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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
   
Location: NE Texas | Those of you who have ridden these saddles, do you feel like they run true to size? For example, if I ride a 14" Shiloh, will I ride a 14" merrill as well? Or any other saddle for that matter. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
 
Location: Phoenix | I've heard they run large, so you would want to order a half size smaller than what you normally would. That's only what I've heard. |
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 The Incredibily Absorbent One
Posts: 2044
Location: Southern Minnesota | They do run smaller! I tried a 14 and it felt big and i was sloppy i actually owned two 14 inch Merrills i found a super old one that as listed as a 13.5 inch i got it home and it ended up being a 13. It fits amazing and sits on a horse wonderful. Def go smaller with a Merrill. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | well darn......I was hoping the opposite was the case and that is need to go up a half size. :( anyone else that has ridden a Merrill have an opinion on the seat size? |
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 I don't want to screw up!
Posts: 3881
Location: North Dakota -> Colorado | I know I had a 14.5" Crown C, It was too big for me and I just couldn't get out and ride in it, So I had a Merrill made(which I absolutely love!) I was originally going to order a 14" in the Merrill but they asked for my weight and height and said I fell into a 13.5". I love love love the feel of this 13.5" and wouldn't want it any other way. |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | If you look at the shape of the saddle you can see why the Merrill feels bigger.
The Shiloh has swells that are more straight up. The Merrill sweeps more forward and gives you more thigh room. I like having more room and ride a 14.5" Caldwell ProMax and a 14" Merrill. They are great saddles. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | You guys are dream killers! HAHAHA There's a 15.5" for sale on here that is so nice, but by the sound of it, I really probably need a 14.5 or maybe a 14. Or I guess I could buy the 15.5 and eat more candy bars....  |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | If it is the one I think you are talking about, I bought it. Lucky for me I got it a little cheaper because it has the old tree and is broke in at least two places and the cantle is loose. I think it is actually a 15", just measures a little bigger because the cantle is loose and pushed back.
Anyways, I already sent it to Neil Merrill to get it re treed. I am super impressed with the quality of the saddle (other than the tree of course) and can't wait to get it back with the new tree. |
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 Banjo and Baby
Posts: 7259
Location: South of Canada and North of Mexico | Depends if your Shiloh is a Contender or not, the Contenders have undercut swells so they run big, I normally ride in a 14.5-15" saddle but I can ride in a 14 or 14.5 contender. My other Shilohs I have found to be true to size. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I was actually just using the Shiloh as an example because i've ridden most of Shiloh's trees and knew many on here had as well. I actually ride a Joey Jemison cutter on a daily basis, but also want something a little lighter as a second option for my smaller made horse. Called Three Forks Saddlery and they had a 14.5 and I bought it. Been wanting to try a Merrill for so long and i'm pretty excited about it! GREAT customer service and when I called I found out they were customers of where I work, so was able to help them out with some questions on our merchandise......so worked out well! Thanks all for the input on these saddles, and good luck with yours, Barnmom!  |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | I have to say this is about the only saddle I haven't tried that I would like to. It seems everyone that has them loves them.
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Nevertooold - 2014-02-26 3:35 PM I have to say this is about the only saddle I haven't tried that I would like to. It seems everyone that has them loves them.
This is exactly where I was at, NTO. There are a few barrel saddles I like ok, but nothing rides like this Jemison cutter I have. Me lovey it! Thought i'd give the Merrill as shot as a second option to run my pony in. I've tried everything else, may as well try the Merrill. If I don't like it, i'll look for another smaller skirted cutter. |
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 I Prefer a Beard
Posts: 1944
| I love my Merrill. My old saddle was a 14 and my Merrill is a 13 3/4. I recently had the new tree put in it and they were great to work with. While my Merrill was in the shop I hated riding in my old saddle. I can't believe how spoiled the Merrill has made me LOL. |
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I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | Herbie - 2014-02-26 3:49 PM Nevertooold - 2014-02-26 3:35 PM I have to say this is about the only saddle I haven't tried that I would like to. It seems everyone that has them loves them.
This is exactly where I was at, NTO. There are a few barrel saddles I like ok, but nothing rides like this Jemison cutter I have. Me lovey it! Thought i'd give the Merrill as shot as a second option to run my pony in. I've tried everything else, may as well try the Merrill. If I don't like it, i'll look for another smaller skirted cutter.
Herbie..If you don't like it...let me know and if I have the money I will buy it. |
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Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | Herbie - 2014-02-26 3:23 PM I was actually just using the Shiloh as an example because i've ridden most of Shiloh's trees and knew many on here had as well. I actually ride a Joey Jemison cutter on a daily basis, but also want something a little lighter as a second option for my smaller made horse. Called Three Forks Saddlery and they had a 14.5 and I bought it. Been wanting to try a Merrill for so long and i'm pretty excited about it! GREAT customer service and when I called I found out they were customers of where I work, so was able to help them out with some questions on our merchandise......so worked out well! Thanks all for the input on these saddles, and good luck with yours, Barnmom!
Thanks! The customer service at Three Forks is great! They even answered the phone and were very nice about answering all my stupid questions on a Saturday.
I think when it is all said and done I will have a Merrill for around $1250, they said the seat could be padded a little more if it feels too big once the new tree is in it. I can't wait! |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I bought one that turned out to be broken. Loved the saddle! I was very sad. It kind of scared me to try another one, I didn't trust the tree to stay together, but as far as I know they've been fine. I bought that one in 2004 and sold it cheap in 05 to someone who didn't mind having it re-treed. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Nevertooold - 2014-02-26 7:51 PM Herbie - 2014-02-26 3:49 PM Nevertooold - 2014-02-26 3:35 PM I have to say this is about the only saddle I haven't tried that I would like to. It seems everyone that has them loves them.
This is exactly where I was at, NTO. There are a few barrel saddles I like ok, but nothing rides like this Jemison cutter I have. Me lovey it! Thought i'd give the Merrill as shot as a second option to run my pony in. I've tried everything else, may as well try the Merrill. If I don't like it, i'll look for another smaller skirted cutter.
I'll let you know if I don't like it. Pretty excited for it to get here.....it and a Stoney are pretty much the only two things I haven't tried. |
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I don't want to screw up!
Posts: 3881
Location: North Dakota -> Colorado | I love love love mine! When I ordered mine, there was a messup in what I ordered and the saddle that I received wasn't exactly what I had ordered (and being the perfectionist that I am) I called back, and they were extremely good to work with and got me my saddle in less time than I was told to expect! Customer service is excellent! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: Ellensburg, Washington | I feel they run larger in size. I normally ride a 15 inch and a 14.5 is almost too big. I am debating getting rid of my Sibley and getting another Merrill. |
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Merrill Barrel saddles