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Regular
Posts: 51
Location: Edwards Ms | Need some input. My western saddle I have had about 10 years,the older I get the heavier it gets if you know what I mean!! I am thinkn about buying me a lightweight saddle as a backup. Am interested in the Abetta trail saddle. Now my question? The two horses I ride are a spotted saddle horse 1200lb and a tenn walker about 1000lbs. Both of them are just average size no hi wither or narrow shoulders like some gaited horses. So should I consider buying a gaited horse saddle or just get one that has the same size gullet as my leather saddle. I worry about it being so light weight that it would collapse down on their withers? I notice that their regular trail saddles come with a flex tree or a regular tree. Anybody use them?? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
 
Location: missouri | It depends on what kind of riding you do... if you really put time on the trail, Abetta is OUT. It is more of a "practice" saddle for working in the round pen for an hour or so. They are JUNK that is conveniently washable. Look for a good used saddle that fits you and your horse and you will be glad you did. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: Ohio | Ever considered an Australian saddle? My wife and I, Parents, and in-laws all ride in Australian saddles. Some are pretty light (mine is all leather and only 23 lbs) Some are heavy-my wifes is about 30 lbs and is a much smaller saddle. go figure. You can get a synthetic that will weigh around 17-20 pounds. We all ride SSH's, Walkers, and Rocky Mountain horses and never had a problem with fitment of Aussies w/ stuffed panels. Plus they are very comfortable for trail riding. An option maybe? Good luck! |
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Member
Posts: 36
Location: Snow Camp NC | My Wife just got a Aussie saddle and loves it. Her's is a Wintec I think and they are easy to make fit any horse. |
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Veteran
Posts: 187
Location: KS | My son has an abetta pathfinder that he has been using for trailriding for the last 5 or 6 years and he likes it and it has held up well to all the miles that has been put on it, it weighs 19 lbs. I have a crestridge sonata that weighs 21 lbs, that I ride in and like real well. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: Georgia | I cannot comment on the abetta as I have never ridden in one. I switched to a treeless Original Bob Marshall and I absolutely love it. (Some folks hate them.) It weighs about 18lbs all rigged up. My horse is short backed with odd shaped withers and it fits him like a dream. I really like how it feels almost as if you are riding bare back and allows you to really feel your horse. From what I understand the one type of horse the treeless will not work well on is one that is really round with little or no withers. I use the Skito pad under my saddle and my horse has never been sore. I trail ride anywhere from 2 to 6 hours at a time.
Good luck with whatever you decide to purchase! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326
Location: Gallatin, TN | Both Big Horn and Circle Y make a very affordable lightweight saddle. The Circle Y brand is under the name of High Horse. Both brands offer the memory foam seat and ride equally well. I rode my Big Horn for years until I bought a really high withered TWH and then I went to the Circle Y version. We ride almost every weekend, a minimum of 6 - 8 hours both days and the Big Horn has held up very well. The big horn had the flex tree and quite honestly I can't tell the difference between it and my Circle Y which does not have the flex tree. |
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Veteran
Posts: 186
| I know what you mean I am in the same boat. My cousin has an Abetta, I rode her Walker in it, when I first sat in it-- felt great but after three hours on the trail I couldn't wait to get out of it. That saddle was probubly made in the 90's held up very well, they may have changed? I once read something about the "old days" a saddle cost $50.00 you could buy a regular saddle horse for $10.00 but at the same time a "rambler (aka gaited) if you could find one" cost $300.00. Story still holds, a good saddle will cost you more than a horse these days. Anybody try the Tennessean light weight ones? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | I bought a new circle y flex 2 and it didn't fit my walker cross or my peruvians although it was light weight and comfy for me. I called circle Y and they said they wouldn't have a tree that would work nor did the Tucker. I tried a BOB Marshall and didn't like it at all. I ened up with a Steele and it is a fantastic saddle. They are about 1800.00-2000.00 new and worth every penny. |
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Location: KY | I recently purchased a Jack Haggis field trial saddle. Fits twh beautifully, very comfortable for horse and human, weight is about 22 pounds with english leathers and irons. This is the second Haggis I have owned and I will never sell this one. Highly recommend this saddle and saddlemaker. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326
Location: Gallatin, TN | I forgot to say in my post that both Big Horn and Circle Y have a gaited version of the saddles I described and the price range is $500 - $700. |
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Regular
Posts: 51
