Desitin on neoprene
can be washed off with hot water and Dawn dish soap. It really cuts
the oils. As for wide short backed horses, or any other horse that
is not born with an off the rack back. Maybe one out of a Jillion. You
guys need to consider a custom saddle. That word 'custom' is bandied
about freely, but what it truly means is that a saddle is built for your
horse AND you. Not just a bunch of saddles that are pre made that you hope to
get the closest fit for. That is how most big saddle companies sell so called
custom saddles. Custom means custom, it does not mean 'large selection'.
There are very few actual custom endurance saddle makers.
I don't hear many complaints at all about those saddles, and I don't
replace very many of them at all. But lots of complaints and replacements of the
others,claiming to be custom, that are actually off the rack
saddles. So when you are shopping for a saddle, whether you get it
from me or one of the other "custom Makers" be sure to shop custom only. And be
sure that it really is custom, and not just a misuse of that word. There is NO
REASON WHATSOEVER for anyone to have to "put up with" being
uncomfortable for the sake of the horse, or rider comfort over horses.
Rarely cheap rack saddle saddle will seem to be OK for a
while, but problems are inevitable. We spend jillions of $$ on rigs
trucks, and even horses, but when it comes to a saddle people suddenly become
poverty stricken and just unable to afford a decent saddle. You can not
believe some of the shoppers that have come in here, $150,000.
worth of rigs and horses, saddle sores, big problems in
shoulders, hips, and spines, pulls, and lay-offs, and then they squall
like a run over house cat if a saddle is going to cost over $200. and take
over a week to get. The saddle is not the place to cut corners.
Materials are another thing to consider. Educate yourself about the
different kinds of leathers, tanning process. Most people know that Oak tanned
leather is good, but do you know why? Chrome tan, Veg tan brain tan, acid tan?
domestic, or imported leathers? real sheepskin or synthetic? Imported hardware,
or americam ? The custom makers that I know of use the very best materials, and
most of the rack saddle makers do not. The custom saddles, hand made by either
myself or the other custom makers will outlast the rack saddle by literally
years, and years. And these saddles are designed so that they will fit allot of
horses that are of a similar type. There is a difference in tree size
and tree design, You can have trees the same size, but different designs, one
will work and one will not. Like high heals and hiking boots, they are both size
8, but you need a size 8 riding boot for endurance. Size/design. This is why a
off the rack saddle can give you loin troubles, and a custom saddle will
not. This is not a sales pitch for my saddles, ( but I wouldn't be mad if you
bought one) I just hope that when you start saddle shopping, you all will
think custom only. Believe me, you will certainly save yourselves a
ton of money in the longrun, and a heck of allot of grief for you and your
Especially your horse! Annie G.
Anne George Saddlery www.vtc.net/~ageorge
