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 BHW New Catch of the Day
Posts: 9884
    
Location: Missouri | Looking at a saddle to purchase and it has a bear trap. Sits nice on my horse and it's comfy to ride. I've never ran in one, need like and dislike opinions. I did run a set or 2 at home, but home is a small pattern and he doesn't hussle like at a show.
The other one I'm looking at is a flex tree, I like the feel of sitting closer to my horse but it's a tad uncomfortable in the non mentionables area, lol. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Okay, totally unrelated but there is a really beautiful but sad poem about a bear trap saddle I love.
http://www.cowboypoetry.com/jwbeeson.htm#Bear |
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BHW New Catch of the Day
Posts: 9884
Location: Missouri |
Okay that was cheery. Now you got me worried my horse will fall and I'll die. |
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Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Tbred - 2017-10-09 3:41 PM
Okay that was cheery. Now you got me worried my horse will fall and I'll die.
I'll be honest. I heard it when I was a teenager and I haven't ever been able to look at a saddle made that way because I can see that happening. Some barrel saddles that are deep seated with thin horns worry me too. I was discussing that with a friend the other day. My sister has one made that way, has ridden it all her life and done fine but I feel a bit claustrophobic in them.
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BHW New Catch of the Day
Posts: 9884
Location: Missouri | oija - 2017-10-09 3:44 PM Tbred - 2017-10-09 3:41 PM Okay that was cheery. Now you got me worried my horse will fall and I'll die. I'll be honest. I heard it when I was a teenager and I haven't ever been able to look at a saddle made that way because I can see that happening. Some barrel saddles that are deep seated with thin horns worry me too. I was discussing that with a friend the other day. My sister has one made that way, has ridden it all her life and done fine but I feel a bit claustrophobic in them.
Well heck yeah that poem would scare anybody, lol. I am looking for something that sits me deep because I'm not the best at sitting due to my mare who is push style and I've been running her a long time. So I'm used to trying to stay up or hit. My gelding is a free runner and I've about gone over his outside shoulder more than once.
I am getting better at it, but I also think if I felt more secure, I'd ride with more confidence. I don't want to be lazy and rely on the saddle, but I don't wanna fly off and die at my age either. |
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Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Tbred - 2017-10-09 3:52 PM
oija - 2017-10-09 3:44 PM Tbred - 2017-10-09 3:41 PM Okay that was cheery. Now you got me worried my horse will fall and I'll die. I'll be honest. I heard it when I was a teenager and I haven't ever been able to look at a saddle made that way because I can see that happening. Some barrel saddles that are deep seated with thin horns worry me too. I was discussing that with a friend the other day. My sister has one made that way, has ridden it all her life and done fine but I feel a bit claustrophobic in them.
I am getting better at it, but I also think if I felt more secure, I'd ride with more confidence. I don't want to be lazy and rely on the saddle, but I don't wanna fly off and die at my age either.
That's a huge reason why my sister likes hers. She likes it to catch her so she doesn't get too behind her horse. I certainly understand that. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | I think my first ever barrel saddle was a bear trap style. This was early 2000s. I was new to barrel racing but my horse at the time was very free running and that saddle gave me a lot of confidence. |
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BHW New Catch of the Day
Posts: 9884
Location: Missouri | cecollins0811 - 2017-10-09 8:44 PM I think my first ever barrel saddle was a bear trap style. This was early 2000s. I was new to barrel racing but my horse at the time was very free running and that saddle gave me a lot of confidence.
I'm not new, but I'm alot older than I once was and I'm riding a young horse that I raised that went to a nice trainer and came back more than I was ready for, lol. It's taken me all season to get comfortable with him and we've had some near freak accidents. I admit I slowed him down and now we are adding the speed back, but I sometimes still get left behind and feel the need for more security and confidence. I have to decide today to take it back or take her a check. Someone else is interested and wants to try it. Pressure...........I hate pressure! LOL |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 591
Location: here | If the saddle is comfy to you and fits your horse I would go with it. I had one custom made because I wanted to feel more secure.It is beautiful but Ordered a 15inch it came and measures 16 to 16 1/2 Im so disappointed as it is too big |
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BHW New Catch of the Day
Posts: 9884
Location: Missouri | Liz - 2017-10-10 9:33 AM
If the saddle is comfy to you and fits your horse I would go with it. I had one custom made because I wanted to feel more secure.It is beautiful but Ordered a 15inch it came and measures 16 to 16 1/2 Im so disappointed as it is too big
Hope you got to send it back and they made right |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 591
Location: here | No it was custom . I still have it may or may not sell it.I do trail ride in it and run in it once in a while but is big. I did just order a FX3 in 14 1/2 inch seat all rough out hope that helps |
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Location: midwest mama | I have barrel raced in bear traps my whole life and love them. I have had horses fall on me numerous times and they are just as easy to get out of as any other saddle so don't believe the old wives tales.
I have 3 right now. I have a really nice brand new one for sale - it is made for a wider shouldered horse and doesn't fit the narrow horse I now have. But that's the ONLY reason it's for sale. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 668
Location: Upstate New York | I have 3 bear trap saddles and love them. I've had horses fall and have never had an issue getting out of the saddle. I love them. I too am older, and they give me a little more security of staying in the center of my horse. I don't feel confined or trapped in mine either. But that could be because I've ridden in this style for so many years. My daughter just recently put her 6 yr old daughter in her old bear trap saddle 14" seat. She normally rides in a 13" but sits her horse better in the bear trap. I have 1 saddle that is not a bear trap and that took some getting use to. |
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BHW New Catch of the Day
Posts: 9884
Location: Missouri | I bought it! Thank you all for the input. Can't wait to actually RUN in it. |
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Bear Trap saddle question