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Regular
Posts: 84
| I have a harder to fit mare, and was recommended to try a treeless saddle with her. I live no where near any tack shops that carry them regularly. This being said, I have a few questions in general I am hoping to have answered before purchasing!
Looking specifically at either a Tammy Fischer, or Just B Natural saddle. Going to be buying a used saddle so that if it doesn't work, i'm not taking too big of a hit.
1. Those who have rode in both, which is your favorite?
2. Sizing wise, I see a LOT of 14.5. They are both only made in half sizes to me knowledge.. should I go up a half size or down a half size. I normally ride in a 15" treed.
3. My treed saddle is a FQHB. I also see a LOT of wide fit saddles..wondering if wide is equal to the FQHB treed saddle?
Thanks in advance :) |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
 
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | I've never ridden the Just B Natural but I tried a Jackie, Bob, and Tammy. I ended up buying the Tammy. (I did like the Bob too but that one wasn't for sale lol) I also have a mare that is very difficult to fit. I absolutely love it for her. But it does keep you very secure in the seat, so depending on your horse you may or may not like it. I love it on my small but tractor trailer wide mare I got it for. She rates and accelerates extremely quick and this saddle definitely gives me the security I need. She's free running so I dont' feel I need to have much body movement sending her so the security is not an issue (in fact, a plus with her). I typically ride in a 15 treed and bought a 14.5 and it works for me.
I did though try the Tammy on two of the others. The one horse (that takes a semi-quarter bars saddle) it did not fit, too wide. The other horse it fit (he takes a full quarter bars) but I didn't like it with him. Felt like I was too trapped and just couldn't ride him quite right. He's definitely a long strided push horse still growing at 15.3. I just need more seat movement with him.
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Regular
Posts: 84
| Speedy Buckeye Girl - 2016-12-21 9:36 AM
I've never ridden the Just B Natural but I tried a Jackie, Bob, and Tammy. I ended up buying the Tammy. (I did like the Bob too but that one wasn't for sale lol) I also have a mare that is very difficult to fit. I absolutely love it for her. But it does keep you very secure in the seat, so depending on your horse you may or may not like it. I love it on my small but tractor trailer wide mare I got it for. She rates and accelerates extremely quick and this saddle definitely gives me the security I need. She's free running so I dont' feel I need to have much body movement sending her so the security is not an issue (in fact, a plus with her). I typically ride in a 15 treed and bought a 14.5 and it works for me.
I did though try the Tammy on two of the others. The one horse (that takes a semi-quarter bars saddle) it did not fit, too wide. The other horse it fit (he takes a full quarter bars) but I didn't like it with him. Felt like I was too trapped and just couldn't ride him quite right. He's definitely a long strided push horse still growing at 15.3. I just need more seat movement with him.
Thanks for the input. I am assuming you bought the wide? Did your mare previously need a wide, or just full? I am struggling with not trying any before purchasing.. I may end up making a facebook post to see if anyone near me has any I can try.
I actually ride two horses that are difficult to fit, so was hoping to get something that would fit them both, but if not oh well...However they are built differently. I just noticed that the "average" was 14.5" and wide.. so wondering if that was the norm.
I ride both horses differently. My mare is a free runner, and the gelding is a push and I have to hustle him.. so I will probably have to buy two different saddles! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | My mare previously had a full bars but it pinched her shoulders, the back was fine. So the wide treeless was perfect for her. Honestly, unless the horses are similar in build and style, I've always had to ride in different saddles. But JMO. If you can get someone to let you try ANY of the main treeless brands it would be a huge help. Or even go look at some of the local ones for sale and sit in them. Or if you can get someone selling one that maybe will be at a show you're at? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | I ride in a BM and I didnt change seat sizes. If you like a little more room in a saddle then go up a half size, but my Bob fits me just like my Crown C did and both are 14.5 seats. |
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Regular
Posts: 84
| Kay-DRacing. - 2016-12-21 10:11 AM
I ride in a BM and I didnt change seat sizes. If you like a little more room in a saddle then go up a half size, but my Bob fits me just like my Crown C did and both are 14.5 seats.
Unfortunately, I ride in a 15" treed saddle. And The JBN and Tammy's both only come in half sizes.. I have heard very mixed opinions on either going up or going down a half.. but staying with a 15" is not an option. I previously had a BM and did not like it :( |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | tothebrim - 2016-12-21 10:38 AM Kay-DRacing. - 2016-12-21 10:11 AM I ride in a BM and I didnt change seat sizes. If you like a little more room in a saddle then go up a half size, but my Bob fits me just like my Crown C did and both are 14.5 seats. Unfortunately, I ride in a 15" treed saddle. And The JBN and Tammy's both only come in half sizes.. I have heard very mixed opinions on either going up or going down a half.. but staying with a 15" is not an option. I previously had a BM and did not like it : (
Was your BM more snug? I guess I would go off of if you liked feeling very secure in the saddle or not. I hope you find what youre looking for! I struggled with my hard to fit horse too. Its no fun!
