This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Yes, Len Brown went into debt, I guess when he tried to mass produce the saddles, building a new factory, etc. The co. was sold finally, along with all the patents, factory and equipment in Little Rock, Arkansas. The new company is called Orthoflex Saddleworks (no hyphen). They claim to have better customer service, new quality standards, etc. Same website URL http://www.ortho-flex.com
Meanwhile, a former Ortho-flex employee, Richard Watson, who made some of the original saddles, formed his own company, Rocking R saddlery and makes an excellent saddle, offering similar models to the Ortho-flex, bult his trees are better I guess, with more flare, etc. http://www.rocking-r.net/ (There is another Rocking R saddle co in Alabama which is not the same) The description from the American Saddle Co webiste of Rocking R: "The Rocking R System is a hybrid of Ortho-Flex System I and II. The Rocking R saddle does not feature the System II mounting method but does offer the track system at the back of the panel. Like System I, the Rocking R is also built on one layer of Delrin in the panel. The method of tree build, close attention to panel/tree configuration and choice of thicker Delrin for the panel enables the Rocking R to perform almost as well as the Ortho-Flex System II. The Rocking R panels are also capable of sinking or rising the middle, although not to the degree that the Ortho-Flex System II panels offer. Due to the user-Friendly adjustable rigging, however, the saddle can be positioned to compensate for this difference and can be relatively fitted to a wide range of back types." The Delrin flexible panels are used in several brands of saddles now. For details and history of this system: http://www.american-saddles.de/dealer/system_functions/system_functions.html The American Saddle Company is a german company! They have the American-flex system which is supposed to be even better than the Ortho-Flex systems. Now, apparently theyl offer western saddles, also english saddles and endurance saddle. Check out the website (click on the american in the upper right corner for English language) http://www.american-saddles.de/index.html Well, just something to confuse people.. but do look at these websites and also check out Saddle-up trailriders who is a dealer for Rocking R to get an idea of prices. http://www.saddleupshop.com/ Everything you always wanted to know about saddles but were afriad to ask! Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, where it has warmed up to ZERO! Hooray! >this past summer I spoke with a saddle rep who claimed that Ortho-Flex has >now changed considerably and is not the same product as originally... >something about changing hands...?? has anyone else heard that too? Ruthie, >nw mt > > > ************************************************************ Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
