saddle survey#2 (long)

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

Subject: 
         Re: english vs endurance model saddles
     Date: 
         Mon, 19 Jan 1998 23:00:03 EST
     From: 
         rides2far@juno.com (Angela C. McGhee)
      To: 
         PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com
References: 
         1
Hi Kimberly,
I started out on a jumping saddle.  It made my horse's back sore.  But
besides that, I had major lower back pain.  It's because the jumping
seat
involves you leaning forward (hence the name forward seat)  This
position
puts a lot of strain on your lower back.  If I were going to ride an
English saddle, I would look at the dressage saddles.  Nina Warren, who
until recently was the winningest rider in history, rides an English
saddle.  So does Melissa Crain who has been in several international
competitions.

Angie McGhee

Subject: 
      Re: english vs endurance model saddles
  Date: 
      Mon, 19 Jan 1998 23:36:30, -0500
  From: 
      XXDU78A@prodigy.com (MS LOUISE D BURTON)
    To: 
      PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com


My husband rode for years in a Stubben and my kids both ride English. 
My
son in a synthetic, my daughter in a leather.
Change the stirrups!  Get some type of trail tec, flex ride, EZ ride,
etc.
My kids, who are small, solved the problem carrying stuff by getting
these
really neat pads that have pockets.  They put their easy boot in one,
and
their water bottle in the other.
My husband puts his easy boot on his breast collar and wears his water
and
necessary stuff.  Remember, if you truely need your stuff, your horse
will
probably be gone!  He also got more rings added on to his Stubben.
Hope this helps.
Louise Burton & Fa Al Badi+/
Firedance Farms Endurance Arabians
OK

Subject: 
      Re: english vs endurance model saddles
  Date: 
      Mon, 19 Jan 1998 21:26:27 -0800 (PST)
  From: 
      rburgess@slonet.org (robyn burgess)
    To: 
      PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com


Hi Kimberly,

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

I've ridden for the last 2 1/2 years in a english saddle - a Courbette
Kurfurst. I love the saddle, it's real comfortable and secure.  I just
bought a used SR Enduro (I've wanted an SR Enduro for so long and am so
jazzed to finally get one!!) so I'm selling my Kurfurst now.  I always
swore as a kid I'd never ride in an english saddle...boy did I have to
eat LOTS of crow when I tried this one and bought it! Snug Pak makes a
pack that fits on the back - it holds 2 water bottles and has enough
room to pack plenty of "stuff."  This pack is made to fit specifically
for english type saddles.  I got mine from Sport Tack.  In fact I'm
gonna sell it now cuz it won't work right on the new saddle.  The
Kurfurst has lots of rings to hook things on......sponge, scoop, etc... 
I attatched the heart monitor pouch and a vet card pouch to my breast
collar.  I took alot of teasing from my mom about "Robyn is riding in an
english saddle.....is she okay?"  This goes WAY back to the rivalry
between my sister and I.  I was a dead hard western rider and my sister
rode english......we constantly argued about which was better.  Of
course the 17+ hand thoroughbred she rode would have looked mighty funny
in a western saddle.  But I have to admit......I really like this
saddle!

I also have an "endurance type" saddle (haven't a clue who made it!)
that I used when I first started in endurance.  I bought it from Jackie
Bumgardner in '94 and used it for a little over 2 years.  (Gotta sell it
too!)  I guess what you use is just up to you and your own
preferance......just like the discussions on what breed or color of
horse is best.  Whatever works best for you!  

Good luck in your search!

Robyn Burgess 
Atascadero, CA


Subject: 
      Re: english vs endurance model saddles
  Date: 
      Tue, 20 Jan 1998 06:37:47 -0500 (EST)
  From: 
      Dolores Arste <darste@emi.com>
    To: 
      PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com


I ride in a Frank Baines. It has rings all over it for stuff, is well
balanced, and has a dressage type seat. It encourages you to ride long
and
my horse loves it. Demos ARE available. Write back to me and I can tell
you
more.
Subject: 
          Re: english vs endurance model saddles
      Date: 
          Tue, 20 Jan 1998 11:33:13 EST
      From: 
          MSulli5332 <MSulli5332@aol.com>
Organization: 
          AOL (http://www.aol.com)
        To: 
          PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com


