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| I've decided to try it. I've only ever ridden in treed saddles before, but have had difficulty finding something that would comfortably fit both my horses, as at the moment, I can't buy them both custom fitted saddles. I've had a Caldwell Rocket in the past, and while it fit one well, the other it just wasn't quite right... and it was heavy. I need a pretty light saddle.
I would love to hear what you thought of them, going from a treed saddle, to a treeless?
Pads that work? Girths that work?
I don't know anyone in the area that rides in a large enough BM for me to try, so I'm taking a bit of a leap. I've read about them quite a bit and have been curious to try one for some time.
Any info, tips, or opinions will be helpful!
At the moment I'm riding in a very old, Premier. My first barrel saddle... unfortunately doesn't fit my mare well at all and I'm battling it the whole way through the pattern.
Edited by CallMeSkidmark 2015-05-14 11:30 AM
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  JMHO
Posts: 1869
 
Location: Oklahoma | I bought a used one about a month ago and just love it! I tried a Jackie Y and really liked it. I go back and forth between a 1/4" felt pad and my CSI 1/2". My gelding is very high withered and he has been getting better and better every ride. No fights or tantrums and he's more bendy. I do use Sore No More after every ride because a bunch of friends told me it would make his back sore. He hasn't gotten sore yet. Good luck! |
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Veteran
Posts: 113
| Bob Marshall's do NOT sore up horses. In my experience they fix soreness, not cause it, and I have ridden in them for over 10 years on MANY horses
I like wool felt pads and you need to use a short cinch that doesn't stretch (no string cinches) |
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Veteran
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| MeepMeep - 2015-05-14 1:00 PM
Bob Marshall's do NOT sore up horses. In my experience they fix soreness, not cause it, and I have ridden in them for over 10 years on MANY horses
I like wool felt pads and you need to use a short cinch that doesn't stretch (no string cinches)
Thank you! I have several different types of pads and girths (One of the plusses to having a trainer husband) But wasn't sure what to strive for to keep my horse comfortable.
My mare loves to tattle on saddles that don't fit her (She's a super sensitive and feely mare), so I'm pretty excited to try something this different. |
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Veteran
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| Dreamin of 3cans - 2015-05-14 12:21 PM
I bought a used one about a month ago and just love it! I tried a Jackie Y and really liked it. I go back and forth between a 1/4" felt pad and my CSI 1/2". My gelding is very high withered and he has been getting better and better every ride. No fights or tantrums and he's more bendy. I do use Sore No More after every ride because a bunch of friends told me it would make his back sore. He hasn't gotten sore yet. Good luck!
I honestly haven't heard of them making a horse sore, unless the rider was like a sack of taters. lol But thank you! I'm excited to see how it rides. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| I've heard of it. They do not work well for all horses.
They do not work well for all riders either. They can get a rider to start leaning and can get one "throwing their weight" instead of riding correctly.
I'm not a fan. They trap you in and don't let you move when some horses you need to be able to do so. Some ppl love them though, but I don't see them riding multiple horses. I've had 10-12 over the years and always got rid of them for one reason or another. They can work great for some horse/rider combos but not for others. |
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Veteran
Posts: 113
| The better rider you are, the better you are going to get along with a Bob Marshall IMO |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| MeepMeep - 2015-05-14 2:43 PM
The better rider you are, the better you are going to get along with a Bob Marshall IMO
LOL thats why you see Troy Crumrine in one huh?
I think its funny on here when people get offended and are so set in their ways. It will work for some but not for others.
Edited by astreakinchic 2015-05-14 1:46 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| Lol, People, people... well, I will just have to be the deciding factor, then!
In all honesty, I don't like getting up out of the saddle and move around much. I stay in a deep pocket. I am NOT a jockey and don't ride like one, so that's why I say it'd probably work for my style of riding.
I think it's worth trying. If it doesn't work for me, then it doesn't work. It's no big deal... wouldn't be the first saddle that I've purchased that wasn't my style that other people swore by. At this point, I'm working barrels in a Bobs Custom because it has a close contact seat and sits me very close to my horse. It's just what I like. But it is far to heavy for me and would really like something lighter.
