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 Expert
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| I am looking at going with a Martin as my next barrel saddle. I ride very forward and am a little worried that the seats (very inclined) may be problematic for me. Give me some feed back if you own/ride one. Pros, cons, anything I should know.
Edited by scwebster 2015-10-01 12:57 PM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
 
| I am a forward rider and I love the crown c saddles, some people say they dump them more forward then they like, never had this problem.
Please try before you buy, they have a loaner program so you can get the best fit for you and your horse.
If you have questions about crown c fit I can try and help you, just message me |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| cheryl makofka - 2015-10-01 1:12 PM I am a forward rider and I love the crown c saddles, some people say they dump them more forward then they like, never had this problem. Please try before you buy, they have a loaner program so you can get the best fit for you and your horse. If you have questions about crown c fit I can try and help you, just message me
I sure will, thanks so much!!! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 415
| I've had two Crown C's and hated them. Threw me forward, too much work changing gullets with the horse as they get bigger, and I felt like I was being thrown all over and like a bad rider! Ride in an Ammerman now and absolutely love it. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 462
Location: Louisiana | cheeka77 - 2015-10-01 1:52 PM
I've had two Crown C's and hated them. Threw me forward, too much work changing gullets with the horse as they get bigger, and I felt like I was being thrown all over and like a bad rider! Ride in an Ammerman now and absolutely love it.
Totally agree and to add they are the heaviest saddles I have ever tried to put on a horse
I ride Double J Pozzi saddles and would'nt ride anything else. Love them. Keep me balanced and sitting in the center of my horse. |
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Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | It's so interesting how saddles feel to different people. I have two crown C that I love and I couldn't stand the feel of the Pozzi Saddle (I felt like it was pushing me forward) and I ride square. The josey saddle that I sat in of my MIL was polar opposite and felt like it sat me on my rear and couldn't climb out of it.
Other than my crown C I remember liking the feel of an old Caldwell (late 90's) and an old Rhino saddle (early 2000). I like the seat of some of the ammermans I've owned but not the horse fit. I bought and sold 10 saddles one year trying to find the one, lol. Honestly one of the cheaper saddles I liked was a prorider didn't fit my horse great but I really like running colts in it. I could have ran with no stirrups in that thing bc of the rise and seat of that saddle, just a nice seat. But didn't like it for my open horses. I'm too dang picky. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | I also tend to ride straight up and down (not on my pockets or too far forward). I have had a Crown C and currently have a Racer, but next week I should be getting an FX3. The Crown C was great - I loved it, but I was getting thrown forward in the turns. So when my horse outgrew that gullet width I bought a used Racer. The racer definitely helped me sit back more, but the regular bars and wider gullet just weren't working with my flat backed horse the more he filled out (the saddle sat downhill) so after much trial and error through the loaner program I ordered an FX3 with flat bars and I'm hoping that does the trick. Brian at Martin suggested I get the FX3 to help me sit down/back more and keep my feet in front of me. He said the stirrups are set a little more forward on the FX3 so they won't get behind you as easily. |
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 Member
Posts: 15
Location: Fairview, MT | I have a racer and love it! However I think it depends on the rider and running style of the horse. It sits you on your pockets and helps keep your feet forward. It's perfect for me because I have a tendency to ride a little too forward so I feel like it helps me sit for my turns more on my free runner. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I was just looking on the Martin website. It mentions nothing about a demo program...?
Those of you that did one, was it directly from Martin or your local saddle shop? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 11:57 AM
I was just looking on the Martin website. It mentions nothing about a demo program...?
Those of you that did one, was it directly from Martin or your local saddle shop?
Directly through Martin. I called the number on their website and they connected me with Brian. There are other people there that can help you with saddle fit and a demo program too. Just call them and they'll hook you up! |
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I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | KatieMac88 - 2015-10-04 2:59 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 11:57 AM I was just looking on the Martin website. It mentions nothing about a demo program...?
