Ortho-Flex saddles - System 3

[Kimberly Huck <khuck@magicnet.net>]

	I am considering purchasing an Ortho-Flex ExpressLite saddle.  I spoke
with an Ortho-Flex Distributor this past weekend.  The meeting was very
informative.  There is a new system out, "System 3".  It appears to bend
and flex even more than the system 2 panels and it can be adjusted in the
front to fit horses that are built differently on each side of their body.
In addition, there are the shims that can be added if needed.  Seems kind
of neat.  Has anyone had any experience with the new system?  Also, has
anyone tried the new "Sofsteel Patriot"?  I understand it to be synthetic.
It is a form of naugahyde (sp?) leather?  Wondering how that would hold up
in the long run?  Would appreciate any comments.  

	Oh, and after searching the archives and reading the discussions about
Ortho-Flex's... it seems that people who had shorter backed horses had more
problems with loin rubbing.  One person suggested measuring the horse's
back to determine if it was short or long.  Is there a magic # that makes
an Ortho-Flex the right choice or not? I thought that Ortho-Flex had
shortened up the panels in the last few years.  The distributor indicated
to me that the reason some people had had loin rubbing was due to the way a
person rode in the saddle.  If a person had a tendency to stand in the
saddle, as an example, it would tip the saddle forward just slightly enough
to raise the panels up.  Therefore, the loin rubbing was actually being
caused by friction rub.  So, I'm guessing that if you are a person who
likes to stand a lot, the Ortho-Flex may not be the best choice?  

	Also someone had mentioned that the trees in the Endurance c/b are shorter
than the trees in the Express lite?  Is that still true?

	Thanks again for the input.  Please e-mail me privately so as not to
clutter up the list.  All comments welcome.  Happy trails!


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