My son's gf is in the market for a new saddle for her young barrel horse. She asked me to ask the BHW experts about MJ saddles----so I'm asking!! Thanks y'all for the help.
Posts: 49 Location: In the saddle enjoying the East Texas sky
Her saddles are Circle Y and I have always loved and ridden in them. I bought her "cash" in 2013 and it is the nicest saddle I've ever ridden in. Mine has a very deep seat and some people have rode in it and said they feel "trapped" because the back is high. I prefer it that way, but each is own.
I'm on my 3rd MJ saddle & love how they fit a horse & fit me. I will say that my current saddle used to fit a little better when my horse was younger, but now that he is old, he has high withers & depressions behind his withers. That makes his saddle not fit as well as it used to. I ride an older "Ultimate".
I bought an Ultimate about a year ago because of a recommendation of my trainer. She has ridden every kind there is and the Ultimate was what she said to get. I love mine. Martha has just come out with a new model that I believe is called the wrap around. It kind of has a hollowed out place for your butt to fit in. The thing I like most is the forward hung stirrups.
I've had a few ultimates over the years and have always loved them. They haven't fit all the different types of horses that I've had which is the only reason I've ended up selling, I love they way they ride.
Posted 2015-07-31 9:10 AM Subject: RE: Martha Josey saddles
Veteran
Posts: 212
the ultimates really keep feet in front of you and fit most of what i rode in it.... however.. to me when i first got it the seat felt really hard it took a while to get used to... and the way the stirrups are rigged dont allow for much leg moving which can be good or bad depending on the horse...
Posted 2015-07-31 10:32 AM Subject: RE: Martha Josey saddles
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Posts: 12842
alp341 - 2015-07-31 9:10 AM
the ultimates really keep feet in front of you and fit most of what i rode in it.... however.. to me when i first got it the seat felt really hard it took a while to get used to... and the way the stirrups are rigged dont allow for much leg moving which can be good or bad depending on the horse...
I have to agree. It did take some getting used to. It about killed my butt bones for a short period of time. Once I got used to it though it is great. The first time I rode in mine was at the Reunion at Josey's and that was a disaster. Funny now but not then.
Ill be the odd one out and say that I just dont like them. I owned two and both sored the backs of three different horses. Also, the forward hung stirrups for me didnt aloow for correct riding. I never felt balanced.
Posted 2015-08-03 9:58 AM Subject: RE: Martha Josey saddles
Elite Veteran
Posts: 628 Location: Missouri
I have had one for 15 years now. It was my first and I still ride in it. I have never had to replace anything, just clean it and make sure everything is working. I just bought a used ultimate the exact same as my other. I will probably never ride in another. They fit 90% of the horses I ride and fit me like a glove and they really last.
Martha Josey saddles