Those of you that did one, was it directly from Martin or your local saddle shop? Directly through Martin. I called the number on their website and they connected me with Brian. There are other people there that can help you with saddle fit and a demo program too. Just call them and they'll hook you up!
Thank youfor the info I am going to give them a call this week. |
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 Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | I have 4 Martins and don't think there is anything bad about them. Like all saddles they won't fit every horse and rider. :-). I have two of the older Ironhorse saddles and I LOVE them. They have the standard 6 3/4" gullet but the tree seems a lot more flared than the current axis tree Martin uses. Those saddles are the most versatile I have ever had as far as fitting most horses pretty well. The Ironhorse seat is also perfect for me - allows me to sit when I want and get up when I want.
I also have a Martin Racer on the Axis tree with 6 3/4" gullet. Very comfortable saddle with a deep seat. It pretty much only fits narrower horses. Tried it on my "normal backed" mare and it made her sore. Rolls on my wide backed mare. I bought for a leaner, higher withered horse. It fits him great but he's really ratey and this saddle keeps you on your butt. So I switched to running him in one of the Ironhorses (with a CSI pad) so I could drive him better. I do wish this saddle had a slightly wider gullet. Like maybe 7.5". Then it would fit more horses I think. But right now I'm keeping it in case I ever have another skinny free runner horse. :-). I do think the axis tree works better with a wider gullet (to a point) because the bars seem straighter or something. Less flare to them, maybe.
Just bought a Martin All Around this summer. Honestly haven't used it much yet so I don't have an opinion. I need to send the serial number in to Martin and get the official stats on it.
Tried the Crown C and didn't like it. Would like to try one of the Sherry Cervi's. Those actually seem to be the most comparable to the older Ironhorses. Martins are a great quality saddle but I'd recommended at least riding in the model you like a couple of times before buying. |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I'm a forward rider and hate how the Martins sit you. I've riden a variety or saddles (some that I really like)....these are on the very bottom of my list. I tried and tried to make them work. They killed my back....I can get along with a Shiloh, Sibley, Double J, Cogdill, Ed Wright, Cactus, Purdy, Molly Powell Reinsman.........I'm not horribly picky, if it fits my horse, I can generally make it work for me. Only saddle I've ever fought getting my feet behind me and being flung forward. Also overall the saddles I felt overall just didn't fit much of anything I tried to ride them on. We have a Cactus team roper that I'd run in before I'd let one of these near my horses.
Edited by MS2011 2015-10-04 9:48 PM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 411
Location: Smack in the middle of WA! | jtaylor - 2015-10-01 12:58 PM
cheeka77 - 2015-10-01 1:52 PM
I've had two Crown C's and hated them. Threw me forward, too much work changing gullets with the horse as they get bigger, and I felt like I was being thrown all over and like a bad rider! Ride in an Ammerman now and absolutely love it.
Totally agree and to add they are the heaviest saddles I have ever tried to put on a horse
I ride Double J Pozzi saddles and would'nt ride anything else. Love them. Keep me balanced and sitting in the center of my horse.
Same here! Had 2 crown c's, and 8 and a 9 inch, and constantly felt like I was being thrown forward. Sold them and got 2 pozzi's and wouldn't ride in anything else! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| I've found if you're a really forward rider (like up over their neck) that you're probably not going to like the Crown C and will need a saddle that sits you on your pockets so you're back where you should be (not so far forward). I ride pretty square and haven't had an issue being thrown forward. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I like my crown c, but I come from an English background. I can't stand feeling trapped. I also have it properly fitted to my horse. If the saddle is too wide, it will tip you forward. Since mine fits, it rides level. I needed help getting up and hustling as I felt other saddles were too deep and trapped me in the seat. I like the freedom of the crown c, but I can see how others would not feel secure. It's personal preference.
The best thing you can do is demo one. If you don't like it, you aren't under any obligation to buy. I was impressed with Martin's customer service as they were very helpful.
I I haven't had any issues fitting my saddle to other horses with using pad and shim changes, but no saddle fits every horse.
