Re: Choosing a saddle

["Desoto Custom Saddlery" <desotosaddle@voyager.net>]

Hi Dona,

Here is some undeniable facts that I have found through the years from
horses, customers and saddles. All of these flexible tree saddles --- there
is no plastic, fiberglass or any Hi tech material on the market that will
keep it's memory forever. When you sit on one of these trees it squashes
out. It does not squash out evenly because of the unevenness of material and
if you happen to have a slightly twisted pelvis (which we all do) it will
flex more on one side than the other and cause pressure points. All horses I
have ever palpitated that have had any type of flexible tree on their backs
have scar tissue lumps in their shoulders and usually along the sides of
their spines. People get these saddles and they are wonderful at first then
the accumulative problems start till after about 6 months they start showing
up more and more. According to how much you weigh and your horses
conformation depends on how much these trees spring out and what part gives
the most. If the fork spreads out it will tip you foreword and put more wgt
on the horses withers.
The person who builds the SR Enduro does not hands on build it himself. He
farms it out for someone else to build or at least he use to. It does not
have a high cantle for support and security. They do not put these trees
together from scratch to fit your particular horse and they do not build the
seat and what's under the seat (which is called the ground seat) to fit just
you.

Even though this guy is only 100 miles away, what will he do if this tree
does not work out on your horse?

Marilyn Horstmyer
Desoto Custom Saddlery
(231) 775-5612
E-mail  desotosaddle@voyager.net
Web site: http://www.desotosaddle.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <guest@endurance.net>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2001 8:30 PM
Subject: RC: Choosing a saddle


> Dona Hunter huntersrunfarm@msn.com
> Boy,  Picking a saddle is so nerve racking.  Selling the horse is
> beginning to sound good and I have owned horses for over 20 years.  Sorry,
> I know the saddle subject is so boring for those who have saddles that fit
> and work for them.
>
> I am a heavyweight plus rider.  Also approaching 50 years old.  I ride a
> TWH (15'1 shortbacked, medium wither, wide back, the horse).  I thought I
> had this saddle thing all figured out and had decided on a DeSoto Saddle.
> I am really impressed with Marilyn.  Then I got information about the SR
> Enduro.  I have decided that I am going to get my saddle custom built,
> because I have went through at least 5 saddles that have not fit my horse
> and they have all been fairly expensive saddles.  I am just a trail rider.
> I like to read this site since I know that the riders here really care
> about saddle fit and ride long hours and distances.  Plus the advice and
> information is priceless.
>
> I am asking opinions on which saddle you would buy and why.  It is my
> understanding that the SR Enduro is a flexible tree.  I have seen so many
> articles saying a heavy person should not ride a saddle without a tree.
> Does the SR fit this catagory?
>
> The DeSoto appears to be an excellant saddle with a wood tree to
> distribute weight.
>
> The plus with the SR for me is that the maker is within 100 miles of me.
>
> I would really appreciate any assistance you can me.
>
> Please email me privately.  Thank you.
>
> Dona Hunter
> email:  huntersrunfarm@msn.com
>
>
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