Winner, winner...

[Draftmare]

Well, I am super excited that I just might have found a saddle with the more finished look I have been craving. Finally!!

It’s a Bob’s Todd Bergen cutting saddle: https://goo.gl/photos/peVtzK8sjWmHqowV7

Good first ride in it last night. I am going to have to get use to the stirrups being hung a bit further forward than I am use to in my training saddle with more of an equitation cut. If I don’t think about it, I get plopped into a chair seat when posting.

Haven’t 100% commited to the buy yet, I want to give it a couple more tries just to be extra sure. But I think my bank account may be crying in the near future. :yes:

[SuzieQNutter]

If it is not helping with your position I would keep looking.

I hate fighting a saddle.

Sorry but to me looks dont matter.

[aktill]

What Suzie said

[Bluey]

Just looking at that saddle sitting there, it seems to fit your horse better than previous ones,

As for getting used to the saddle, you can try doubling a big towel several times and putting that in the back part of the seat, by the cantle, where the back half of your behind sits on it and see if that helps you sit up there more.

If there is an important difference, it may not fit you too well.

Cutting saddles are built to ride in a defensive position while still being able to get up over the center of gravity with the horse as it moves, so they tend to be larger and flatter for the rider to be able to do that, while less extreme saddles will let you sit there in the middle without needing to move around, which tends to put the stirrups a little more under you.

Some here use their cutting saddles for training, so it is all in what you get used to.

Many performance saddles will fit most horses well, not all will fit the rider as well, other than for the designated purpose and preferences of the riders.

[Draftmare]

I did find a Todd Berger reining saddle that appears to have a little more balanced stirrup position. Waiting to hear back from Bob’s on if they are on the same tree. The seller of the reining saddles thinks that all of the Todd saddles are, but I want to make sure. Might end up going that route instead. Last night when I was loping I did find myself feeling a bit behind the motion. I’ve been searching so long, I was willing to make a couple of compromises with fit for me, though now I’m not so sure if this is a particular compromise I’m willing to make.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8892929]
I did find a Todd Berger reining saddle that appears to have a little more balanced stirrup position. Waiting to hear back from Bob’s on if they are on the same tree. The seller of the reining saddles thinks that all of the Todd saddles are, but I want to make sure. Might end up going that route instead. Last night when I was loping I did find myself feeling a bit behind the motion. I’ve been searching so long, I was willing to make a couple of compromises with fit for me, though now I’m not so sure if this is a particular compromise I’m willing to make.[/QUOTE]

I have that behind the motion problem with my reining saddle because it is too large for me at 16".
I use 14 1/2" on my ranch saddle, so really need more of a 15" for reining, at least while training, where I don’t have to fight the saddle to stay up there.

So, that may not be the kind of saddle you are having trouble with in itself, but the seat could possibly be too large for you?

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=Bluey;8892980]
I have that behind the motion problem with my reining saddle because it is too large for me at 16".
I use 14 1/2" on my ranch saddle, so really need more of a 15" for reining, at least while training, where I don’t have to fight the saddle to stay up there.

So, that may not be the kind of saddle you are having trouble with in itself, but the seat could possibly be too large for you?[/QUOTE]

That could be it too. I haven’t officially measured it. I certainly have enough room in the front of me, and also do have some room behind me, which I’ve never had before. I’m typically flush against the back of the saddle, in this one I am not. I did contemplate getting a seat saver because it is a hard seat.

[Bluey]

A seat saver helps me get up there more, definitely and my saddles are padded.

I use the one I had for my English saddle, that is a thick sheepskin, but it is not quite staying there when I get off, if I am not careful.

[Draftmare]

I think I did end up deciding against this saddle. I just can’t seem to get the hang of feeling balanced in the more forward stirrup placement. I’m waiting to hear back from Bob’s on the reining saddle. Both saddles are a Todd Bergen, so they should be on the same tree, but I want to make extra sure. The seller doesn’t do trials, and it would really stink to be stuck with such an expensive saddle! I am surprised that she fit so nicely in a smaller tree. I’ve been thinking she would need a 7 or bigger, but this one is a 6.5 and fits really well.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8894014]
I think I did end up deciding against this saddle. I just can’t seem to get the hang of feeling balanced in the more forward stirrup placement. I’m waiting to hear back from Bob’s on the reining saddle. Both saddles are a Todd Bergen, so they should be on the same tree, but I want to make extra sure. The seller doesn’t do trials, and it would really stink to be stuck with such an expensive saddle! I am surprised that she fit so nicely in a smaller tree. I’ve been thinking she would need a 7 or bigger, but this one is a 6.5 and fits really well.[/QUOTE]

Over decades, we have found that Bob’s and Ryons tend to fit the most horses fine.
Don’t know why that is, but others you have to try more saddles to find one that fits.

Those two have a good reputation because they earned it on the job.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=Bluey;8894030]
Over decades, we have found that Bob’s and Ryons tend to fit the most horses fine.
Don’t know why that is, but others you have to try more saddles to find one that fits.

Those two have a good reputation because they earned it on the job.[/QUOTE]

I was very, very shocked when this saddle fit her. When my friend pointed it out to me when I went to pick it up, my knee jerk reaction was that it looked like it would be way too narrow for Sydney. But it does seem to fit her really well. Even pressure down the front of the bars, sits behind her shoulder blade nicely, and no rocking. Color me impressed.

My friend has since decided against selling this saddle anyway. This is the one I am considering instead now: https://goo.gl/photos/J6EQSGkDFQR8ZgcR9. I am just still kind of nervous about buying online, especially from a place that doesn’t offer trials.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8895498]
I was very, very shocked when this saddle fit her. When my friend pointed it out to me when I went to pick it up, my knee jerk reaction was that it looked like it would be way too narrow for Sydney. But it does seem to fit her really well. Even pressure down the front of the bars, sits behind her shoulder blade nicely, and no rocking. Color me impressed.

My friend has since decided against selling this saddle anyway. This is the one I am considering instead now: https://goo.gl/photos/J6EQSGkDFQR8ZgcR9. I am just still kind of nervous about buying online, especially from a place that doesn’t offer trials.[/QUOTE]

True, you just never know until you try a saddle how it will really fit.

Those saddles tend to sell good, although they don’t have as much silver as the tougher competitors like to show with today.
For the new ranch classes and trail riding and general all around training and trail riding, that is an above average type saddle.
Right now those sell good, so it should keep a good re-sell value.

How that will fit you, that you have to try for yourself.

If you are close to some big shows, there are always many saddles, new and used, for sale there people can try, like the upcoming Futurities.

[Draftmare]

Curious if you, or anybody else, knows how the Saddlesmith Todd Bergen saddles compare to the Bob’s Todd Bergen saddles, or if there even is any comparison: http://www.smithbrothers.com/todd-bergen-reining-saddle-by-saddlesmith-of-texas/p/X3-15071/

My friend has one more saddle for me to try, a Champion Turf. It is not really my style (I am not a fan of silver), but I am going to give it a go and see how it fits. Her main riding horse and Sydney are pretty closely matched in size, which I find funny considering her horse is a cow-bred QH. I don’t live in a very “cowy” area. Mostly we have trail riders and those that show on the AQHA pleasure circuits. I don’t know how easy of a resell it would be, and that is what worries me. Though I do seem to have success selling online, I am kind “over it” as far as shipping western saddles.

If the Champion Turf doesn’t fit, then I think I will seriously consider the Bob’s. I contacted Bob’s on Friday about the trees in these two saddles. Waiting to hear back.