Location: Edwards Ms | Thanks guys for all your responses....I'll keep doing my research and try and figure something out. My budget is gonna be in the 500 to 600 dollar range,if that much, might even try and find a good used one. BTW there is no way I could justify paying $2000 for a saddle to trail ride in!!! |
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Veteran
Posts: 161
Location: S. Central Illinois | I trail ride in a Crestridge Saddlery saddle that is synthetic and leather. I have had one going on 6 years and it still looks good. A friend of mine did some work on it and commented on the quality of the tree. You can buy a new one for around $700. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: Ohio | Penejoe, I couldn't agree more. There's no way I'd pay that much for a trail saddle. Our last trip out, we had 3 horses run off out of our group. They all had saddles on. A Syd Hill aussie, Kimberley Supreme Aussie, and a no name Indian built aussie (that's great quality and very comfortable by the way). The owners of the expensive saddles were freaking out about loosing their expensive saddles or them getting damaged when the other one was like "I only paid X amount for mine so if it goes missing or damaged, I'm not concerned." Of course they all got the horses and tack back in tact, but still. My horse LOVES water. She laid down in the creek we were letting them drink in last year with my saddle on her. It was soaked, but some good drying and leather conditioner I still use the same one almost daily. It was a $150 craigslist purchase. "Outback Saddle Co." I think. Best money I've spent. I love that "el-cheapo" saddle. |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290495701645&ssPageName=ADME:B:FSEL:US:1123 Check out this very good quality used saddle, a trooper style. Made in Canada out of excellent materials.....price is good as well right now.....I personally could not ride the abetta....rode one of a friends once.after an hour I was ready to die....and I ride a lot........10 hours one way this June in my Ericksen mountain saddle without an ache or soreness...but that saddle is not light for your interests.
Edited by flyinghfarm 2010-11-05 7:09 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | I you have ridden in a nice saddle then you could appreciate it more. A 2000.00 saddle is not in every one budget but it obviously is for some or they wouldn't make them and sell them. I have never been in a situation in 30 yrs where any of my horses or any one I have ridden with has had there horses take off with saddles in tow. So if I had to worry about my horse running off with my expensive saddle I would be spending that money on a different horse and riding with people that had control of there mounts. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | Originally written by GRNMCHNEDAZE on 2010-11-05 3:47 PM My horse LOVES water. She laid down in the creek we were letting them drink in last year with my saddle on her. It was soaked, but some good drying and leather conditioner I still use the same one almost daily. It was a $150 craigslist purchase. "Outback Saddle Co." I think. Best money I've spent. I love that "el-cheapo" saddle. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM | I could more easily justify a 2000 dollar saddle for trail riding when my horse will wear that saddle for many more miles and hours than the 20 minutes he will spend carrying me around a show ring. If a cheaper saddle fits well and performs well, then by all means save the extra dough. But if you spend as many hours in the saddle as I do quality is of the utmost concern, for both myself and my horse.
Marla |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | Originally written by GRNMCHNEDAZE on 2010-11-05 3:47 PM It was a $150 craigslist purchase. "Outback Saddle Co." I think. Best money I've spent. I love that "el-cheapo" saddle. |
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Regular
Posts: 73
Location: MI | Originally written by lesliemal on 2010-11-04 6:18 AMI cannot comment on the abetta as I have never ridden in one. I switched to a treeless Original Bob Marshall and I absolutely love it. (Some folks hate them.) It weighs about 18lbs all rigged up. My horse is short backed with odd shaped withers and it fits him like a dream. I really like how it feels almost as if you are riding bare back and allows you to really feel your horse. From what I understand the one type of horse the treeless will not work well on is one that is really round with little or no withers. I use the Skito pad under my saddle and my horse has never been sore. I trail ride anywhere from 2 to 6 hours at a time. Good luck with whatever you decide to purchase! +1 Have two Bob Marshall saddles - one endurance style, one a western style. Just got back from a week in southern Ohio on rides of two to five hours. Before I just used a hand me down no name Western saddle and had horrible knee pain. |
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Veteran
Posts: 212
Location: novinger, mo | http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com/ Click on saddles to see all the styles including the synthetic.
Great saddles for the $$. You can order a saddle in the tree size you need. The owner will help you figure out which tree will work. Hopefully the same one will work for both horses. I have friends who have had Crest Ridge saddles for years and they have held up well. They are nothing like the cheap Abettas.
