ridecamp@endurance.net: Synergist or SR Saddle or ZES

Synergist or SR Saddle or ZES

VMAXEPT@aol.com
Wed, 23 Apr 1997 01:47:51 -0400 (EDT)

Hi Gang.. Well I am back. Had to take this one on. I and Carol, ride/own 3
SR ENDURO. I think they are about the best saddle I have ever ridden in 25
yrs of this game.
Costly but they work. The tree is laminated fiberglass - it flexes.. the
whole saddle.

I am re-working one myself to fit my new flat backed horse.
I changed the fixed rigging to a Y type. I can adjust the front and the back
'billet'
Works fine. Cost $2000

I RODE a Syn.. John Dipetira.. a GREAT saddle It is very well made. well
balance and johns ideas -design - are novel. You should look at this one
I MAY be getting one later this year. Cost about $1300

I also have a ZES from Boyd Zontellie.. A VERY UNIQUE saddle.
nicely made. Had some problems.. stirrup straps too short for my long legs.
Have longer ones now..MUCH better. Balance seems a bit behind.
Had fit problems at first. Installed the center shim plate seems ok now.
Still holding out on this one.. Uses a intergrated saddle pad system. The
base is the SKITO pad with neoprene and lexan insert plates on top of the
SKITO foam. This pad goes over the tree. The whole saddle comes apart.
Tree is LIGHT plastic. Rigged in a Y can adjust from two billets. Sits well
on the horse does not rock. The tree comes up to high at the fork..creates a
problem with the center balanced ride. I spoke with Boyd about about a flater
ground seat..no rise of the tree. I may modify mine a little to reduce this
rise.
I can say this a good saddle for the money- $1200. and very light. the all in
one pad system is great. I installed the HRM in the pad with the leads
inside, route the top lead out of a small hole in the pad and connect to the
electrode.
The long lead goes down the off side then placed inside the neopreme girth..
No leads showing.. all built in. Neat.
More on this later.

At EQ Affaire an 'expert' gave his ideas about saddle fit. NOT too bad.. the
ideas ..
points -
NO contact at the front or the forks.. need about the whole hand lenght to
be free from pressure under the saddle at the shoulders withers etc.
ONLY contact to be is under the seat. The front of the saddle is just for a
balance point.
and no loin contact.. just lightly.
Saddle should be rigged with TWO girths..they way they were 100 yrs ago.
OR two rigs into the Y like McCellen and many endurnace saddles. IN skirt
rigging is bad.
Saddle must not rock back and forth. NO digging in at the shoulder or withers
or loins..no bridging
The PAD system is what fits a solid wood trees to the horse.
He uses a SKITO pad with the front and the back flaired DOWN.. a CENTER wedge
pad. Not much foam under the withers or loins. The tree is shaped to insure
contact in the center of the back ..with light contact front and rear.
He had models etc... lots of stories etc..
Made alot of sense.
The ZES saddle seems to meet most of these specs. SR does too.
The Syn-- has in-skirt rigging sort of.. but it is really one long
syrsingle that goes over the saddle at the SEAT.. so the saddle is held down
in the center of the tree.

This person..cant find his name.. works with Peggy Cummings Center Riding
Instructure.
Gave me something to work on..think about .

Roger R

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