saddle survey#1 (long)

[Kimberly Price <PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com>]

ok, ok, ok...didn't mean to hog the info.  If anyone still interested in
my lotus printout Summarizing this information, give me your Mailing
Address or FAX Number.  That was the ONLY way I could organize it for
myself. I'm cutting and pasting replies by date, hoping not to miss
any.  It will be long so I'll send several out.  Good luck!
Kimberly (&Mystery the Morab.."I don't mine just running around in
pasture and not being ridden..in fact, no saddle will ever fit
me!!!hee,hee).

***********************8
bject: 
      English Saddles
  Date: 
      Tue, 20 Jan 1998 06:19:04 -0700
  From: 
      Beverly Gray <bgray@xmission.com>
    To: 
      PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com


Hi Kimberly;
I saw your note on endurance net.  I ride the Arabian Saddle Company
Endurance Model called the Solstice.  It is an English saddle but
features specifically desgined for endurance riders- extra padded seat,
padded knee rolls, wider panels to evenly distribute weight, shorter
design for the short backed Arabians, etc.  May I send you a free
catalog?  I have several demos for sale and you are welcome to try the
saddle. Look up my web page www.endurance.net/arabsaddle.
Happy Trails,
Beverly Gray



Subject: 
          english saddles for endurance
      Date: 
          Tue, 20 Jan 1998 08:03:22 -0600
      From: 
          Cyndi Craig <cyndi.craig@chron.com>
Organization: 
          Houston Chronicle
        To: 
          PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com


Kimberly,

i have been doing LD for a little more than a year now, and i use an
english saddle. i have had to switch saddles due to fit problems with my
horse, but i prefer english saddles. i compete in dressage with my
second horse and i hate western saddles. the twist is way too wide for
me and they make me sore..

i have used an all purpose "event" saddle (collegiate from miller's) and
am currently using a wintec dressage pro. i love the wintec but it is
causing a few white hairs on my horses' back..so i will probably try the
wintec endurance model next. i like the wintec because it is no
maintenance --  even when it is not raining, you get yourself and your
saddle all wet when you stop to sponge your horse...and here near
houston, where the summers are endless days of 96 temp with about 80%
humidity, we sponge a LOT. i liked my collegiate but got tired of having
a mildew-y saddle!

as far as where to put your stuff -- i wear a largish fanny pack..but am
probably going to buy something to hook on my saddle at the convention,
as the fanny pack is constrictive and hot in the summer. about every
endurance tack place makes special bags that fit in front of the pommel
of english type saddles. there's a part that goes  underneath the saddle
to hold it all securely. you just have to see one to understand how they
work. pricey tho -- about $60...and my dressage saddle does have two
rings on one side..tho not nearly as many as a western or endurance
saddle...

hope this helps...

cyndi

cyndi.craig@chron.com
donerail farm
alvin, texas

t: 
      Re: english vs endurance model saddles
  Date: 
      Mon, 19 Jan 1998 13:15:34 -0800 (PST)
  From: 
      Lucy C Trumbull <elsie@calweb.com>
    To: 
      PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com


> Does anyone ride in english saddles out there on endurance rides?  What
> type if so and where do you put all your "stuff"?
> 
> Are there any endurance type saddles one can "try" before they "buy"?

I was thinking about Wintec endurance saddles - light, cheap
with lots of rings on them. The tack store in Woodland had 
one a while back - it seemed quite hard to me (in the seat) -
I know they'll let you drive your horse there and make sure
it fits properly. Don't know if they'll let you take one on
loan with a view to returning if you don't like it.

They are called "Brenda's Tack"  - 1 800 400 8225


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lucy Chaplin Trumbull - elsie@calweb.com
Displaced English person in Sacramento, CA

http://www.calweb.com/~trouble
http://www.calweb.com/~elsie
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Subject: 
      Re: english vs endurance model saddles
  Date: 
      Mon, 19 Jan 1998 21:31:04 -0000
  From: 
      windfall@access1.net (windfall)
    To: 
      <PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com>


Kimberly,

I have been riding a Stubben Siegfried since 1972.  Actually this is my
second saddle-the other one is completely worn out.  It has fit all of
my
horses over the years with just a synthetic sheepskin pad.  I use a
simple
breastcollar of 1" nylon webbing.  I still believe that the KISS (keep
it
simple stupid) method is best.  I have seen a lot of horses with huge
white
spots on their backs from  the expensive new "endurance" saddles on the
market.  English saddles cover a minimum amount of skin surface for
better
cooling which is a definite consideration in the hotter climates. Also a
lot of the other saddles are too long on most short coupled arab backs
which causes "Scrubbing"-rubbing and loss of hair on their back on the
top
of the loin area from the back of the saddles. I guess it relies mostly
on
your comfort level and riding skills as to what type of saddle you
use.    

----------
Subject: 
          Re: english vs endurance model saddles
      Date: 
          Mon, 19 Jan 1998 13:46:36 -0800
      From: 
          Lynne Glazer <lglazer@cyberg8t.com>
   Reply-To: 
          Lynne@Glazer.org
Organization: 
          Lynne Glazer Microsystems
        To: 
          PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com
  References: 
          1


I ride a Passier PSL (all purpose) and use front and rear snugpax for my
stuff.

