Re: Saddles Revisted
This message is from: briar hill farm [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 10:58:14 -0400 From: Lisa Wiley [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Saddles Revisted This message is from: Lisa Wiley [EMAIL PROTECTED] Genie, Thanks. I will have my daughter Claire ask Marcy. She is at Briar Hill now. We will be going up there in a few weeks so I probably could stop in Bennington. I have also asked Claire to have Marcy try my Passier on Fjiona and see how the fit is. If she thinks it can be reflocked I may try that. Claire told me it would not fit. Yesterday I found out she hasn't tried it yet. I am sure it is because Marcy has her very busy. Lisa Wiley Hi Lisa, We have several saddles that you can try when you come to pick up Fiona. We keep close to two dozen saddles (all purpose, dressage, close contact, trail, Western) as no two Fjords are exactly alike and Saddle fit/comfort is absolutely essential to the training of a horse. (we also train those brown horses with funny backs) Miss Fiona has an unusual Fjord back so don't rush out and but a 36 cm tree! She is not very wide for a Fjord and has prominent withers! Her back is not flat - table top like many Fjordies. Currently her back is not one that would be appropriate for a treeless saddle, in my opinion. I find the treeless can put pressure on the withers even with padding. (We have three different kinds you can check out while you are here). We currently have Fiona in a Wintec, all purpose, Cair panels, MW tree. I would anticipate as she is worked more, her back will develop more muscle and she will need a wider tree. Already her back has changed some. I like the Cair panels and the flexibility of the changeable gullet of the new Wintecs. Although the saddles don't fit everybody in the barn (doesn't work as well on a shorter backed horse) They are a nice saddle at a reasonable price. If you prefer leather, the Bates have the same panels and changeable gullets, but are pricier. I'll most certainly try your Passier. And if the Passier is a close fit, I can arrange for a saddle fitter to come before Fiona leaves, if you like. (We have a Combined Driving Clinic here this week end and yes, both Claire and I are pretty busy!). We don't like to send horses home with out being sure their equipment - saddles, bit, harness, cart, etc. are safe and comfortable. We are committed to horses going home safe, comfortable and happy and happy owners, too. Of course, I hope you're planning on a couple of lessons before you head home, so that you are comfortable with how she has been trained. As for bits, Fiona is so far, most happy in a Myler comfort snaffle. (I may try several bits over the course of training a horse to find what they are most comfortable in, gives clear communication and the horse can stay soft) . Happy Fjording Marcy Baer Briar Hill Farm www.briarhillfarm.com PS. Claire, by the way, is an awesome intern!!! We are incredibly lucky to have her here.
Re: Saddles Revisted
This message is from: Lisa Wiley [EMAIL PROTECTED] Marcy, Thank You! I didn't expect to hear from you this weekend. Wish I could be at the seminar! Lisa Wiley Turnabout Portuguese Water Dogs Connecticut State Director Ponies With Purpose FASTeam www.MyTurnabout.com www.CookiesAlaDuck.com
Re: Saddles Revisted
This message is from: Genie Dethloff [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: Lisa Wiley [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here we go again. ... So otherwise I need a new saddle. Hi Lisa, Once again (just kidding!) I use a Wintec pro dressage. It is light comfortable and adjustable. Finne changes from needing the wide to the extra wide tree depending on the time of year - I just change the gullet plate. With the adjustable knee blocks, you can make it fit your leg length. Wintec makes a Pro Endurance which is similar but more for endurance or trail riding. I like how sticky the synthetic suede sit is and you just dust off with a damp cloth. The Cair air panels are very comfortable and I don't find that they make the saddle any bouncier as some air panels do. With the Wintec Weber stirrup leathers (which are very easy to adjust) and their neoprene girths you are good to go. Here is a company that I have dealt with that has a very generous trial policy for new or used saddles. They have developed their own english trail saddle and are very knowledgeable about fit and comfort plus they carry major brands of leather saddles as well. They have many used saddles. If I were ordering a new saddle it would be the Frank Baines Capriole from them but it is around $2000 ) : http://www.trumbullmtn.com/Saddle_%20pages/New_Endurance/wintecend.htm Duetts are in the $1200 range and have tree widths up to triple wide or more! Trumbull Mountain tack carries them also. Their store is just north of Bennington Vermont; I don't know how close that is for you. Luckily my daughter applied to Bennington College so I've made two trips to the area and had the opportunity to visit instead of just do business over the internet or phone. I would ask Marcy what tree width she rides your fjord in and what brand and model saddle. Sometimes saddle sellers can help you figure out tree size needed from one brand if they know what tree size fit in another brand as their tree widths can vary quite a bit. What size english seat do you ride in or how tall are you? Here is another good source for new and used saddles in Pelham, NH that has a generous trial period for new or used saddles and are very knowledgeable: http://www.pelham-saddlery.com Here is a short list of English leather saddles companies that have been around for a long time and can be found used and hold up very well: Albion, County, Courbette (least expensive), Karl Niedersuss, Passier, Prestige, Kieffer, Schleese, Stubben. Newer companies are Laser and Duette. I have ridden in the newest Lasers and found them very comfortable. In Therapeutic riding we used a Courbette Marshall Special which is very comfy and comes in an all purpose that is closer to dressage for a longer leg. When you look at all purpose saddles, if they say VSD, then they are closer to dressage than jumping and are for a longer leg but don't crank you into a formal dressage position. I hope this helps. -- Genie Dethloff Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re: Saddles Revisted
