OK! Thanks for the input, I have just purchased a Tucker Equitation Endurance saddle 
Canāt wait for it to get here!!!
Smith-Worthington Maxx dressage. Fits the horse and myself well.
I dislike western saddles for trail riding, the horn always seems to be in my way.
But based on what G is saying, I may have to try an Aussie saddle. No dee rings on a dressage saddle!
[QUOTE=hank;8448707]
Smith-Worthington Maxx dressage. Fits the horse and myself well.
I dislike western saddles for trail riding, the horn always seems to be in my way.
But based on what G is saying, I may have to try an Aussie saddle. No dee rings on a dressage saddle![/QUOTE]
I had Beval add D rings to my saddle. 2 on each side. They did a great job. Call Smith-Worthington they may be able to add Ds to your saddle. My saddler told me a good cobbler can do it but I decided to take it to Beval NJ since they are only an hour and a half away. I needed an excuse to visit the store.
I am like G, I donāt find Aussie saddles comfortable.
I love trail riding in my Patrick Saddlery custom English saddle.
duplicate post
I have an Australian fender stock saddle (sometimes called a half-breed). Kind of like these, but my stirrups are hung farther back to give less of a chair seat.
https://kentsaddlery.com.au/custom-made-saddles/kent-saddle-range/
Itās pretty comfy.
[QUOTE=SonnysMom;8450882]
I had Beval add D rings to my saddle. 2 on each side. They did a great job. Call Smith-Worthington they may be able to add Ds to your saddle. My saddler told me a good cobbler can do it but I decided to take it to Beval NJ since they are only an hour and a half away. I needed an excuse to visit the store.
I am like G, I donāt find Aussie saddles comfortable.
I love trail riding in my Patrick Saddlery custom English saddle.[/QUOTE]
My wife likes the Stubben VSD/DL. We sent it back to Stubben and they put on a full set of D-rings in the Scout pattern save one (the Scout has one at the top of the pommel arch; they could not do that on the VSD/DL without major expense).
Something that weāve just bought and are still getting used to are wide-tread stirrups. http://www.fourstarbrand.com/product/horse-tack-and-equipment/stirrup-irons/mdc-s-flex-stirrup-irons/ So far we like them a lot. For the older rider that can be a bit āstiffā they seem to be a big help in maintaining a correct position.
G.
I love my Sensation western saddle.
Thanks for the info Sonny and Gā¦I never considered retro-fitting my saddle, but it is certainly of good enough quality to justify the expense!
[QUOTE=hank;8451787]
Thanks for the info Sonny and Gā¦I never considered retro-fitting my saddle, but it is certainly of good enough quality to justify the expense![/QUOTE]
It really wasnāt all that expensive, IIRC. But with a good saddle Iād be real careful to get somebody whoās knows what they are about to do the work. Stubben North America must have a pretty good saddler on contract 'cause the work was first rate. One downside, though, was that I did have to take it to a Stubben dealer and they sent it in. It was shipped back directly to me.
G.
[QUOTE=Palm Beach;8447104]
Interesting! I trail ride in a Western saddle, and although my horse willingly hops over larger logs, the HORN makes it an uncomfortable experience for me. Plus, when we have to duck under low branches, once again the HORN makes it hard.[/QUOTE]
Just fixed my post - I mistakenly typed āhorseā instead of HORN. My horse is wonderful, itās the HORN that gets in the way when I have to lean forward!!!
I love my Specialized Eurolight! I will never part ways with this saddleā¦
Iām another Stubben fan. I have several, but my favorite is my Roxane, a fox hunting model.
I have a Crest Ridge saddlery western style saddle minus horn that I love. Very comfortable for me, and they had me send measurements so we could be assured of a fit for my TB.
I generally find Aussie saddles uncomfortable but I have a Wintec Aussie that is pretty awesome. It is my āhusband saddle.ā Hard to fall out of and very comfortable. I have done 20 mile rides in it comfortably and I am not a trail rider, my butt bones get sore ordinarily.
I adore my wintec dressage saddle. Iāve tried a litany of saddles this past year and this is by far my favorite.
I love the easy change gullets for my growing horse and the equisuede. I also like not having to worry if it gets wet. The deep seat keeps me secure and has saved my butt on multiple occasions.
Mine is also an Aussie. Iām fortunate to live within driving distance of this company:
and was able to sit in several saddles. I bought a Muster Master several years ago that Iāve ridden in for up to 4 hours and felt fine when I got off. Iād love to have a deep-carved one, but I just donāt have extra $$ lying around! Very good quality saddles, many people own them for as long as they ride.
Iāve tried several saddles from Down Under and didnāt find any of them comfortable. But thatās just me.
Another Stubben fan hereāthe Imperator is my current trail saddle, very comfy and very secure-feeling. I may have to investigate having more D rings added to it though, that would be nice. I have a full set of english-specific bags (cantle, pommel) and a water bottle holder I use. I also use regular western saddle bage that fit under the rear or the panels and under my cantle bag. I rigged up straps to attach them to my billets so they dont move much at all.
I just got a TW Featherweight Trail, which I love love love. Was able to FINALLY fit my propane-tank-shaped mare with the assorted adjustable panels and shims and whatnot. Went full redneck with a horn, fenders, Cheyenne roll, floral tooling and Lone Star conchos. Itās only about 20 pounds. Great to find a Western-y saddle with adjustable stirrup position to avoid the dreaded chair seat. Was on the fence about the horn, but Iām glad I went for it. Itās pretty short and unobtrusive as horns go, and looks cute. And Iām not too proud to grab it when we stumble across a pack of sleeping feral hogs.
Iāve really liked my treeless saddles for trail riding - current treeless is a Heather Moffett Vogue. My bony bum stays comfortable for hours, and my chronic back pain does not bother me while Iām riding in it. Alas, Iām having hip problems right now so canāt ride much and will likely have to sell that saddle. :no:
So far my favorite trail saddle is my jumping saddle which is a ainsley pro national. Very handy for when we need to leap over an obstacle!!!