Trial and and error is unfortunately a common thing in finding a saddle that works. Keep in mind I'm no pro, but this works for me. :) you just need to find what works for you and your horse, and honestly there are a lot of quality brands out there. |
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| I love my Sheri Cervi martin, great quality but throws me forward also very heavy. but that goes along with the quality. I heard Sheri has to shim her saddle, which i think is odd. Seems like it should be ok without shims if fit correctly |
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Veteran
Posts: 171
| I purchased a crown c a little over a year ago.....I keep trying to use it but it feels like I am being thrown all over in the turns...kinda like my horse is bucking around the barrel.
I usually ride a circle Y or tex tan Connie combs yes they are older saddles but I love the way the ride and fit most horses...I also ride a DHS trophy saddle that has a Charmayne James tree that is used on my free runner.
I need to purchase another saddle but I have not idea which one.
Crown C is also the heaviest saddle I have ever owned. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| canchaserdelux - 2015-10-12 7:55 PM
I purchased a crown c a little over a year ago.....I keep trying to use it but it feels like I am being thrown all over in the turns...kinda like my horse is bucking around the barrel.
I usually ride a circle Y or tex tan Connie combs yes they are older saddles but I love the way the ride and fit most horses...I also ride a DHS trophy saddle that has a Charmayne James tree that is used on my free runner.
I need to purchase another saddle but I have not idea which one.
Crown C is also the heaviest saddle I have ever owned.
There could be a few reasons for you to be feeling like you are thrown around.
Improper seat size
Poor core strength
Wrong tree, I have a flat backed horse and if I ride her in their normal tree, it is like riding a rocking horse, if I ride her in the flat tree, it is perfect.
As for the heavy comment, my tod sloan is the same weight. Quality leather isn't light |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | canchaserdelux - 2015-10-12 7:55 PM I purchased a crown c a little over a year ago.....I keep trying to use it but it feels like I am being thrown all over in the turns...kinda like my horse is bucking around the barrel. I usually ride a circle Y or tex tan Connie combs yes they are older saddles but I love the way the ride and fit most horses...I also ride a DHS trophy saddle that has a Charmayne James tree that is used on my free runner. I need to purchase another saddle but I have not idea which one. Crown C is also the heaviest saddle I have ever owned.
The circle y sits you very different from a crown c, so I could see how you didn't like it.
Maybe a double j would work for you? I believe they have a program where you can demo one for 150$, and if you order a custom saddle that is applied towards your balance. I'm not 100% on the monetary details as I did not wish to pay for a demo. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | I have a crown C, I hate my crown C my horse hates my Crown C and no matter what type of Crown C I try (flat, regular, wider, narrower, etc.) A crown C is just not going to fit my horse. Once I realized we both hate my Crown C I went to the local tack store and tried on a bunch of different Crown C's, nada on the fit or comfort for either of us. Before you dump a lot of money into a Martin, DO THE DEMO PROGRAM! Don't be like me  |
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 ND Sweetheart
Posts: 3471
Location: In My Own Dream Land | I had a Crown C. I'm a very forward rider, and felt like I was going to go over their ears.
I went with a pozzi and things have been better for me. I was told you if you like a crown c you wont like a pozzi, and vice versa. |
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 Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska | fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 2:32 PM KatieMac88 - 2015-10-04 2:59 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 11:57 AM I was just looking on the Martin website. It mentions nothing about a demo program...?
Those of you that did one, was it directly from Martin or your local saddle shop? Directly through Martin. I called the number on their website and they connected me with Brian. There are other people there that can help you with saddle fit and a demo program too. Just call them and they'll hook you up!
I called the number and tried to get a demo in the spring and the gal said they wouldn't do it unless I went and got a proper fitting first. There was no one near me and I had already gotten one done the year before at the BRF. I told her I wanted to try a 7.5 and an 8 because I wasn't sure which I needed and I wasn't sure if I'd need a 14 or 13.5 seat. She was very helpful on the phone but I was disappointed that I couldn't get a demo. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | brlracerchick - 2015-10-14 3:36 PM
fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 2:32 PM KatieMac88 - 2015-10-04 2:59 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 11:57 AM I was just looking on the Martin website. It mentions nothing about a demo program...?