Kimberly,
I ride in a Stubben. I used to ride in a Wintec but it made my mares
hair turn
white near her withers. Wintecs seem to work ok if you're a
featherweight but
I'm not. I have never had any problems with the Stubben. I chose Stubben
over
other saddles because they have been in business for over a hundred
years and
I figured for a saddle company to stay in business for that long they
must be
doing something right. There are many different styles of Stubben
saddles so
you really need to sit in some and see which one fits you best. They are
pretty expensive but as far as I'm concerned they are well worth it. If
you're
going to the convention there should be a lot of different types of
saddles
there that you can try. Remember, If you're not comfortable your horse
won't
be either and if your horse isn't comfortable neither are you. Hope this
helps.
Maureen

Subject: 
          Re: english vs endurance model saddles
      Date: 
          Tue, 20 Jan 1998 12:44:19 EST
      From: 
          RICMARC <RICMARC@aol.com>
Organization: 
          AOL (http://www.aol.com)
        To: 
          PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com


Hi , I use english saddles I have Stubben Survival
Tristen   Jessica Dressage ThroGood-------I take them
to a saddle maker and have more rings and things put
on

Marcy

Subject: 
          Re: english vs endurance model saddles
      Date: 
          Tue, 20 Jan 1998 14:58:38 EST
      From: 
          Misxfire <Misxfire@aol.com>
Organization: 
          AOL (http://www.aol.com)
        To: 
          PLOUGH1@IX.NETCOM.COM


Hi Kimberly,

   I alternate using an English saddle, a Courbette Trenck, with an OF
with a
separate firm synthetic felt pad which eliminates the loin scrubbing.  I
use
two saddles because I have not been lucky enough to find one saddle that
fits
my horse.  By doing this the area of the white hairs has a chance to
rest.
Have been doing this for years and the horse has no permanent white
hairs nor
does the horse get marked down for back soreness on either NATRC or AERC
rides
On both saddles I use pommel bags to carry large soft sided H20 bottles
which
I use to pour on the horse or for him to drink out of a scoop and I tie
the
rump rug and/or poncho to the back of the saddle.  I don't carry
anything
heavy or firm on the back of the saddle cause I am afraid no matter how
well
stuff is tied down it will bounce and make the horse's loin sore.  The
pommel
bags are thickly padded on the side that touches the horse.  They do
bounce
around but don't seem to hurt the horse's shoulders.  I also use a waist
pack
for the easyboot and my own and the horse's food and electrolytes and
wear a
Camel for my water.

Good luck,

Judy Etheridge

Subject: 
          Re: english vs endurance model saddles
      Date: 
          Tue, 20 Jan 1998 19:03:53 EST
      From: 
          CSimmons99 <CSimmons99@aol.com>
Organization: 
          AOL (http://www.aol.com)
        To: 
          PLOUGH1@IX.NETCOM.COM


Myself and alot of my friends ride the "english/trail" model of
Ortho-Flex.
The most popular one is the Endurance Cutback.  It's built on the
Dresseur
dressage tree but has an all-purpose flap.  We like it because of the
padded
seat and 2" thighblocks for security on down hills and spooks.  The
patented
panel system gives greater weight distribution over a larger area which
reduces the pounds per square inch weight factor.  The panel system
flex's and
moves with the horse's back rather than being fixed a real comfort plus
for
most horses.  Not the perfect saddle for all horses but definetly one of
the
most comfortable.

Sorry to run-on but I get calls all the time from people who have tried
so
many and are happy with the O/F for both them AND their horse.   (and
yes, I
do sell them, new and used).  Good luck.   (P.S.  A lot of us used to be
in
Kieffers, Wintecs, Stubben's.  The first Wintec's we got for our kids
spoiled
our derierre's and then O/F came out with padded.  We couldn't go back
to our
minimal support, non-padded English saddles.  I liked the first
Wintec's.
They've lost their original comfort and for awhile were very narrow in
the
gullet.  I preferred the AAchen A/P Kieffer and the Tristen-Stubben. 
The
jump/forward seat saddles are to forward leg position wise, as far as I
am
concerned for distance riding.  (Marathon/Paragon/Siegried etc).  It is
easy
to have d-rings and footman loops added.