|
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
 
Location: MI. | I have been looking at a used Crates trail saddle for my daughter. I was curious if any of you have any experience with a Crates?
Edited by Gone 2009-01-20 6:16 AM
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 954
 
Location: Hagerstown, MD | Crates is not a brand that I'm really familiar with, but if the $ is right and it appears to a good quality saddle...................... deranger |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | I bought a Crates in about 1998. It's been a good saddle and has held up well. I used it as my primary saddle for a number of years before I bought a custom saddle. It's been my back up saddle every since. If it fits your horse, they are well made saddles. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1391
Location: North of Detroit, MI | I love my Crates saddle. THey are built on the Steele tree which provides a flared front for less interference with the horse's shoulders. The person that owns Crates saddles USED to be the builder of Simco saddles - back when they were really good hand-made saddles. Crates are hand made in Tennesee. I have a few friends that have bought Crates after seeing and riding in mine. They hold up well and are a good value for the price. They will fit a variety of horse shapes. That particular saddle, with rounded skirts and brass hardware is at least $1800 or more new. With the rounded skirts, that saddle is considered one of their "gaited saddles".
Edited by gabz 2009-01-21 3:43 PM
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS | The round skirt could also be a crates barrel saddle. I would get the gullet measurements. If it's 7 inch wide then most likely a gaited saddle. If it's 6-3/4 to 6-5/8 then most likley quarter horse bars saddle. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1391
Location: North of Detroit, MI | Crates makes a barrel saddle with a gal's name that I can't think of right now. The brass fittings and strings are what make me think it's more likely a trail saddle. But yes, checking the width is always a good idea. I wish I could remember, but the code on the latigo hanger, on the left side will tell width and length. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: washington | Is that a Martha Josey saddle? I have an older Crates saddle that came with my old Arab mare. It is comfortable and well made. |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 74
Location: NW | Originally written by gabz on 2009-01-24 8:32 PM Crates makes a barrel saddle with a gal's name that I can't think of right now. The brass fittings and strings are what make me think it's more likely a trail saddle. But yes, checking the width is always a good idea. I wish I could remember, but the code on the latigo hanger, on the left side will tell width and length. [/QUOTE You are probably thinking of Meleta Brown - at least that is the current barrel saddle they are producing. I have one & love it. It is extremely comfortable to ride. I put the slanted stirrups on it & was comfortable for hours up in the mountains riding here. Then my mare decided to broaden out much more & the Crates no longer fits.  |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
Location: MI. | Originally written by cowgirl98034 on 2009-01-24 10:07 PM Is that a Martha Josey saddle? I have an older Crates saddle that came with my old Arab mare. It is comfortable and well made. Ya' want to sell it? |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1391
Location: North of Detroit, MI | Originally written by Rockyroad on 2009-01-24 11:12 PM Originally written by gabz on 2009-01-24 8:32 PM Crates makes a barrel saddle with a gal's name that I can't think of right now. The brass fittings and strings are what make me think it's more likely a trail saddle. But yes, checking the width is always a good idea. I wish I could remember, but the code on the latigo hanger, on the left side will tell width and length. You are probably thinking of Meleta Brown - at least that is the current barrel saddle they are producing. I have one & love it. It is extremely comfortable to ride. I put the slanted stirrups on it & was comfortable for hours up in the mountains riding here. Then my mare decided to broaden out much more & the Crates no longer fits. Yup. Maleta Brown. I bought a Fabtron endurance for my wide-bodied MFT. I also replaced those cheapo stirrups with Walls slanted aluminums. LOVE those stirrups. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: washington | I hadn't thought of it but we are not using it so might consider selling our older Crates saddle :) I will ask my daughter if she still wants it. I know I don't... I ride with an endurance saddle and my daughter is using an Abetta western saddle on her old mare. |
|
| |
Saddle