Those of you that did one, was it directly from Martin or your local saddle shop? Directly through Martin. I called the number on their website and they connected me with Brian. There are other people there that can help you with saddle fit and a demo program too. Just call them and they'll hook you up!
This depends on where you live. I am 4 hours out of a tack shop that carries Martin, so they sent me a demo. If you live near a store that stocks them, they will ask you to go there. Honestly I would have preferred to go to a tack store and try several, but I am not close to one.
I think their demo program has become popular, so they are trying to balance that.
I could be wrong, since it has been 2 years since I did the demo program, but this is based on my experience at that time. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | barrelracr131 - 2015-10-15 7:09 AM brlracerchick - 2015-10-14 3:36 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 2:32 PM KatieMac88 - 2015-10-04 2:59 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 11:57 AM I was just looking on the Martin website. It mentions nothing about a demo program...?
Those of you that did one, was it directly from Martin or your local saddle shop? Directly through Martin. I called the number on their website and they connected me with Brian. There are other people there that can help you with saddle fit and a demo program too. Just call them and they'll hook you up! This depends on where you live. I am 4 hours out of a tack shop that carries Martin, so they sent me a demo. If you live near a store that stocks them, they will ask you to go there. Honestly I would have preferred to go to a tack store and try several, but I am not close to one. I think their demo program has become popular, so they are trying to balance that. I could be wrong, since it has been 2 years since I did the demo program, but this is based on my experience at that time.
This is accurate. If you're able to go to the factory or a dealer that is able to fit them that is what they prefer you do. I was nowhere near a dealer and 12 hours from the factory so they worked with me on the demo program. Most of the time though they prefer you have someone help you fit a saddle. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | scwebster - 2015-10-01 12:49 PM I am looking at going with a Martin as my next barrel saddle. I ride very forward and am a little worried that the seats (very inclined) may be problematic for me. Give me some feed back if you own/ride one. Pros, cons, anything I should know.
I just got a Martin FX3 and I LOVE it!!!! It allows me to sit deep but I can still get forward to drive. Might want to look into it if you're worried about getting thrown forward. |
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Sparklin Cowgirl
Posts: 4379
| KatieMac88 - 2015-10-15 8:51 AM scwebster - 2015-10-01 12:49 PM I am looking at going with a Martin as my next barrel saddle. I ride very forward and am a little worried that the seats (very inclined) may be problematic for me. Give me some feed back if you own/ride one. Pros, cons, anything I should know. I just got a Martin FX3 and I LOVE it!!!! It allows me to sit deep but I can still get forward to drive. Might want to look into it if you're worried about getting thrown forward.
I got a Martin FX3 recently and I love it so far. I haven't gotten to "run" in it yet since I don't have anything to ride but a colt right now. I got it because I felt like I needed something that would encourage me to sit back. I have a natural habbit to be too forward and in the horses' way. |
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Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska | barrelracr131 - 2015-10-15 7:09 AM brlracerchick - 2015-10-14 3:36 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 2:32 PM KatieMac88 - 2015-10-04 2:59 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 11:57 AM I was just looking on the Martin website. It mentions nothing about a demo program...?
Those of you that did one, was it directly from Martin or your local saddle shop? Directly through Martin. I called the number on their website and they connected me with Brian. There are other people there that can help you with saddle fit and a demo program too. Just call them and they'll hook you up! This depends on where you live. I am 4 hours out of a tack shop that carries Martin, so they sent me a demo. If you live near a store that stocks them, they will ask you to go there. Honestly I would have preferred to go to a tack store and try several, but I am not close to one. I think their demo program has become popular, so they are trying to balance that. I could be wrong, since it has been 2 years since I did the demo program, but this is based on my experience at that time.