And an easyboot bag from Griffins.

Bought my saddle used for ring work, and was surprised to like it enough
to ride it for distance.

Lent my Sports Saddle to a friend, and she wants to buy it with all the
"trimmings", so since trading the Ortho-flex with some money for my
colt, I'm astoundingly down to one saddle.

BTW, it's been restuffed to match my changing horse 3 times since
purchase in April!

Lynne



Subject: 
      RE: english vs endurance model saddles
  Date: 
      Mon, 19 Jan 1998 16:57:00 -0600
  From: 
      Bridget Cavanaugh <BridgetC@pagemart.com>
    To: 
      PLOUGH1 <PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com>


While many think that the criteria for a saddle is how it suits the   
rider, I think the most important thing to think about is how it suits   
the horse.  Both of you have to spend grueling hours on the trail
dealing   
with a saddle's short comings.

I'm a big fan of the John Dipetra saddle. I did my first Tevis ride in
it   
last year without a single bruise or rub mark on my legs.  That's the   
best testimonial I can give you.

On how to trial one: I've had people come up to me at rides and ask to   
borrow it for a spin around the camp, but it's difficult to find
someone   
to let you borrow one for a 25 or 50 mile ride, but that's a good
idea.   
 Maybe you could post something to ride camp asking for people in your   
region to rent you a saddle for a ride.

I think there are really great saddles made by ZES (Boyd Zontelli), SR   
Endro and Dipetra, and all of these can be customized to fit your
horse's   
back.  I'm sure you'll get lots of email from other people passionate   
about their saddles.  What I've found in these three is that they are   
truly "BALANCED".  The saddle puts your feet in the right position for   
balanced riding (e.g. Donna Snyder-Smith techniques).  For long rides,
in   
an english saddle you have to work harder (and thus more jarring on
the   
horse's back) than the other riders using endurance saddles that fit
the   
uniqueness of your horse's back.

Every saddle is designed for a specific utilitirian purpose and
endurance   
saddles are meant to go the distance.  If it's in the budget, I
recommend   
it.

Good luck!

 ----------
Subject: 
          Re: english vs endurance model saddles
      Date: 
          Mon, 19 Jan 1998 18:32:04 EST
      From: 
          Arabnracer <Arabnracer@aol.com>
Organization: 
          AOL (http://www.aol.com)
        To: 
          PLOUGH1@IX.NETCOM.COM


I love my sportsaddle, treeless, all A's on my horses backs and nothing
better
for the rider, they can be tried first but it takes 2 months to get your
once
you've ordered it, they make them to order

Subject: 
         Re: english vs endurance model saddles
     Date: 
         Mon, 19 Jan 1998 15:46:06 -0800
     From: 
         Gary Fend <garyfend@pacbell.net>
      To: 
         PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com
References: 
         1


Gee, I thought everyone rode in english saddles.  I ride on a courbette
kurfurst that i bought in Pt Reyes station about 4 years ago and I love
it.
The lady at  the store went out of her way to insure a good fit and have
not
had any problems with over 1000 miles on my mare.  It was kind of funny
fitting the saddle.  We parked right in town, unloaded the horse, and
tried
on about 6 different tree sizes before finding the right size to order.

Sportack can supply all the necessary bags to carry anything you need.

I can't imagine riding on anything else.

Gary and Cinnabar in Walnut Creek

Subject: 
          Re: english vs endurance model saddles
      Date: 
          Mon, 19 Jan 1998 20:46:18 EST
      From: 
          Bierstedt <Bierstedt@aol.com>
Organization: 
          AOL (http://www.aol.com)
        To: 
          PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com


Hi, Kimberly:

My husband did a couple of rides in an English-style endurance saddle
made in
England by a company called Clover. It didn't fit his horse very well,
however, so I've inherited it and I'm using it on my 4-year-old Arab.
(It has
a wide tree.) We haven't done any endurance rides yet (we're still
getting
trail savvy), and we haven't gone on any rides longer than about 7
miles.
However, I do like the saddle very much.

Now that I've said that, I have to tell you that they're not importing
them to
this country any more. It has D-rings all over it for tying stuff on,
plus I
use either a pad with pockets or a saddle bag that fits in back of the
cantle.

Personally, I'm much more comfortable in an English saddle than a
Western
saddle.

Karen

ubject: 
      Re: english vs endurance model saddles
  Date: 
      Mon, 19 Jan 1998 20:24:26 -0600
  From: 
      "spencer" <spencer@inu.net>
    To: 
      <PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com>


Hi Kimberly--I have used a Wintec synthetic allpurpose saddle off and on
for endurance rides and
shows for past several years.  Partly because of cost and partly for
ease of maintenance.  I also ride
in a leather dressage saddle.  Am able to 'stick' really well to
synthetic saddle wearing cotton lycra
pants.  One of these days I would like a REAL Australian saddle.  Rode
in one on rented horse in
SanAntonio and really liked it, but can't use it for showing dressage. 
Good luck and enjoy..here in
TX we are having some great weather for riding now.  Feel sorry for the
folks with all the ice and
snow, but that is why I don't live up there.   Mary Ann

----------
ubject: 
      Re: english vs endurance model saddles
  Date: 
      Mon, 19 Jan 1998 18:46:47 -0800 (PST)
  From: 
      K S Swigart <katswig@deltanet.com>
    To: 
      Kimberly Price <PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com>



On Mon, 19 Jan 1998, Kimberly Price wrote:

> Does anyone ride in english saddles out there on endurance rides?  What
> type if so and where do you put all your "stuff"?

