> http://www.buitenzinnig.nl/ > > http://www.buitenzinnig.nl/DaviWB/Pagina17.html
Response from Nina of the treelesssaddle list: >>Nina, please do tell us more about how that saddle felt, especially if you can how it might be different or comparable to other treeless models? << The saddle is *very* lightweight, the workmanship is excellent. The seat didn't get in the way at all and felt even better than the seat of the Sensation English G3. >>If you didn't decide to buy, why not? How did you find the underpanels? Workmanship? Anything would be of interest, so if you could just expand on "interesting" that would be great.<< What was very interesting about the saddle was the construction of the stirrup hangers and girth attachment. You can see this in the pics. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could not feel this under my seat, unlike the Sensation and sometimes the Barefoot and Ansur saddle. I "ride with my thighs" so this was great! It was very smooth and felt like there was nothing really under me. What I didn't like were the panels. I couldn't get them not to press down in the front. I had to place the saddle all the way over the shoulder and that was a bit better. Still, I couldn't slip my fingers under there when I sat in the saddle. Also there was some bridging happening, and to be fair, I didn't play with the girthing position. My Arabian has very high withers and the saddle did NOT sit on them at all, and *that* was really amazing. I used the Ghost with a Haf pad and a Suberpad and the saddle slipped on both. The pads didn't slip at all, it was just the saddle! That was funny because it has this Sympanova stuff under the panels. I think it wouldn't slip if using the Skito or some other pad with some gripping material on top. In the end I didn't buy the saddle because it sat perched too high on the horse for me. It was the panels, and I found that I couldn't get my legs wrapped around my horse's barrel as I liked. I am buying the Spirit Deluxe instead. It has no panels, sits closer onto the horse, and costs a lot less than the Ghost too. Did I mention the workmanship was excellent? It's better than the Barefoot and Sensation, and they're pretty good! I have to say that even with the panels, the saddle was better than the Sensation, and almost as good as the Barefoot. It beat the Ansur and the Floki hands down! This was the most comfortable saddle I've used at a walk. The Barefoot (old model) was better at the trot and canter/gallop. I think it was because it sat closer on the horse. I am hoping the Spirit Deluxe will change that for me. (My understanding about the top arch on all the saddles that have them is that it's less about stability, more about raising/keeping the front of saddle off of the withers on high withered horses... that's what Kaaren Jordan told me when she said that the Sensation Hybrid (or Western) were the only Sensations really suitable for higher withered horses. It makes sense, conceptually, that the hooped pommels would do that. If Ghost's is really cosmetic only, that would be important to know. I suppose it depends on just how the arch is "footed" onto the horse's wither/shoulder area. But that many such saddles now have different pommel widths does mean they are interfacing with the horse in a structural way, they're not just decoration.) I honestly can't see how it could keep the front of the saddle off the withers. The arch is just riveted on like a handle. That's all it is, as far as I can see. I'm ordering the Spirit Deluxe without the arch and it's $75 less, btw. If you see the pics on the Dutch website, you'll see how they are used on high withered horses without any arch at all. >>Thanks for anything else you can tell the group about your experience<< Oh I should say what needs to be changed on either model are the billets. They are made of thick Biothane and they are quite stiff in the winter. All in all, I'm very happy to see a different approach to treeless. This saddle is definitely an EXCELLENT addition and worth the try. I should be getting my blue Spirit Deluxe in about 5 weeks. I'm going to be using this saddle for endurance rides, so I'll keep you posted on its performance. Any other questions? Please feel free to ask! If anyone has any questions, they can email me directly. Nina 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 Nina Hassinger Natural Hoof Care Provider www.lostjuly.ca