Thank you guys for your opinions, both for and against them!
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Doggy Diaper Designer
Posts: 2322
Location: WI | I just went through this and got one two days ago. My advice if you are ordering one. Go through Geri rini. Do not, I repeat do not call Bob Marshall direct. Geri gives you way more info and explains all the options that most don't even know exist. |
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Veteran
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| stef73433 - 2015-05-14 8:59 PM
I just went through this and got one two days ago. My advice if you are ordering one. Go through Geri rini. Do not, I repeat do not call Bob Marshall direct. Geri gives you way more info and explains all the options that most don't even know exist.
I was able to speak with Geri, but she didn't have anything available in the time frame that I needed, so I'm purchasing used. She was a big help, though, and very knowledgeable. |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
Location: NC | I have never been crazy about the looks of a BM, but the one they show in the BHN magizines lately is pretty sharp looking!! Good luck. |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| HorsesNHarleys - 2015-05-15 7:41 AM
I have never been crazy about the looks of a BM, but the one they show in the BHN magizines lately is pretty sharp looking!! Good luck.
It's funny you mention that... I think they're ugly as sin. But I figure if I love the way it rides, I'll order a brand new one next year. LOVE the new squared off skirts. By far the better looking of all the designs. I just didn't want to spend well over 2k on a custom order and wait months to get it, just to not like the way it rides. So this used saddle will be my guinea pig. lol
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 Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: South MS | CallMeSkidmark - 2015-05-14 11:28 AM I've decided to try it. I've only ever ridden in treed saddles before, but have had difficulty finding something that would comfortably fit both my horses, as at the moment, I can't buy them both custom fitted saddles. I've had a Caldwell Rocket in the past, and while it fit one well, the other it just wasn't quite right... and it was heavy. I need a pretty light saddle. I would love to hear what you thought of them, going from a treed saddle, to a treeless? Pads that work? Girths that work? I don't know anyone in the area that rides in a large enough BM for me to try, so I'm taking a bit of a leap. I've read about them quite a bit and have been curious to try one for some time. Any info, tips, or opinions will be helpful! At the moment I'm riding in a very old, Premier. My first barrel saddle... unfortunately doesn't fit my mare well at all and I'm battling it the whole way through the pattern.
I ride a 14.5 Crown C and a 15.5 Bob Marshall - I use a smart cinch (on my 15.1 hd horse I have a 26" girth due to dropped rigging) - I like the smart cinch because I can tighten it while on the horse if needed as sometimes when mounting my saddle would shift to the side so I started getting on and straightening it then tightening it
I use a 1/2" 5 Star pad with mine
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 Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I keep one around just because on certain horses they are magic, but on other horses they are horrible. Just depends on the horse for me. |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| Lmichaels - 2015-05-15 10:18 AM
CallMeSkidmark - 2015-05-14 11:28 AM I've decided to try it. I've only ever ridden in treed saddles before, but have had difficulty finding something that would comfortably fit both my horses, as at the moment, I can't buy them both custom fitted saddles. I've had a Caldwell Rocket in the past, and while it fit one well, the other it just wasn't quite right... and it was heavy. I need a pretty light saddle. I would love to hear what you thought of them, going from a treed saddle, to a treeless? Pads that work? Girths that work? I don't know anyone in the area that rides in a large enough BM for me to try, so I'm taking a bit of a leap. I've read about them quite a bit and have been curious to try one for some time. Any info, tips, or opinions will be helpful! At the moment I'm riding in a very old, Premier. My first barrel saddle... unfortunately doesn't fit my mare well at all and I'm battling it the whole way through the pattern.
I ride a 14.5 Crown C and a 15.5 Bob Marshall - I use a smart cinch (on my 15.1 hd horse I have a 26" girth due to dropped rigging) - I like the smart cinch because I can tighten it while on the horse if needed as sometimes when mounting my saddle would shift to the side so I started getting on and straightening it then tightening it
I use a 1/2" 5 Star pad with mine
Thank you! Very helpful! |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| Herbie - 2015-05-15 10:22 AM
I keep one around just because on certain horses they are magic, but on other horses they are horrible. Just depends on the horse for me.