Edited by Kay-DRacing. 2016-12-22 1:02 PM
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Regular
Posts: 84
| Kay-DRacing. - 2016-12-21 10:52 AM
tothebrim - 2016-12-21 10:38 AM Kay-DRacing. - 2016-12-21 10:11 AM I ride in a BM and I didnt change seat sizes. If you like a little more room in a saddle then go up a half size, but my Bob fits me just like my Crown C did and both are 14.5 seats. Unfortunately, I ride in a 15" treed saddle. And The JBN and Tammy's both only come in half sizes.. I have heard very mixed opinions on either going up or going down a half.. but staying with a 15" is not an option. I previously had a BM and did not like it : (
Was your BM more snug? I guess I would go off of if you liked feeling very secure in the saddle or not. I hope you find what youre looking for! I struggled with my hard to fit horse too. Its no fun!
I had the BM a few years ago, and it was a used saddle. I was also riding in a 14" then, and cant remember the seat size I went with to save my life. It was the only thing I could find to fit my (then) gelding without breaking the bank. It worked for the time being, and when I sold the horse, I sold the saddle. It seemed like when I had the BM it always threw my legs further back than I wanted. I previously galloped race horses, so I am a more forward rider in general.. and like my legs directly underneath me. I was always getting out of shape in it. I know they make them where you can get the stirrups adjusted directly under or forward now.. but without trying them, it makes me nervous to purchase before hand if that makes sense. And as previously stated, there are no stores close that carry them regularly. I have another friend that galloped race horses, (now 5 states away) that recommended the JBN. Thats what she rides in, and likes it.. so I was leaning more towards that but she is much smaller than I am and cant give me and advise on seat size :( |
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 Zeal Queen
Posts: 3826
Location: TEXAS | Love my TF. My horses both seem to enjoy it better too.....and I even had a coats saddle custom made for one of them and this treeless seems to be better! I rode a 13.5 in a treed saddle, and my treeless is a 14.5  |
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 The Peace Keeper
Posts: 4045
Location: NM Stupid people Coordinator | I have an extremely wide horse also and could not find a saddle to fit her to save my life. I tried a Tammy Fischer at a barrel race one time and never looked back. I bought a 14.5 (usually ride in a 15) wide and I absolutely love it. It makes you feel like you're riding bare back and the horse can feel every movement plus you feel extremely secure. It has made me a way better rider and built my confidence back up after a bad accident before. I won't ride in anything else honestly and I've yet to find a horse that doesn't ride well with it. |
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Regular
Posts: 84
| This is specifically why I am having issues! One of you went up an entire size, and the other went down half a size.. its making me crazzzzy  |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I have treeless and I can ride in a 14.5 and 15 inch seats in a treed saddle, just depends on the brand of saddle, but my treeless I ride in a 15.5, I just go up half a size. If your horse dont have no dip to his/her back then you may be ok with the treed size seats but if your horse does have a dip then your better off going up a half size because your saddle pretty much forms to the horses back and your saddle will get a tiny bit snug.. |
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Zeal Queen
Posts: 3826
Location: TEXAS | tothebrim - 2016-12-21 10:43 AM This is specifically why I am having issues! One of you went up an entire size, and the other went down half a size.. its making me crazzzzy
My guess is that she was riding in a 15 seat but could have been in a much smaller treed size |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | If you ride a 15" treed saddle, you'll definitely want the 15.5" in a Tammy or Jackie. Probably a Bob too. I have ridden them all and ride between a 14.5 and 15 treed saddle and went up on all three of my treeless to get the right fit and not feel like the pommel was pushing into my thighs. |
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Expert
Posts: 2678
Location: Mi | I ride in a 14.5" or 15" treed saddle, prefer my 14.5" and went to the 15.5" Jatzlau and glad that I did. I've been tempted to try a 14.5" but I think it would just be to tight, I don't want to be shoe horned into my saddle. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Its better to go up a half size in a treeless, I was told a whole size many years ago, but I found out a half size was much better for me..
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2016-12-21 12:09 PM
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I prefer the JBN. The Tammy was WAY too confining for me. The JBN allows me to get up and ride.
The lady from Horsetackworld.com says that 0-8 pants is a 14.5 in JBN, and 8-14 is 15.5. I am an 8 and like the 14.5. Was a 14 and had a 15.5. I ride in a 15 inch treed saddle.
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Regular
Posts: 84
| I think I will go with a 14.5 if I decide on the JBN then.. I am a 3/4 or 5/6 pant size depending on the jean. I like to be able to move around and I am comfortable in my treed 15".. but I like the higher cantle for support in my turns. Thanks for the info. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 499
Location: ARKANSAS | i have rode in all 3, the bob the tammy and the JBN...i own 3 JBN if that tells you anything.....the JBN rides like a treed saddle and feels like a treeless to your horse...yes if you ride a 15 in a treed saddle then you will for sure want to get get a 15.5 in a JBN..cause i to ride in a 15 in treed and all 3 of mine are 15.5...i am thinking about selling one of mine as i only ride in 2 of them right now..but i have not made my mind up yet..lol |
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Member
Posts: 47
| My gelding rides in the wide fit Jackie, I was told to always go for the "wide fit" instead of the regular fit for a QH, that the "reg fit" is more for arabs. I usually ride a 14" and got a 14.5" and I like the fit. My only critique is when I post my hip bones knock against the pommell. I definitely wouldn't have gone smaller by any means! Ive never sat in any of the others you mentioned, but I would love to get my hands on an original Bob marshall. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 397
Location: Florida | I have a 15.5" Tammy Wide and a 15" BM.
