A friend is being directed towards a western model but she isnt totally sold on these
Were they just a fad at one time or are they a saddle that holds it value and function over time?
Thanks for any opinions
I’d be interested from others with flex-tree saddles as well as far as the longevity and such. I just got a flex tree saddle and have only been able to get in it about 6 times because of the horrid weather here.
I love it so far but, I’ve only been in it MAYBE a total of 2 hours.
I have an Ortho-flex patriot and an Ortho-flex dressage saddle both with countless miles on many different horses. I love them- they are super comfy and seem to do well for the horses I’ve used them for. They, of course, don’t fit every horse- so it’s like every other saddle, you have to try and see. And, yes, mine seem to hold up well to wear and tear as well- I am hard on my saddles but they are going strong-
I have an OrthoFlex Stitchdown, built in 1988. It’s still in beautiful shape and I wouldn’t sell it for the world. That said, a couple years ago I had occasion to see the “new” OrthoFlex saddles at one of the Horse World Equine Expos. I was surprised to feel how “flimsy” the panels are now, and worried the attachments between them and the underside of the saddle would cause pressure points. ??
I have an older Caliente (western) at my place that we use—when it fits a horse we have in for training…It works best on high withered, narrow A-framed horses, doesn’t work at all on horses with any curve to their topline or width through the shoulders. It’s absolutely wonderful when it does fit, if it doesn’t the horses protest in a big way, bucking, etc.
