My husband is in the market for a new/used saddle. Jave a Dakota and not impressed with the feel, hurts his knees. Rode in it for 6 years.. Just wondering what everyone has and you opinions.

Also I have an old saddle that I love and the name on it is Ralph Rideout, Poplar Bluff MO. Anyone ever heard of this kind? Just wanting more info. on it.

Thanks!

RL Watson Continental. This is a flex-panel saddle and will fit a wide variety of horses. Do a seach on here as there are other posters who have this saddle brand also.

Richard Watson makes a wide variety of cantle styles and seat designs. The Continental has a narrow twist and flatter seat. The flatter seat works well for gaited horse movement as you are not hitting a high rise on your private parts! Men like the lower rise to obvious reasons too.

Here is his direct link and there is also a distributor out of Washington.

http://www.rlwatsonsaddles.com/

http://www.4asaddle.com/

Don't let the price scare ya. The saddle is very functional and extremely well made. Richard also stands behind his saddles and will correct a fit on the rare occasion one occurs. I was able to sell several saddles to help pay for this one and I am able to use it on 5 different build horses.

Has he tried the endurance style stirrups? The extra padding really takes helps with the concussion feeling on the knees. I know they may not look manly, but after a couple of rides he will be convinced.

 #1 DeSoto Custom Endurance saddle made by Marilyn Horstmeier. 

#2 Bob Marshall Endurance

#3 Circle Y Topeka 

I second the Bob Marshall endurance...LOVE MINE....

I loved my Tucker Cheyenne.  I had to give it up for a better fit on my new mare.  I'm now riding in the Circle Y Carlsbad Trail Saddle.  It feels pretty good, and fits my mare great.  BUT.... the tucker felt better on my kees and backside. 

I've also ridden in a Cordura saddle (Fabtron), it was comfy too. 

Ditto on the endurance stirrups, they are a must for me.  First thing I did when I bought my new saddle, switch stirrups.

On the gaited horses, I prefer my Australian Stock Saddle (Downunder Saddlery).

On Quarter Horses, TexTan Flex tree with gel-cushion or Circle Y (old saddle, but a good one).  Both are double hung.

I love my Big Horn with the flextree and memory foam seat.  Please remember as you look for a comfy saddle for the rider it needs to be comfy on the horse too.  I was able to take my horse to the tack shop and try several different saddles on him first.  Then when I had some that fit him well I put my butt in it to see what would was comfy for me.  I realize not everyone can do this but it sure was worth the time for me.

Good luck!

JacciB

Nevada MO made Orthoflex Caliente is hard to beat.   Also ride a Circle Y flex-tree Durango (A-fork). 

Rough riding mountain mule saddle is a Ericksen, from Ennis MT.  Sits all day long well and fits that fine mule!

The most comfortable saddle for me is one I purchased new in 1968, a Simco. It sure fits my butt perfectly after all these years, and besides being restitched, it is going strong! :)

Brenda

I had a saddle custom built 10 years ago and I still prefer to ride in it. I met with the saddlemaker several times during construction and made sure it fit me and the horses I had at the time. It still fits my current horses. It a hard seat and I've never felt the need for a padded seat because it fits so well. It was $1200 at the time and I now understand that same saddlemaker charges over $2500 for saddles today.

The point being there are a lot of small time saddlemakers that can make you a custom saddle, don't be afraid to find a local one and work with them to have a saddle built to fit you.  I don't buy that one saddle is more comforatable than another. Because everybody has a different body shape than me. you need to sit ont he saddle and see if it fits YOU.