Personally I like my Tammy better. Bought the BM used as a second saddle. The BM folds in on me and makes the seat snug if I ride it on anything with withers. The Tammy holds form on any horse I put it on.
I ride mostly 15" treed saddles. Plenty of room in my Tammy to get up and out of the seat to ride forward. Plus I have gotten a lot of compliments on it over the years.
The Tammy rides well on anything I put it on, the BM on the other hand has rolled with me on occasion...but, my girth was usually loose |
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Member
Posts: 15
| tothebrim - 2016-12-21 10:43 AM
This is specifically why I am having issues! One of you went up an entire size, and the other went down half a size.. its making me crazzzzy
I felt the same way when trying different TF treeless saddles. All have a serial number and you can look up the saddle by serial number and find out the correct seat size and whether it is reg or wide. I'm not an expert so it's best you do some more research. My experience was that a wide 15.5 fits different than a reg 15.5. I tried saddles from friends and I'm sure they thought they knew the size but use the website and serial number so you can make your own informed decisions. I got a 15.5 and after feeling too squished in smaller ones I love it. I haven't had a chance to make a run in it yet but I'm hoping it works out. What sold me was how our horses relaxed when we took off the treed and put the treeless on. Good luck. |
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| ladyelbert - 2016-12-21 12:03 PM i have rode in all 3, the bob the tammy and the JBN...i own 3 JBN if that tells you anything.....the JBN rides like a treed saddle and feels like a treeless to your horse...yes if you ride a 15 in a treed saddle then you will for sure want to get get a 15.5 in a JBN..cause i to ride in a 15 in treed and all 3 of mine are 15.5...i am thinking about selling one of mine as i only ride in 2 of them right now..but i have not made my mind up yet..lol
Looking for a 15.5 JBN wide if you decide to sell let me know, Thanks
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | tothebrim - 2016-12-21 8:05 AM Kay-DRacing. - 2016-12-21 10:52 AM tothebrim - 2016-12-21 10:38 AM Kay-DRacing. - 2016-12-21 10:11 AM I ride in a BM and I didnt change seat sizes. If you like a little more room in a saddle then go up a half size, but my Bob fits me just like my Crown C did and both are 14.5 seats. Unfortunately, I ride in a 15" treed saddle. And The JBN and Tammy's both only come in half sizes.. I have heard very mixed opinions on either going up or going down a half.. but staying with a 15" is not an option. I previously had a BM and did not like it : (
Was your BM more snug? I guess I would go off of if you liked feeling very secure in the saddle or not. I hope you find what youre looking for! I struggled with my hard to fit horse too. Its no fun!
I had the BM a few years ago, and it was a used saddle. I was also riding in a 14" then, and cant remember the seat size I went with to save my life. It was the only thing I could find to fit my (then ) gelding without breaking the bank. It worked for the time being, and when I sold the horse, I sold the saddle. It seemed like when I had the BM it always threw my legs further back than I wanted. I previously galloped race horses, so I am a more forward rider in general.. and like my legs directly underneath me. I was always getting out of shape in it. I know they make them where you can get the stirrups adjusted directly under or forward now.. but without trying them, it makes me nervous to purchase before hand if that makes sense. And as previously stated, there are no stores close that carry them regularly. I have another friend that galloped race horses, (now 5 states away ) that recommended the JBN. Thats what she rides in, and likes it.. so I was leaning more towards that but she is much smaller than I am and cant give me and advise on seat size : (
I've also ridden in a BM and noticed the same thing. I think it's because there isn't a tree to stabilize? If you're the type that likes to hustle while sitting, this is the saddle for you. I just found it weird to try and stand up and get forward. Comfy as hell though and super secure. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | I have a Jackie and love it, and when buying I didn't get to try one at all so it was basically sight unseen and fingers crossed. I will tell you that rather than basing my seat size off the actual seat size I was told to measure the thigh opening. I was riding a 14" treed saddle at the time but the way it was built it had the same thigh opening as my Jackie which is a 15.5" seat. I bought mine from horse tack world and Felicia was super helpful. Since then I've measured leg openings on my saddles along with seat sizes to help me find the best fit.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | I ride in a 15 treed saddle and on my BM I ride in a 15, but my TF I went with the 15.5, I have thicker thighs and I found that a 14.5 tipped my legs back far enough that it wrenched my hips out of wack. I am a hippy built type of person, I imagine if you're more of a straight up and down build then you might be ok in a 14.5. |
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 I Love the Oldies
Posts: 3767
Location: Central Washington | I've had a Bob Marshall and a Tammy Fischer, liked them both. If I had to pick one over the other I would say the Tammy....I went up 1/2 size. |
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