Judy |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: Ohio | Originally written by laurie on 2010-11-05 9:44 PM
I have never been in a situation in 30 yrs where any of my horses or any one I have ridden with has had there horses take off with saddles in tow. So if I had to worry about my horse running off with my expensive saddle I would be spending that money on a different horse and riding with people that had control of there mounts. Actually, these horses are all VERY broke, well behaved, and expensive. We rode to the back of a 3 walled canyon and decided to stop to grab a bite to eat, take some pictures, etc. and not 10 seconds after we got off the horses, a tree broke in half on top of the ridge, cracked and crashed real loud. We didn't even have a chance to tie them. Most of us had control of our horses, but they all spooked and the 3 got loose from the riders and ran out the way we came in. Recovered shortly after, but scary nonetheless. Anyway, thanks for the words on the saddle. To me, it's priceless. Fits my horse and me great. I recommend aussies to almost everyone I meet. We spend anywhere from 8-12 hours in the saddle in the spring and fall-less in the summer heat so a comfortable saddle is a must. I just have a hard time spending so much money for something that gets used and subjected to "crap happens" scenarios. OP--Good luck on your saddle search! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | Thanks for clarifying. I get worried when I hear about inexperienced horses and riders causing accidents and injuries. 4 people were riding on a horse/bike trail and last week and 4 bikers came up and scared the horses, all horses threw the riders and ran. 1 cut his leg on newly poured concrete and cut a main artery and had to be put down on the trail. The bikers did not even stop and just kept on going |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: Ohio | That is scary. It wasn't anything like that. All of us (14 riders) were off of our horses when it happened and the 3 that ran were closest to the exit. While we were at hocking hills, apparently some people came in on skin and bones horses and rode one until it collapsed then put it down on the trail. Didn't tell anyone except a nearby camper who called the rangers. They left in a hurry. pathetic. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | Originally written by GRNMCHNEDAZE on 2010-11-09 1:26 PM That is scary. It wasn't anything like that. All of us (14 riders) were off of our horses when it happened and the 3 that ran were closest to the exit. While we were at hocking hills, apparently some people came in on skin and bones horses and rode one until it collapsed then put it down on the trail. Didn't tell anyone except a nearby camper who called the rangers. They left in a hurry. pathetic. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: Ohio | We talked to one of the rangers that patrols the campground and 4 days after this happened, they still hadn't got a plate number or anything other than what they were wearing and they had a red stock trailer. Ranger acted pretty non-chalant about it and didn't really act like they were going to do much more than throw some lye on the corpse and let it decomp where it died (which was about 15' off the trail apparently). He said by the time they found the horse, it had swelled to about 2 1/2 times it's normal size and didn't see them being able to get it out of the woods. I never saw or smelled it so they must've done a good job. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | Originally written by Penejoe on 2010-11-05 9:10 AM
Thanks guys for all your responses....I'll keep doing my research and try and figure something out. My budget is gonna be in the 500 to 600 dollar range,if that much, might even try and find a good used one. BTW there is no way I could justify paying $2000 for a saddle to trail ride in!!!
Trail riding is where the fit of the saddle is more important than any other disaplain. Long hours on the trail, you need a quality saddle, that fits both the horse and rider. Cheap, lower quality saddles are just that. If you spend long hours in them, you will usually find end up hurting the horses due to poor fit, or the saddle breaking down. I used a Big Horn endurance for about 3 years, until the tree cracked just from normal use, and started to damage my horses back. Usually, it is a case of getting what you pay for, and spending more, to get a GOOD quality saddle, will last you for years, and you will not be out saddle shopping again and again. My horse carries me mile after mile down the trail, so I figure he is worth spending the money to make it as comfortable as possible for him.
But, I'd also guess that more casual trail riders choose a saddle first by looks, then how it fits them, and then how it fits the horse. Many just don't know what to look for in fit. I know I didn't for years
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 610
Location: Northern CA | Ok guys, I have ridden in an Abetta endurance saddle now for years. I used to do endurance. I have used this saddle on about 6 different horses now. I have friends that do long distance trail and endurance riding that have switched to the Abetta. Mine has held up for over 10 years of hard riding. The only con; the d-rings that you attach the breast-collar to, pulled out.Other-wise, this saddle has really held up. It sits me in the correct position and sits correctly on the horses back. My horses have never gotten sore backs from this saddle. I just purchased the new "Serenity" endurance model with the memory foam seat. LOVE LOVE LOVE this saddle. SOO comfy. Long hours in it too. I have ridden in Big Horn and a lot of the other synthetic saddles. Abetta is by far the best out of the synthetic saddles. Can't beat the price either. I have had $2000- dollar saddles that were not as good to ride in as the Abetta. It just depends on what discipline of riding you do and how you are built. Also, Abetta is made in the good ol' USA. |
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Member
Posts: 48
| I just read reviews yesterday of their endurance version. Most were 4 or 5 stars out of 5.http://www.horsetackreview.com/review-database-search.php3I ride endurance in my $3800 dressage saddle right now. After reading the reviews, I'm ordering a $500 to ride hundreds of miles in. I'll let ya know how it goes ;) |
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abetta saddle
