Andrea wrote:
> Basically, most endurance saddles run on a
western or english style frame. I
> don't like english saddles because
they generally have problems with the
> balance. Forward seats are too
forward, dressage seats are too deep, and all
> purpose still have a
problem with balance over varied terrain. It can be
> tough doing long
downhills after 45 miles with nothing to brace your thighs
> agains, and
if your horse is a spooker, or trips, or is young and foolish,
> you
might wind up doing the "dirt dive" more often then you like.
Funny, I have been alternating a Dressage saddle with my
Orthoflex Cutback for years and have not had a problem with balance in either
one. The OF is so secure that the better rider I become, the more confined I
feel and am just about ready to offer it for sale.
>
> All the english have lightly attached rings, so the items you wind up
> carrying, or your breast collar, pulls out the rings in
time.
All????
I have had two of the same saddle,
Karl Niedersus, and on my first, I had a saddle maker (a very good one) put in 8
large D rings at a pretty cost ($73) and never had a problem. When I ordered my
second saddle from Dressage Extensions, they had the rings placed on the saddle
at the factory for no extra charge and they are hefty and very well sewn in with
nary a stitch pulled in a whole bunch of heavy-duty miles.
Plus there's
> the restuffing
issue--plenty time in the saddle insures you have to restuff
> again and
again, which means eventually the saddle can't be stitched.
Perhaps the day will come, but after
over perhaps more than a couple of thousand miles the saddle is still comfy and
fits the horse very well.
I think the caveat in purchasing
any saddle, Western or English, is to do your research so that you know
what features are important to you and then get the best one meeting those
specifics that you can afford. Saddles are like any other product from bicycles
to autos. Some are made better than others and it is a mistake to lump them all
into the same bushel basket, pros or cons. And price is not always the
defining parameter with reference to quality, fit, comfort, design but it may be
a starting point until one has a chance to give the saddle a try. That is one
reason why I will never purchase a saddle unless I have the option to return it
within a reasonable period of time or unless a trial saddle is
available.
And as many will tell you, even with
the best research, money spent, time searching, etc. it is still a stroke of
luck to find "the" right saddle for you and your horse. Sometimes it takes a few
tries.
Good luck and then
some....
Pat
