Ugh saddles!

[SonnyandLacy]

I need some help. Ive tried probably 10+ consignment saddles on my horse, some fit me not him and vice vers-a.

Any suggestions would be very helpful!

Here what Im looking for:

Prefer: double rigging and leather (but i wouldnt be apposed to a synthetic like big horn), would consider going up to $2000.

Need: FQHB, seat about 16-17inches, need a flatter seat
(probably a trail/training or arab type saddle), straight fenders, at most a 25-26 inch skirt (rounded). I dont really want a square skirt, my horse is too short coupled for most saddles ive tried with square skirts)

I love rocking r, but the skirts all seem to be about 27. I really like the circle y teton goodnight, but alas same problem.

I would prefer to use a company that will allow me to take a demo out for a few days to try.

Any suggestions would be wonderful. TYIA

[Bluey]

Where are you located?

Don’t you have a local saddle shop?
Do you want to ship saddles around?
That size seat will require that size tree bars and that requires larger skirts.
Too short skirts may poke the horse behind worse than larger ones that drape around the back and down a bit.

[UrbanHennery]

I’m assuming you’re looking for a saddle for trail and a bit of arena, but not showing? If so, two suggestions - based on needing a similar saddle for a previous short-coupled horse.

Crates - I’ve owned two of their trail saddles in the QH and the Wide trees, fit my horse and worked for me (for the most part). You can usually find them for less than $1000.
http://cratesleather.com/

McCall Lady Wade (over your budget, I know) - seriously the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever ridden in.
http://mccallsaddle.com/lady_wade.php

[Tee]

I was going to suggest Crates for the short backed horse as well. I had a 17" trail saddle that fit my half Arab great, and he had a super short back. That saddle did have square skirts. I now have a round skirted 16" trail type (it’s their gaited tree, not sure what type saddle it falls under) that fits my short backed Morgan really well. I’d like to find another saddle for him but it’s going to be a huge pain.

[SouthernTrailsGA]

[QUOTE=SonnyandLacy;6388832]
I need some help. Ive tried probably 10+ consignment saddles on my horse, some fit me not him and vice vers-a.

Any suggestions would be very helpful!

Here what Im looking for:

Prefer: double rigging and leather (but i wouldnt be apposed to a synthetic like big horn), would consider going up to $2000.

Need: FQHB, seat about 16-17inches, need a flatter seat
(probably a trail/training or arab type saddle), straight fenders, at most a 25-26 inch skirt (rounded). I dont really want a square skirt, my horse is too short coupled for most saddles ive tried with square skirts)

I love rocking r, but the skirts all seem to be about 27. I really like the circle y teton goodnight, but alas same problem.

I would prefer to use a company that will allow me to take a demo out for a few days to try.

Any suggestions would be wonderful. TYIA[/QUOTE]

Rocking R can make the skirts shorter for you as they are custom made to order, as with Dakota and several other brands. Double Rigging is no problem either.

The demo is the problem, no one takes back a used custom saddle, this is generally not a problem as any good dealer will want many pics of Horse and also send you Templates, Fitting Forms or even a Bare Tree for testing before making the Saddle.

A 24" Skirt is not unheard of in a 16" Seat in an off the shelf Saddle, but rare unless custom.

You definitely need a round Skirt, they also are shorter in skirt length than a square skirt, many are 25.5 to 26" as standard.

What breed of Horse do you have? Have a topline Pic you can post?

You mention FQH Bars, any name brands that fit well?
Asking this because each Saddle Maker varies a little in their interpretation of FQH Bar. So knowing this will help in selecting a recommendation.

.

[PletchersMom]

dakota saddles they are very customizable.

I sent mine back to get a round skirt put on instead of square skirt. My horse is short backed as well

I spoke with the rep from the company directly and they were able to get my saddle fixed to my needs reasonably. I would definitely order another Dakota Saddle

[SonnyandLacy]

[QUOTE=Bluey;6388886]
Where are you located?

Don’t you have a local saddle shop?
Do you want to ship saddles around?
That size seat will require that size tree bars and that requires larger skirts.
Too short skirts may poke the horse behind worse than larger ones that drape around the back and down a bit.[/QUOTE]

I live in southeast PA. I have tried several saddles from local tack shops (ie 10+) Actually Ive found some saddles that have round skirts, but the riggings are set too far forward. All the square skirts ive tried tend to hit his hip.

I dont have pictures of his back, but he’s mutton withers, needs to loose a little weight. He’s about 14.2 but probably weights about 1500lbs. Think of his back as a barrel haha. Ive been told to try an arab or draft saddle, as they might fit him better. I will be showing local schooling shows, so I really dont care how much bling or not I have.

Im going to try to get some demos from stateline, Im just alittle nervous with a custom saddle, that I wont fit somewere or I wont like it, and get stuck with it.

Ive tried a dakota saddle, it was way too heavy for me. But it did fit besides the skirt being huge. Circle Y FQHB seemed to fit well too, but the skirt was past his hip. THe rocking r FQHB fit, minus the 27.5 inch skirt. I actually liked that one the best. I did just get their cataloge in the mail. I guess its worth a try calling about customizing.

[Bluey]

Working cowhorse and reining saddles are good for what you are looking.
Those tend to be light and fit most backs, as they are made for training little colts, to grown and older show horses.

I know this company, Tony Zimmerman, does let you try saddles:

http://cowdogsaddles.com/

They go to many of the bigger shows, see when those in your region are held and you could get to try all kinds of their saddles.
I think you may have there a big NRHA “Ride and Slide Futurity”.

[GallopingGrape]

Here ya go… 21 lbs, short skirt and so comfortable. Their FQHBs are wide and flat to accomodate those ‘barrel’ horses.

http://gallopinggrape.com/crosstrailfullquarterhorsebars-allseatsizes.aspx

[spook1]

Try DESOTO saddles. The maker make a great saddle in your price range. I have one that I LOVE! but I have to sell as it is too small for my newer horse.

Desotosaddles.com I believe is the web address .

Goodluck…as I understand the frustration as my saddle hunt begins since I can’t afford another custom saddle.

[SonnyandLacy]

Well I found some saddles to try. I found a shorter skirted gaited saddle, half synthetic, a high horse corsicana. I think the cantle is too high for me.

I did find one I think will work. http://www.bcsaddlery.com/sadusus.img/us06112.htm

Althought all the saddles Im looking are probably semi not full, but i want to see the skirt size etc, before i think about buying. All they seem to have is semi’s on consignment, where are all these thin, petite horses, because i certainly dont see them at the shows

I read a bad review about circle y flex 2 trees, and a recall on the park and trail 2006 model. Someone claims the tree has been messing up horses backs. Not sure if it has any merit.

[SonnyandLacy]

Anyone herd of G. W. Crate / Riders Choice saddles (not to be confused with Cradtes). They make custom saddles, Ive read some good reviews. Found them on ebay.