Posted 2017-02-14 12:15 AM Subject: bear trap saddles
I was thinking about ordering a saddle with bear trap swells and was wondering who rides in one and your thoughts. Do you have to order a 1/2 or full size bigger seat? Please share your experience with them. I tend to get thrown a bit forward in my turns and was wondering if this would help.
Posted 2017-02-15 7:24 AM Subject: RE: bear trap saddles
Veteran
Posts: 275
I have a bear trap and I really like riding in it. It is the same size seat as my other saddles. One thing I have found, they are all shaped a bit differently. I like a milder bear trap. I have sat in a few that really come back too far for me, but that is personal preference. It is my favorite saddle to ride in, seat, jockeys and fenders are all rough out with the bear trap, I don't move in that sucker!
Posted 2017-02-15 8:27 AM Subject: RE: bear trap saddles
Too Skinny
Posts: 8009 Location: LA Lower Alabama
canstogo - 2017-02-14 12:15 AM I was thinking about ordering a saddle with bear trap swells and was wondering who rides in one and your thoughts. Do you have to order a 1/2 or full size bigger seat?
Please share your experience with them. I tend to get thrown a bit forward in my turns and was wondering if this would help.
What saddle are you using now? Have you tried shortening your stirrups so you can brace on your feet more?
Posted 2017-02-15 10:05 AM Subject: RE: bear trap saddles
My seat size is not too small and my stirrups are th right length. I think I tend to stand up a bit in my stirrups due to me fracturing my back a few years ago.
I had a mild bear trap saddle as my first barrel racing saddle and I loved it. Really taught me to keep my butt in the saddle but I honestly never felt "trapped in". If buy a good one in a heartbeat if it fit me right. I like the looks of the Pro Rider bear trap saddles btw.
I have ridden in bear trap saddles for years and I love them. I have won lots of rodeos in mine! LOL
Mine are not extreme bear traps - they are very comfortable. I have a horse that I ride two handed a lot even when I race and it really helps to keep me in position. I have been barrel racing for 35+ years and riding in bear traps for at least 30 of those years. Honestly, I wouldn't have anything else. Most of the bear traps I have I end up getting the seat 1/2" bigger than a regular saddle - then I still have room to move just a little and am not so locked in I am uncomfortable.
I have an almost new one that I am going to sell - it is very nice. I bought two (one for each of my horses) and then sold one of the horses so I have an extra saddle. It's only had about 6 rides in it and was made by a reputable saddle maker who specializes in bear traps.
bear trap saddles