This message is from: Lisa Wiley [EMAIL PROTECTED] Genie, Thanks. I will have my daughter Claire ask Marcy. She is at Briar Hill now. We will be going up there in a few weeks so I probably could stop in Bennington. I have also asked Claire to have Marcy try my Passier on Fjiona and see how the fit is. If she thinks it can be reflocked I may try that. Claire told me it would not fit. Yesterday I found out she hasn't tried it yet. I am sure it is because Marcy has her very busy. Lisa Wiley Turnabout Portuguese Water Dogs Connecticut State Director Ponies With Purpose FASTeam www.MyTurnabout.com www.CookiesAlaDuck.com
Re: Saddles Revisted
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reflocking doesn't change the tree at all. It changes the shape and firmness of the padding between the horse and the tree. It can only be done properly on a good quality English saddle -- western saddles don't have the same type of construction. It IS a legitimate and time-honored way to adjust an English saddle. Make sure you find a saddler who is experienced in reflocking a saddle to correctly fit the horse -- the process is more than just poking stuffing in. DeeAnna Lisa Wiley wrote: ...One tack shop owner suggested having it reflocked. I had no idea you could reflock a saddle and change the tree. Doesn't sound possible to me
Re: Saddles Revisted
This message is from: Lisa Wiley [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ellen, That sounds great! I thought they were more like riding in a bare back pad. Do they have the security of a saddle! Fjiona says purple is her color! Lisa Wiley Turnabout Portuguese Water Dogs Connecticut State Director Ponies With Purpose FASTeam www.MyTurnabout.com www.CookiesAlaDuck.com
Re: Saddles Revisted
This message is from: Pam In Palmdale [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lisa, There is also the Baretek, which is another type of soft bareback pad/saddle; it comes in both English Western. http://www.baretek.com/ Pam In Palmdale Lisa Wiley [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: Lisa Wiley So otherwise I need a new saddle. I like the old saddles and would like to find something used and not too pricy. I ride English and only trail ride. So I like a comfy saddle that allows for a longer leg. So here is the question. Are there certain brands I should look for? How wide should the tree be? If I decide on a new saddle are there any priced under $1000 that are worth looking at? How do people like synthetics? I have never had a synthetic saddle. Nor have I ever ridden in one. My girl should be coming home from Briar Hill in a few weeks and I would like to be able to ride her. Thanks in advance to all those that don't push Delete! Lisa Wiley Turnabout Portuguese Water Dogs Connecticut State Director Ponies With Purpose FASTeam www.MyTurnabout.com www.CookiesAlaDuck.com Ellen Barry. (who stays on her horse by the grace of God and her horse)
Re: Saddles Revisted
This message is from: Pam In Palmdale [EMAIL PROTECTED] The following URL has a review of the Cashel soft saddle, plus modifications: http://lorienstable.com/articles/z-fitting/cashelsoftsaddle/ http://lorienstable.com/log/CashelSS-archive.shtml Pam In Palmdale - Original Message - From: Ellen Barry [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 10:13 AM Subject: Re: Saddles Revisted This message is from: Ellen Barry [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Lisa, Have you ever considered the Cashel soft saddle? It's treeless, it's 9 pounds, with a neoprene girth it doesn't slip, it doesn't interfere with the horses movement. it fits every horse, it's extremely comfortable for trail rides, it's low maintenance (just wash it with a hose), it's cheap. (248$), it allows for longer legs (you can change the stirrups' position and lengthen/shorten them) I put my saddle away and only use the Cashel now. I just love it. No more pressure points for my horse or for me. I haven't found any downsides yet. Oh yes, and it comes in huntergreen, blue, red, purple and black.
Re: Saddles Revisted
This message is from: Karen McCarthy [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lisa, I got a used Laser saddle w/ an adjustable gullet. Love it very much, lets me have great leg contact + fits like a glove on both me and the ponies. When I ride my WB in it, I just narrow up the gullet w/ a couple of turns of the little allen wrench it came with. Funny, I too prefer a good used saddle; if its a decent quality saddle (i.e.e expensive when new), it will usually hold up very well,unless someone has done something drastic like roll it + broken the tree. Good thing about used saddles is I don't have go deaf listening to creaking leather to break it in! There are a few used Lasers available from time to time, usually from consignment tack stores. FWIW, I also got a really nice older Stubben Siegfried off of Ebay recently for under $300 incl. shipping - (don't know how that happened, as it is in fantastic shape. Very comfy for trail. I bought it for under saddle classes as the black dressage saddle sticks out a bit in the sea of brown leather ;~) I also have a Hubertus all purpose dressage saddle that I am considering selling as I like the Laser better. Good luck in your search! Kmac Karen McCarthyGreat Basin Fjords :: Carson City, Nevadahttp://www.picturetrail.com/weegees
