Posted 2010-11-03 8:54 AM (#126608) Subject: abetta saddle
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??
Posted 2010-11-03 9:36 AM (#126611 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-03 10:47 AM (#126616 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-03 3:36 PM (#126628 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-04 6:18 AM (#126646 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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!
Posted 2010-11-04 8:41 AM (#126653 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-04 7:21 PM (#126672 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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?
Posted 2010-11-04 7:56 PM (#126674 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-04 8:06 PM (#126675 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-05 9:10 AM (#126686 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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!!!
Posted 2010-11-05 12:27 PM (#126692 - in reply to #126686) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-05 3:47 PM (#126706 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
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.
Posted 2010-11-05 8:44 PM (#126714 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-05 8:47 PM (#126715 - in reply to #126706) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
I had an new expensive saddle that went for a swim and by the time I had ridden back to camp it was the best broken in saddle I could ask for. Shaped nicely to my butt. Didn't condition it and just let it dry naturally
Posted 2010-11-06 11:43 PM (#126730 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-07 11:13 AM (#126739 - in reply to #126706) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
I would not consider that a cheap saddle. Who ever sold it may not have known what they had. If it is Leather they are 1000.00-3000.00 new. I would say you got a bargain on a used one. I bought my Steele used for 1300.00 and it will hold it's value as they regularly go for 1500.00 on Ebay.
Posted 2010-11-08 11:06 PM (#126843 - in reply to #126646) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
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.
Posted 2010-11-09 9:07 AM (#126853 - in reply to #126714) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-09 11:42 AM (#126867 - in reply to #126853) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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
Posted 2010-11-09 1:26 PM (#126870 - in reply to #126608) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
Posted 2010-11-10 8:04 AM (#126894 - in reply to #126870) Subject: RE: abetta saddle
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.
I hope they enforce criminal charges and someone got a description of the vehicle.
abetta saddle
