Posted 2007-02-25 11:04 PM (#56296 - in reply to #56268) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: washington
I have had my flexpanel saddle for a few months now and ridden a lot, even though it's been rainy, and I love my saddle! It is a great fit for my horse and for me. My horse now holds a trot, canter, whatever speed we choose, he doesn't keep breaking gait due to the discomfort of a bad fitting saddle. I didn't realize my other saddle was so uncomfortable for him until I saw the white hairs start to appear. First time I rode with a great fitting saddle I immediately noticed the difference in him. No more fidgeting when saddling either. You can find the saddles on the web - flexpanelsaddle.com is one of their links... they are good people.*
Posted 2007-02-27 8:17 AM (#56370 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Member
Posts: 7
Location: kilgore, tx
I have been doing alot of saddle looking and almost bought one of the flex tree saddles. Actually the store owner showed me a bare tree and stepped on it in the middle and he said he wasn't in favor of the flex tree. He said how would you like the bars to be moving in and out on your shoulder all day. In a way it makes since, but then other people seem to swear by them, so once again maybe it depends on how good the fit actually is. The flex panel saddle seems to make alot more since because it's the panel that moves and you don't have to worry about getting uneven pressure. There saddles from what I've seen on there web site www.4asaddle.com are very pretty saddles and they make alot of since. Not cheap but then good saddles usually aren't. They even have a used saddle section for people that need something right away and don't want to wait months to get a saddle. I'm still checking out all my options because I can't afford to have alot of saddles sitting in the barn that don't fit anybody. It just cost to much. Good luck to all hunting for that right saddle.
Posted 2007-02-27 9:19 AM (#56372 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
A pro trainer near me starts,retrains ALL breeds and mules.Been at it full time about 15 years.(he prefers T/B,appendix,warmbloods,LIKES mules)He and I discussed saddles in the past and he tried them all years back including Othro Flex(said they were junk) Mules and drafter crosses hard to fit and some Arabs.He has used this brand for a decade.Uses 5 or 6 daily with ones out bing rebuilt or every other year a new one coming in.Fallis (spelling wrong maybe)Balance Rides.He swears about fit and durability.He pays about 2k plus for them or did a couple years ago.
Posted 2007-03-05 9:11 PM (#56745 - in reply to #56291) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Regular
Posts: 94 Location: Minnesota
Longears, as GoGo said - there's a lack of support between the pommel and the cantle as I understand it? I ride long hours in the saddle, so that wasn't a good choice for me.
I know there are many opinions about the flex panel saddles. I am not 100% sure on mine, but it is the best fit I've found so far. The design makes sense to me.
Posted 2007-03-07 10:15 PM (#56853 - in reply to #56745) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Location: Brighton, Colorado
I am seriously considering one of these saddles, however I do a lot of work in the saddle. Between team roping and ranch work, does anyone know if any of their saddles will hold up to the abuse. I had posted in another thread that my horses back is flat and round and my other 2 saddles started to leave hot spots on his should last year (6yrsold) and I am leary of fistuation.
Posted 2007-03-08 8:35 AM (#56866 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Member
Posts: 7
Location: kilgore, tx
I'm not sure about all the things that you do in your riding but you can contact the man a 4asaddle.com and he would be the one that could tell you what they will or won't hold up to. I know they have alot of different saddles so I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have something for roping and ranch work. I know they have a couple of different size trees that they put in there saddles too for the even larger horse. Good luck.
Posted 2007-03-09 11:49 AM (#56922 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Member
Posts: 7
Location: kilgore, tx
I've seen those corrector pads in the mag. and I wondered how good they was. Do you have to do anything special to them if you fill like you have a good fitting saddle but just want to make sure that the horse is as comfortable as possible. You hate to take any chances and find out after there's already a problem. I've been using the saddle I have for 6 years on the same horse and she doesn't have a mark on her and seems to be quit comfortable and beleive me she would let you know if she wasn't.
Posted 2007-03-10 4:49 AM (#56940 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Elite Veteran
Posts: 602 Location: md
I thought they stopped making fallis saddles. I know of 3 people that have original ones. Yes , they are very good saddles. I personally like the ortho flex.
Posted 2007-03-10 9:23 AM (#56945 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Location: KY
Just got the new endurance saddle made for National Bridle Shop by Big Horn. Going to put it on a horse today for sure. For walking horses, the Tennessean line (imo) is the best there is, fit and quality and at a decent price.
Posted 2007-03-10 1:07 PM (#56952 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Well I hate Western gear on Walking/gaited horses.Always have.Their not a western horse.I ride a M&W Trooper and wife rides a Haggis Trooper.Simple saddle that works/fits mile after mile.Now on our our Qtr stock thats differant.
Posted 2007-03-10 11:09 PM (#56977 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Location: KY
Houndog; the Haggis is as fine a saddle as they come; I just like the added security of the western style pommel; as far as looks tho I like a saddle horse in english gear...... saddle suit and all..........
Posted 2007-03-11 4:49 AM (#56978 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
I underswtand. I refuse to show our Tobi WALKING horse stallion in SSHBEA shoes because of the Western gear,.He's being shown in Park Performance.The only Tobi so far in fields of solids.
Posted 2007-03-11 5:54 PM (#57007 - in reply to #56912) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by dallyup31 on 2007-03-09 7:55 AM
I purchased a Corrector Pad last year for my roping horse. I love it!!!! Works with any saddle and is made by the same guy who invented ortho flex saddles.
Keep in mind that a corrector pad will not "correct" an ill fitting saddle. The saddle should have a fairly good fit to begin with.
Posted 2007-03-11 10:48 PM (#57024 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Location: KY
Houndog: I rode the Tennessean endurance saddle today and it is comfy (will be better once I have the fenders softened up and turned; it's now in my den with my cane thru the stirrups, and it came with the enduro with thick pads stirrups). 5" cantle really felt good; nice pocket. My boy buggered at one of our dogs (go figure) and I didn't even move in the saddle. I have often wondered why sshbea is western only.... a lit up horse with english and a brown or black saddle suit would look good, I think. Oh well, just my op which with 5 bucks will get a cup of coffee!
Posted 2007-03-12 5:05 AM (#57026 - in reply to #51839) Subject: RE: Saddle fit odyssey
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Well SSHBEA show stuff looks stupid.A nice steping gaited horse,long shank bits,long toes,spurs,chaps and most carry a english crop.These type horses were bred as high headed nice stepping means of transportation.Not a work or cow type.My Tobis are Walking horses I just HAPPEN to register them with SSHBEA whom I don't care for very much.Wife and I have discussed in the past that really wouldn't bother us not to reg.them SSHBEA.Its like the Pinto reg.really have no need to mess with such.We show ONE stud in Twhbea shows and want him SOLD.That monthly board/train/show bill is such a waste of good money.We also refuse to play with the Tenn.crowd where most SSHBEA shows are held.Sorry for the HIJACK.Back to SADDLE FIT.
Saddle fit odyssey
