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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| How does everyone go about finding a new saddle/ordering one. I want to make sure that this is going to fit my horse. We live in the middle of no where so going getting one and trying it on the horse isn't really an option. What would your guys' suggestions be? I was looking at a Lisa Lockhart or a Double J. I want one that isn't super heavy but still durable. I guess I was hoping they would have some way to measure your horse or some program of how to select the best one for your horse. Any suggestions or advise is appreciated!
Thanks in advance! |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I am lucky enough to live in an area where they travel with their trees to fit at races... but Double J does have a demo program where you buy the saddle at full price, test ride, return it and they refund you your money. I have also been told that I could e-mail them pictures of my horse and they could guess a tree, but that makes me a little nervous. Some dealers are trained in fit, but they might not have all the trees available. Also you can check around at local races and see what people have and they would probably let you see how theirs fit your horse.
I orded mine thru a dealer. It was 15-20% less than Double J's MSRP. That was better than the 10% off I could get with my AQHA membership.... and helped tremendously on the price! |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
 
| Several of the saddle makers will send you a demo saddle to try. I did this with Meleeta Brown's Freedom Fit barrel saddle. I bought the demo. I think I have heard that Double J has a demo program. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| I did see about Double J's program but looks like you have to pay $150 for them to ship each saddle even if you return it... |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Tatum2 - 2015-03-25 11:09 AM I did see about Double J's program but looks like you have to pay $150 for them to ship each saddle even if you return it...
Ouch!! That's costly! Where are you located? I would call and see if they are ever set up in your area. I know they travel a lot, but OK/TX is all that I'm familar with. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| Longneck - 2015-03-25 11:12 AM
Tatum2 - 2015-03-25 11:09 AM I did see about Double J's program but looks like you have to pay $150 for them to ship each saddle even if you return it...
Ouch!! That's costly! Where are you located? I would call and see if they are ever set up in your area. I know they travel a lot, but OK/TX is all that I'm familar with.
On the southern part of North Dakota so I would have to ask them. I use a Tod Salone that is awfully heavy |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Tatum2 - 2015-03-25 11:09 AM
I did see about Double J's program but looks like you have to pay $150 for them to ship each saddle even if you return it...
I am guessing that is a shipping charge? Sounds pretty fair to me, but it has been awhile since I shipped a saddle. I had to pay shipping on the demo saddle, but then I bought the demo saddle so she gave me a small discount on the saddle. To me it is worth it because I hate selling things and shipping them. |
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| Do you have anyone nearby that rides a Double J you could try on your horse? I feel your frustration. I swore I'd never buy another saddle again without trying it on my horse and I ate my words. BUT - a good friend bought a used Double J regular fit tree so tried it on my gelding. I loved the fit except it was tight in the shoulders. All of a sudden an older model used Double J in the wide fit came available and I took a chance. It fits like a GLOVE - both me and my horse and I am thrilled. Tried a few brands and this is the first time ever (and he is 7) that I have zero dry spots after a ride now. Good luck to you!!! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| GLP - 2015-03-25 11:18 AM
Tatum2 - 2015-03-25 11:09 AM
I did see about Double J's program but looks like you have to pay $150 for them to ship each saddle even if you return it...
I am guessing that is a shipping charge? Sounds pretty fair to me, but it has been awhile since I shipped a saddle. I had to pay shipping on the demo saddle, but then I bought the demo saddle so she gave me a small discount on the saddle. To me it is worth it because I hate selling things and shipping them.
Yes it is the shipping charge but the way I see it is I am probably not going to buy the first saddle that they ship I'd like to compare it to others they have. So by the time I compare three saddles I already have $450 into it and may not even get a saddle. Just the way I see it.Thought it was steep. I have contacted them via email to see what my options are. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | I had my mare fit by a double j rep and then ordered a new saddle directly through her. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| Anyone have any pros or cons about Lisa Lockhart Saddle or Double J |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | I bought my first double j after I had my mare fit. I have since added another to my tackroom. I won't buy anything else from here on out. I love the way they ride and they hold their value. Quality is top notch as well. I did just get out of a circle y (marlene, not lisa) and really liked it too... so I think both options are great ones. Whichever you end up choosing you will be happy with :) |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Do Double Js fit a flat-backed horse? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | barrelracr131 - 2015-03-26 12:37 PM
Do Double Js fit a flat-backed horse?
