Wanted: Recommendations for a Good, Comfortable Trail Saddle

[Wellspotted]

Just for occasional short rides on easy trails.

Currently using a trail saddle that has the seat on some sort of suspension system above the tree, which feels really weird because it doesn’t move with the horse. Also the stirrup leathers have no holes, so I just don’t trust them, especially when mounting!

I was thinking of some sort of western saddle, but someone here on COTH advised against horns, and in my younger days I preferred trail riding in English saddles partly because they have no horns.

I do not find Australian saddles at all comfortable, between the high cantle and the poleys I feel locked in and awkward.

Surely there must be something out there that is comfortable, supportive to achy joints, and has stirrup leathers with holes! I think I would love a Buena Vista-type saddle but I can’t find one anywhere around here. Used to love an old McClellan saddle I had access to, but they too are hard to find and might be way too hard for comfort these days, even with the extra natural padding I have gained!

[katarine]

http://www.doublediamondequine.com/pageview.php?id=50

http://crestridgesaddlery.com/trailsaddles.html

[fairtheewell]

The Abetta Serenity is comfortable and has a memory foam seat. It is a pretty balanced saddle that is synthetic. It has no horn. Fairly lightweight but not feathery light. I like it.

[cowboymom]

I’ve ridden most of my life and many many miles in western saddles… grew up riding bareback.

I got an older wintec endurance for this summer and I LOVE it, the comfort is off the charts. I have a good horse and the saddle bags on the front/coats tied behind lend all the security that I need on him. If I had a zippy spazzy horse I’d want more but it’s working great for us.

My horse is hard to fit and so am I for a western-I"m real short legged and I always fought a western.

The next best thing I ever had was a Bob Marshall treeless. It was totally secure and worked extremely well for us; also off the charts comfortable except that my horse was really wide and I needed a little more support I think; hips would get sore. Not any more with the wintec…

[imaginique]

Fabtron has a western endurance saddle with no horn.

[Kitt]

Without seeing the horse in question, it’s not possible to make specific recommendations on saddles that might work. However, most of the UK saddle co.s make trail models - Black Country, Frank Baines, Albion, etc. - and they’re all designed for comfort. If you can post a photo of your horse, it would be easier to make some more detailed recommendations. You can also contact Nancy Okun; she’s a competitive trail rider and saddle fitter, and she could help you out. Her email is nancybokun@gmail.com.

[katarine]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4728717110510&set=gm.343814535750848&type=1&theater

[jaybird660]

Trumbullmtn.com carries several different types of trail/endurance saddles. We are happy to assess your info that ideally would include tracings, conformation shots and our questionnaire. All of this is explained on our site and costs nothing. Feel free to email us or give us a call at 800-442-9672

[JeanM]

I have a Tucker trail saddle that doesn’t have a horn, but is on a western tree. I’ve put many, many miles & hours on it, and love it.

[BarnKat]

Www.specializedsaddles.com
Customizable for both horse and rider. Just bought another, it was recommended to me by an endurance rider.

[Hermein]

I have one of these: http://stonewallsaddles.com/classicsaddle.html I bought it about 15 years ago for a young, green horse who promptly outgrew it. I’ve held onto it, thinking that I might have a horse someday who isn’t built like a 55 gallon barrel, but that hasn’t happened yet.

It’s very comfortable and secure for the rider. As the link says, it will accommodate high withered horses. It’s made on the order of a McClelland.

I actually have a McClelland saddle–dated 1929. The re-enactment people want it badly.

BarnCat, which one did you buy? Intriguing idea on the adjustable stuff.