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 The One
Posts: 7998
    
Location: South Georgia | My horse has outgrown my current saddle, and I am trying to decide on what saddles to look for to replace what I ride her with. What can you tell me about LM saddles? How do they fit horses? What types of horses have you had one on? Which trees are better suited for which body types, etc? Also, how do you like to ride in one? Quality?
I'm guessing my mare would need the Wide tree, but I'm not 100% sure.
I have searched the forum and read old threads, and I have googled my heart out, but I'm still looking for more opinions.
Edited by horsegirl 2017-12-05 7:26 AM
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| My advice is to either find someone in your area that has the special, wide or nueva and ask to try it out. If that won't work, then contact Lynn to ask her. They are very nice people and would help you figure it out. |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | GLP - 2017-11-16 9:51 AM My advice is to either find someone in your area that has the special, wide or nueva and ask to try it out. If that won't work, then contact Lynn to ask her. They are very nice people and would help you figure it out.
I do plan to send them pics and get their opinion, because I'd rather buy used to save money. Just looking for as much info as I can from people. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1520
Location: Illinois | I'm obsessed with mine, I won't ride in another saddle now. Mine feels like "home." Mine is a special wide and about 7 years old now. Still looks like it's only been ridden for a year and I rarely clean it. It has fit every horse I've ever put it on so far, if they don't need the wide tree I just put a slightly thicker pad under it. They hold up really well and have a great resale value. Mine was custom and I spent a lot because I planned on it being my last saddle for a verrrry long time and with the way prices have increased I could probably sell it used for nearly what I paid new now. Only because it's in such great condition and back then you could build a custom for under $3K easy, now it would be closer to $6K I think. Prices have gone way up since I ordered mine. Anyway you can contact Lynn directly, that's what I did. She helped me get options on mine that weren't available online or for that model at all at the time. I wanted the Pozzi flower tooling but you could only get it on a Pozzi, but Lynn got it for me for a small upcharge. And when I was thinking of ordering another simpler one for everyday I contacted her for pricing and she said if I wanted to order she'd freeze that quoted price for a year for me. I never ended up ordering one, but I appreciated that greatly as that was when they were switching to the new smaller skirts and she said prices would go up soon. So I would go direct with Lynn if you can and you can do their test ride program to fit your horse and go from there, she often has access to a lot of used models too. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| horsegirl - 2017-11-16 9:05 AM
GLP - 2017-11-16 9:51 AM My advice is to either find someone in your area that has the special, wide or nueva and ask to try it out. If that won't work, then contact Lynn to ask her. They are very nice people and would help you figure it out.
I do plan to send them pics and get their opinion, because I'd rather buy used to save money. Just looking for as much info as I can from people.
Totally understand. I will tell you this because I saw it myself. We were at a clinic and girl with a very nice horse was there. Lynn got to looking at her horse as they were talking at the end of the day. She called Murray over to look at the horse and the saddle (which was a Lynn special). She thought is was not fitting right. So she had Murray bring a wide tree (they had just the trees and the saddles at the clinic). This horse was thoroughbred built - long shoulder, high withers, not wide. The wide tree DID fit him better. Lynn felt that it was because he had such a long shoulder/stride it gave him more room in the shoulders. They only put the tree on him that evening. I don't know what she did the next day as I was really concentrating on me and my horse and my daughter and her mare. |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Thank you very much! Dumb question: is the "wide special" and the "wide fit" two different things, or one in the same? |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| horsegirl - 2017-11-16 9:18 AM
Thank you very much! Dumb question: is the "wide special" and the "wide fit" two different things, or one in the same?
There is the special, the wide and the nueva. I believe the special is not as wide and has more rock than the wide but I can't definitively say that. Its been awhile since I watched the videos. On youtube she has some little videos that tell you the difference in the 3 trees. They are really good, but I would still talk to her because I have no confidence in my self when it comes to figuring out correct saddle fit.
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Expert
Posts: 1520
Location: Illinois | My Wide Special fits my horse with hulk shoulders from being a stud for 7 years and fits my sway backed high withered thing. It fits long backs, shorter backs, middle backs lol. It's fit everything so far. I haven't tried it on something round with no withers though. I'd definitely watch her videos and see. Even the wide fit isn't one that's crazy wide, but its got the flared bars which help make it a better fit. |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Thanks. I watched the 3 (I think its actually 4 bc there is one on rider fit as well) videos, but I have seen some people refer to their saddles in ads as "wide special" and I wasn't sure if that was a different build. They must just be referring to the Wide version then. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| JLazyT_perf_horses - 2017-11-16 9:32 AM
My Wide Special fits my horse with hulk shoulders from being a stud for 7 years and fits my sway backed high withered thing. It fits long backs, shorter backs, middle backs lol. It's fit everything so far. I haven't tried it on something round with no withers though. I'd definitely watch her videos and see. Even the wide fit isn't one that's crazy wide, but its got the flared bars which help make it a better fit.