Yes, depending on my horse's body shape (I have three with differing
tree
widths), I use a Crosy Lexington, a Stubben Lohngfried, or a Crosy
Olympia.  The Crosby's are the old kind (with stuffable panels) that
they
don't make anymore, and I wouldn't use the new ones (the ones without
stuffable panels) since I like to be able to restuff the saddle after a
while.  The felt panels "wear out" and you pretty much have to replace
the
saddle.  If you ride endurance, you will wear it out pretty quick.

I put all my "stuff" (of which I think I have a great deal less than
most
people) in my cantle pack (specially made for english saddles and
endurance riders) or in my fanny pack (which I wear around MY waist). 
If
I need more space, I put on another fanny pack.

My saddle has also installed 8-rings on each of these saddles, which I
had
him do when he first restuffed each of them (only added the cost of the
rings themselves to the price of the work).

The Lexington is a "hunt" saddle (not for riding in hunter classes in
shows, but actually for cross country hunting), the Lohngfried is a jump
saddle (not a close contact for riding in hunter classes, but one
designed
for grand prix jumping, i.e. BIG fences), and the Olympia is an Eventing
saddle (designed for riding the cross country portion of the event, but
also suitable for doing dressage and show jumping).

Let me know if you have any questions.  I wouldn't ride in anything
else.

kat
Orange County, Calif.


Subject: 
          Re: english vs endurance model saddles
      Date: 
          Mon, 19 Jan 1998 21:47:35 EST
      From: 
          REBELCJB <REBELCJB@aol.com>
Organization: 
          AOL (http://www.aol.com)
        To: 
          PLOUGH1@IX.NETCOM.COM


Kimberly,

For the first 6 yrs. of my competitions, I rode a thorowgood synthetic
dressage saddle and was very comfortable with it.  I added rings to it
and
also filled up my fanny pack.

Carla Bass & Midnight Bay DBA+ (who is getting webbed feet from all the
rain)

ubject: 
      Re: english vs endurance model saddles
  Date: 
      Mon, 19 Jan 1998 20:58:19 -0600
  From: 
      Chris Paus <paus@micoks.net>
    To: 
      PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com


Hi Kimberly,

Yes, lots of people I ride with use English saddles. There are some made
just for endurance riding -- they have lots of D rings for hanging your
stuff. 

I've done some distance riding in an all purpose saddle. It was ok. Most
people who ride long distance in english saddles use the endurance
styles
or dressage. They like the deep seat. A hut seat saddle is not the most
comfortable because that forward position is hard to carry for miles on
end. An endurance or dressage saddle makes you sit more upright.

I have found an Aussie saddle that works real well for me and Star. It
has
a deep seat and long flaps like a dressage saddle, and has more d-rings
than I will ever use.

If you have a saddle with no d-rings, you can have a saddle maker put
some
on for you. Or do like some competitors do, just wear a fanny pack
andhang
lots of stuff on yourself!

chris paus & star (who has beenthrough 12 saddles finding the right one)

Subject: 
         Re: english vs endurance model saddles
     Date: 
         Mon, 19 Jan 1998 22:19:24 -0500
     From: 
         "Linda S. Flemmer" <bluwolf@earthlink.net>
      To: 
         PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com
References: 
         1


Kimberly Price wrote:
> 
> Does anyone ride in english saddles out there on endurance rides?  What
> type if so and where do you put all your "stuff"?

I did use an english forward jumping saddle on one mare in the early
80's.  It was uncomfortable for me, but it was the only thing that I
could find that fit her.  I had a saddle repairman add loops on the near
side to compliment the off side rings.  There are also cantle and pommel
packs that fit onto an english saddle's billets that are "no-bounce". 
Very helpful for stuffing things away.

> Are there any endurance type saddles one can "try" before they "buy"?

Many folks/stores will allow you to try a used or new saddle, but not to
the extent that you need to see if it works.  (no stirrups, girth billet
marks ok, no sweat/dirt for a trial).  I would look for used saddle, ask
to try saddles at rides, etc.

Sharon Saare will send trees to try on the horse & offers fitting
clinics.  I ride in an Orthoflex.  I think that they fit specific
horses' backs, and service runs hot & cold.  That being said, they offer
a 30 day trial with satisfaction or a refund.  (Some folks have had
problems getting the refund - lots of run around, but a gorgeous, well
made saddle.

Good luck saddle hunting!

Linda Flemmer
Blue WOlf Ranch
Bruceton Mills, WV