There's a tree that will I would imagine. They have 8 or 9 different trees. I own a lm nueva and a standard pozzi but I ride narrower tb types. I have a friend with flatter backed cow horses and she has a #10 tree, a #11 tree and a wide tree pozzi and get all her horses covered with those. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | Tatum2 - 2015-03-25 11:17 AM Longneck - 2015-03-25 11:12 AM Tatum2 - 2015-03-25 11:09 AM I did see about Double J's program but looks like you have to pay $150 for them to ship each saddle even if you return it... Ouch!! That's costly! Where are you located? I would call and see if they are ever set up in your area. I know they travel a lot, but OK/TX is all that I'm familar with. On the southern part of North Dakota so I would have to ask them. I use a Tod Salone that is awfully heavy
well, Marcella Johnson is a double J rep in Bismarck
Jackie Entzel at leanin Pole Arena in Killdeer has a bazillion saddles......
You need to do some looking around, there's ALOT of different saddles in our state, you just need to get to asking.
I know of a Martin Crown C, FX, Courts Camarillo, Double J, Lockhart saddles within 10 miles of my house.....
I will help if you give me some more info. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | jschipper - 2015-03-26 2:40 PM barrelracr131 - 2015-03-26 12:37 PM Do Double Js fit a flat-backed horse? There's a tree that will I would imagine. They have 8 or 9 different trees. I own a lm nueva and a standard pozzi but I ride narrower tb types. I have a friend with flatter backed cow horses and she has a #10 tree, a #11 tree and a wide tree pozzi and get all her horses covered with those.
I will have to contact them. I have a flat-backed horse that is pear shaped.. his back is wide but has a narrower long shoulder. He's fun to fit. LOL |
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 I Want a "MAN"
Posts: 3610
Location: MD | barrelracr131 - 2015-03-26 3:01 PM jschipper - 2015-03-26 2:40 PM barrelracr131 - 2015-03-26 12:37 PM Do Double Js fit a flat-backed horse? There's a tree that will I would imagine. They have 8 or 9 different trees. I own a lm nueva and a standard pozzi but I ride narrower tb types. I have a friend with flatter backed cow horses and she has a #10 tree, a #11 tree and a wide tree pozzi and get all her horses covered with those.
Did you ever figure out your saddle situation? I recently bought a 5 yr old cow bred mare that has a flat back my pro riders are too shapey for her. Drooling over a Double J Elite Pro but I want to make sure it will be a good fit. Where can I find info about their different trees. I looked on the website |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | CE's wrapn3 - 2015-09-10 10:47 AM barrelracr131 - 2015-03-26 3:01 PM jschipper - 2015-03-26 2:40 PM barrelracr131 - 2015-03-26 12:37 PM Do Double Js fit a flat-backed horse? There's a tree that will I would imagine. They have 8 or 9 different trees. I own a lm nueva and a standard pozzi but I ride narrower tb types. I have a friend with flatter backed cow horses and she has a #10 tree, a #11 tree and a wide tree pozzi and get all her horses covered with those.
You can just send in an email to the address listed on their site. I sent one yesterday around 12 and got a call a couple hours later from someone who knew their trees. I can give you his e-mail if you'd like. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: SW MO | barrelracr131 - 2015-03-26 3:01 PM
jschipper - 2015-03-26 2:40 PM barrelracr131 - 2015-03-26 12:37 PM Do Double Js fit a flat-backed horse? There's a tree that will I would imagine. They have 8 or 9 different trees. I own a lm nueva and a standard pozzi but I ride narrower tb types. I have a friend with flatter backed cow horses and she has a #10 tree, a #11 tree and a wide tree pozzi and get all her horses covered with those.
Not trying to hijack your post but Alison I have a gelding that exact shape and sent Larry Coats pics of him and he sent me a tree, I put it on the horse and sent pics of it ( it was a PERFECT fit) then sent the tree back. You may want to look into that, in my experience (I have had 5 double j saddles, different trees) they don't work the best for flat backs. too much rock. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I ended up with a Crown C. I've had it a year or two now and it has been working well. His narrow shoulder filled in some. I use a 1/2" 5 star and the wider classic equine shim. He's been doing well and no soreness in his back :)
ETA- It's not a perfect fit, but this is the best he's ever moved. I don't do any of the special therapies on his back, and I don't massage or chiro him unless he needs it. I haven't had to since getting this saddle. If your horse is REALLY flat backed, I've heard martin makes a flat bar tree.
I did the demo program with martin and this ended up working out.
Edited by barrelracr131 2015-09-10 1:05 PM
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 Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
| Just a suggestion, call Todd Sloan and ask what the tree measurements are. If it fits your horse - you now have a starting point to ask about tree sizes with which ever saddle you decide to inquire about. As for the LL or Double J - I can't advise. Good Luck though! |
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