Good to know! Why did it work on some, but not others, for you? Just curious. I have two horses who are complete opposites as far as conformation and way of going. |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Some horses that are more snakey in a turn it's like riding a waterbed for me or a real loose hided bucking bull. LOL I prefer it on a horse that has a wide back but nice wither and I don't get along with a BM at all unless it has a back cinch on it. I don't like it on horses that are really narrow through their back because I feel like I don't have anything under me and my legs are too close together. |
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Veteran
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| Herbie - 2015-05-15 10:31 AM
Some horses that are more snakey in a turn it's like riding a waterbed for me or a real loose hided bucking bull. LOL I prefer it on a horse that has a wide back but nice wither and I don't get along with a BM at all unless it has a back cinch on it. I don't like it on horses that are really narrow through their back because I feel like I don't have anything under me and my legs are too close together.
I can understand that! Neither of mine are narrow... both have a substantial quarter horse body. One is just more of a front endy four wheel drive, type runner... while the other is very free running, roll back style. It'll be interesting to see how it goes with both. |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | I have been riding original Bob Marshalls since the early 90's, back when everyone was asking me what kind of saddle it was. lol I've also won over $100K+ barrel racing in them. I actually had Bob Marshall show me how to position the saddle, etc. There is a LOT of misinformation put out there by so-called "experts". Bob Marshalls are not in any way, shape or form like a treed saddle. Don't expect them to ride like one and don't expect them to be positioned on a horse's back like one. When they first came out, Bob was really good to explain how they work and how to rig them and why, but now, they could care less, and I feel like that's why a lot of people are dissatisfied with them. I average around 10 horses a year through my barn, and they are all different sizes, shapes, etc. I have been riding BM's for around 25 years. I'd say that's multiple horses w/all different builds and riding styles. They do NOT trap you in, and I have fallen out of them more times than I can count. In fact, I almost got blown out the back last night on the 3rd when my horse really fired leaving the barrel. As for soreness, in all that time, I've never had a sore backed horse from the saddle. I've cured several that came to me sore from being ridden in very high dollar treed saddles. If you want to pm me with specific questions, I will be glad to tell you what I've learned from riding and competing on 200+ different horses in these saddles. Not everyone likes the feel of them, and not every horse likes them, but they've sure kept me off the saddle buying merry-go-round. I go through way too many horses to buy a new saddle for every different horse. ;)
Edited by dianeguinn 2015-05-15 11:14 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| dianeguinn - 2015-05-15 11:11 AM
I have been riding original Bob Marshalls since the early 90's, back when everyone was asking me what kind of saddle it was. lol I've also won over $100K+ barrel racing in them. I actually had Bob Marshall show me how to position the saddle, etc. There is a LOT of misinformation put out there by so-called "experts". Bob Marshalls are not in any way, shape or form like a treed saddle. Don't expect them to ride like one and don't expect them to be positioned on a horse's back like one. When they first came out, Bob was really good to explain how they work and how to rig them and why, but now, they could care less, and I feel like that's why a lot of people are dissatisfied with them. I average around 10 horses a year through my barn, and they are all different sizes, shapes, etc. I have been riding BM's for around 25 years. I'd say that's multiple horses w/all different builds and riding styles. They do NOT trap you in, and I have fallen out of them more times than I can count. In fact, I almost got blown out the back last night on the 3rd when my horse really fired leaving the barrel. As for soreness, in all that time, I've never had a sore backed horse from the saddle. I've cured several that came to me sore from being ridden in very high dollar treed saddles. If you want to pm me with specific questions, I will be glad to tell you what I've learned from riding and competing on 200+ different horses in these saddles. Not everyone likes the feel of them, and not every horse likes them, but they've sure kept me off the saddle buying merry-go-round. I go through way too many horses to buy a new saddle for every different horse. ;)
Thank you! I very well may have some questions when I get it in! |
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Buying my first Orig Bob Marshall