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Re: [RC] English saddle - short or long billets and Why? - Lynne Glazer

I like medium billets OR short billets on the "right" saddle, have died with short billets on the "wrong" one, ouch. When I had an RP XF, it had short billets and there was no bulk under my leg. My current RP (VSD Summit) has medium billets, as do their endurance saddles. The "body" of the buckle lays completely on the sweat flap, when the girth is the right length. The thing to avoid is having the body of the buckle *on* the horse. So with long billets and a dressage length girth or cinch, there needs to be protection on the horse's side of the girth. Some girths are designed that way. Most cinches aren't. I also like "keeper" straps on the girth or cinch to keep the billets of any length after the buckle from flopping around.

RPs have 4 billets from the factory (except the jumping models) and I keep thinking I'll get around to unstitching/removing the front (point) billet for forward-grooved horses, but since it can be strapped down I keep forgetting.

JMO,
Lynne
http://www.photo.lynnesite.com



On Dec 6, 2007, at 9:28 AM, Truman Prevatt wrote:

I have been riding an RP X-functional (all purpose) since 2000. I have long billets and use a dressage girth. I would not have a saddle with short billets again.

Truman

Marta Kozlowska wrote:
I ordered a semi-custom saddle for my mare. It's coming in January.
It's an all purpose saddle. My previous saddle was a dressage saddle
but the one before that was an all purpose, too. So while we were
fitting the horse for the saddle a question came up as to what billets
to get - long or short. My initial reaction was that long billets
(which would allow me to use a dressage girth) might put the buckles
under my calf somewhere. But then as I thought about it I realized
that I didn't have that problem with my dressage saddle so why would I
have that problem with an AP. My concern with short billets is that
they may create bulk under my thigh. So I asked on another horsey
board and I also asked my trainer. I got many opinions. Some people
claim that the longer girth gives the saddle more stability. Others
say that short billets make it easier to adjust the girth from the
saddle (true but not really my concern here). So I'm curious what the
endurance folks think about this issue?


Thanks!

Marta


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Replies
[RC] English saddle - short or long billets and Why?, Marta Kozlowska
Re: [RC] English saddle - short or long billets and Why?, Truman Prevatt