I am an hour away from 2 places that carry Martin saddles; however, both are smack dab in the middle of the city making it hard to haul a horse to try them on. I had already contacted both and neither of them had what I was looking for and one would not order anything just try. When I talked to the gal, she said that both of the places were just dealers, not fitters. She was very nice and helpful, I was just disappointed they couldn't send me a demo especially since I knew exactly what I was looking for fitwise, just didn't know the exact size. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | brlracerchick - 2015-10-15 12:26 PM
barrelracr131 - 2015-10-15 7:09 AM brlracerchick - 2015-10-14 3:36 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 2:32 PM KatieMac88 - 2015-10-04 2:59 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 11:57 AM I was just looking on the Martin website. It mentions nothing about a demo program...?
Those of you that did one, was it directly from Martin or your local saddle shop? Directly through Martin. I called the number on their website and they connected me with Brian. There are other people there that can help you with saddle fit and a demo program too. Just call them and they'll hook you up! This depends on where you live. I am 4 hours out of a tack shop that carries Martin, so they sent me a demo. If you live near a store that stocks them, they will ask you to go there. Honestly I would have preferred to go to a tack store and try several, but I am not close to one. I think their demo program has become popular, so they are trying to balance that. I could be wrong, since it has been 2 years since I did the demo program, but this is based on my experience at that time.
That really stinks. I'm sorry. Try calling them back to see if you can send them pictures of your horse and maybe they can suggest what gullet size they think he/she would fit best. That might lead to them putting you in contact with someone who might send you a demo saddle and talk you through the fitting process. Even if they don't send you a saddle that will at least give you a starting point for what their saddle fitters think your horse would probably fit in. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2049
Location: Utah | I've rode the original Sherry Cervi, the Crown C, The FX3 & The Racer. I started with the original Cervi, and I LOVE that saddle. I still have it and it is one of my favorites to ride, it is 10 years old and in awesome shape. I got a horse that is really ratey and it felt like I was going to go over the dash board on that saddle (had a kiddo to and just didn't feel as secure), I got a Crown C. I felt like the Crown C sat me more on my crotch and I am a pocket rider. After several discussions with Brian, he told me the Crown C wasn't going to work for me and to go with the Racer. I LOVE my 2 racers. I feel so secure in them and they fit good as well. On a whim I asked to have an FX3 demo sent. It is better than the Crown C for me, but I still don't love the ground seat. Brian laughed at me when I called him back, and told me to stay with what worked. For me the original Cervi and the Racer models of their saddles are the best fit. That said, I'm not a super "forward" rider, I like to be able to roll my hips and ride with a shorter stirrup. I've never rode a Pozzi, but have several friends that like them and the Semas saddles both.
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Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska | KatieMac88 - 2015-10-15 1:17 PM brlracerchick - 2015-10-15 12:26 PM barrelracr131 - 2015-10-15 7:09 AM brlracerchick - 2015-10-14 3:36 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 2:32 PM KatieMac88 - 2015-10-04 2:59 PM fulltiltfilly - 2015-10-04 11:57 AM I was just looking on the Martin website. It mentions nothing about a demo program...?
Those of you that did one, was it directly from Martin or your local saddle shop? Directly through Martin. I called the number on their website and they connected me with Brian. There are other people there that can help you with saddle fit and a demo program too. Just call them and they'll hook you up! This depends on where you live. I am 4 hours out of a tack shop that carries Martin, so they sent me a demo. If you live near a store that stocks them, they will ask you to go there. Honestly I would have preferred to go to a tack store and try several, but I am not close to one. I think their demo program has become popular, so they are trying to balance that. I could be wrong, since it has been 2 years since I did the demo program, but this is based on my experience at that time. That really stinks. I'm sorry. Try calling them back to see if you can send them pictures of your horse and maybe they can suggest what gullet size they think he/she would fit best. That might lead to them putting you in contact with someone who might send you a demo saddle and talk you through the fitting process. Even if they don't send you a saddle that will at least give you a starting point for what their saddle fitters think your horse would probably fit in.
That was earlier in the spring. I ended up just buying a used 13.5 with a 7.5 gullet that fit just fine :) |
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You all that ride Martin Saddles