing about my Ansur is that for the first time, as my horse develops with dressage training, I’m not shelling out $$$ to buy a new saddle every year or two.[/QUOTE]
I’ll tell you one thing: It will reveal who has an independent seat and uses their legs properly, since it most definitely does not “lock” any part of your seat or leg in place. A friend got one for her Morgan, and while it would not be my choice, I felt quite comfortable in it riding her horse. She said that a lot of other people she had invited to try it slipped and slid all over the place and really did NOT like it (in particular one person we know who thinks quite highly of herself, but is actually…pretty bad. ;0)).
Oh, VERY sobering for me! One of the first times we rode in the Classic I very nonchalantly took my horse outside, it was night, and I thought, What is with me!!! I can’t walk a straight line!!!
This from someone getting 60s at First One and Two. Whoops.
I’d rather go back to the beginning and (re)learn correctly. My horse can tell the difference. I’m sure it would be broadcast to any judge watching, too!
Ambrey, that Baretek looks comfy! Has anybody here tried one?
Interesting replies!
So, would you guys say that it is or it isn’t a saddle for a rerider that is still trying to discover their proper seat?
I’d really like one of those Spanish Riding School saddles by Spirig, but they’re not competition legal 
Ambrey,
I like that bareback saddle, but I need stirrups for now. I’m not strong enough to post without them for very long.
Eileen
That seems odd, doesn’t it? Try a Neidersuss. The SRS uses those, too.
Unless there was absolutely no way my horse could work in one (which I find difficult to believe) I don’t see myself riding in a treed saddle (unless I’m visiting!).
I have one (as I’m sure you know :)) and generally I have liked it. I say if you get one then get one with removeable/changeable blocks. It made a world of difference today when I took mine out and just rode with the bare flaps against my horse. It was like riding bareback! :yes:
I say try one if you can. Maybe someone on here is close enough by you to let you ride in one! I didn’t believe in them at all until I rode in one. They are so CUSHY on your bum 
and warm very quickly to your horses back - very therapeutic feeling. And very comfy! Once you get in a treed saddle again, it will feel extremely hard and unreactive. I like how the Ansur moves with the horse. Plus it fits my fat warmblood and my skinny TB!
Well, I’d say that largely depends on how quickly you want to (re) develop that seat
Eileen, the trainer at my barn uses them with riders who are learning to develop their seat (not quite beginners but people who are learning how to use their aids) all the way up to very experienced riders. I agree with JB. It seems to have worked well for the trainer since her students are very secure, stable riders who know how to ride. I just need to take a few lessons from her!
[QUOTE=JB;3192471]
Well, I’d say that largely depends on how quickly you want to (re) develop that seat ;)[/QUOTE]
HAH! I just don’t want to get killed 
My mare has a tendency to be a Spookmonster at times and I certainly don’t want to end up on the ground.
Eileen
[QUOTE=Born2Event;3192515]
Eileen, the trainer at my barn uses them with riders who are learning to develop their seat (not quite beginners but people who are learning how to use their aids) all the way up to very experienced riders. I agree with JB. It seems to have worked well for the trainer since her students are very secure, stable riders who know how to ride. I just need to take a few lessons from her![/QUOTE]
Really sounds like something I’d like to try.
Eileen
[QUOTE=Born2Event;3191527]
. . .
I say try one if you can. Maybe someone on here is close enough by you to let you ride in one! I didn’t believe in them at all until I rode in one. They are so CUSHY on your bum and warm very quickly to your horses back - very therapeutic feeling. And very comfy! Once you get in a treed saddle again, it will feel extremely hard and unreactive. I like how the Ansur moves with the horse. Plus it fits my fat warmblood and my skinny TB![/QUOTE]
Good idea!
I did see someone on Horsetopia that lived in Warrenton that has an Ansur for sale. I’ve emailed them and am waiting for a response. Dunno if they still have the saddle for sale or not.
Anyone here living in NoVA have an Ansur they’d rent to me for a month? I mean rent, not lend. Paid up front, contract/note signed to make you feel better that I’m not going to disappear with an expensive saddle. I’d even give you my Duett to hold for collateral
Eileen
LOL, I was thinking the same thing! I’d love to use the bareback pad to develop my seat, but honestly I doubt I’d stay up for long at this point
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