Now that you mentioned the flare, that is why the wide fit the girl's horse, because with his long shoulder and stride he needed the flare. It did not sit down on his withers either. |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | The wide really sounds like it's versatile. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Missouri | Love them! It is amazing to see and feel your horse relax when you put it one and it fits them! They hold you in but you have the room and the movement to move your legs to kick and bump where you need to.
Yes Ms Lynn and Mr Murray are awesome to work with on saddle fit- she does have several videos on how to fit and the different trees
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Veteran
Posts: 173
Location: Oklahoma | I have 3. I have 2 specials and a wide. I prefer my specials because they seem to fit everything. They set so well and really give you confidence to ride your horse. They are super balanced and well made. I bought all 3 from lynn. I sent pictures and we chatted back and forth on the type I like. I had to find a pad that worked well with the saddles. One horse prefers/does better with a thinner pad and the other has a 1 inch. Great saddles. You will not be dissappointed. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Mountains of VA | I bought a new Double J LM Special 10 years ago and it still looks great. I bought it for one particular horse that since been sold and it has not fit any other horse I have put it on, so it has mainly been stored in the house. Would love to SELL this saddle. I do think the wide tree would be the best fit for most horses. Quality is top notch, I just wish I could use mine. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Mountains of VA | Rasy - 2017-11-16 1:27 PM I have 3. I have 2 specials and a wide. I prefer my specials because they seem to fit everything. They set so well and really give you confidence to ride your horse. They are super balanced and well made. I bought all 3 from lynn. I sent pictures and we chatted back and forth on the type I like. I had to find a pad that worked well with the saddles. One horse prefers/does better with a thinner pad and the other has a 1 inch. Great saddles. You will not be dissappointed.
I can't get my special to fit anything but the horse I originally bought it for years ago. It always rolls, guess my horse are all wide/round? I really like the saddle and it is fancy looking and well made but it is just sitting and I wish I could either use it or sell it. |
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 Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska | Lynn helped me fit my horse years ago and I loved the saddle. Watch the videos on youtube and then contact her if you have questions. She's awesome. With that said, I have owned 2 and was disappointed with the quality of each. The first one seemed great, but the tree broke for no reason. It had never fallen in the trailer or anything and I know the person who had it before me really takes care of their things. I ended up selling it and bought another. That one had a sound tree but the leather was like cardboard. I was so disappointed and ended up selling it too because I hated it so much. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | hotpaints - 2017-11-16 6:02 PM
Rasy - 2017-11-16 1:27 PM I have 3. I have 2 specials and a wide. I prefer my specials because they seem to fit everything. They set so well and really give you confidence to ride your horse. They are super balanced and well made. I bought all 3 from lynn. I sent pictures and we chatted back and forth on the type I like. I had to find a pad that worked well with the saddles. One horse prefers/does better with a thinner pad and the other has a 1 inch. Great saddles. You will not be dissappointed.
I can't get my special to fit anything but the horse I originally bought it for years ago. It always rolls, guess my horse are all wide/round? I really like the saddle and it is fancy looking and well made but it is just sitting and I wish I could either use it or sell it.
I had a special wide fit. I have this mare whose got a flatter type back and is very wide. I have rolling issues and all I ride in are double js. So I got the idea it was what I needed. Nope. It was too narrow and had too much rock. It didn't fit at all and my mare even bucked in it. So back for sale it went. It was a very nice saddle and sat great. I just feel like their trees only fit specific types and not a wide variety. Definately not a true wide horse. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Mountains of VA | TheDutchMan01 - 2017-11-16 8:50 PM hotpaints - 2017-11-16 6:02 PM Rasy - 2017-11-16 1:27 PM I have 3. I have 2 specials and a wide. I prefer my specials because they seem to fit everything. They set so well and really give you confidence to ride your horse. They are super balanced and well made. I bought all 3 from lynn. I sent pictures and we chatted back and forth on the type I like. I had to find a pad that worked well with the saddles. One horse prefers/does better with a thinner pad and the other has a 1 inch. Great saddles. You will not be dissappointed. I can't get my special to fit anything but the horse I originally bought it for years ago. It always rolls, guess my horse are all wide/round? I really like the saddle and it is fancy looking and well made but it is just sitting and I wish I could either use it or sell it. I had a special wide fit. I have this mare whose got a flatter type back and is very wide. I have rolling issues and all I ride in are double js. So I got the idea it was what I needed. Nope. It was too narrow and had too much rock. It didn't fit at all and my mare even bucked in it. So back for sale it went. It was a very nice saddle and sat great. I just feel like their trees only fit specific types and not a wide variety. Definately not a true wide horse.
Yes, the horses I have tried to put my special tree on do have decent withers but do have a wider/flater back/topline and the saddle rolls. If the wide tree rolls too, then I would not want one of those either.
My saddle was built in 2006, it is fancy and top quality but it's a shame that it is sitting in storage in the house because I do not have a horse that it will fit.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 411
Location: Smack in the middle of WA! | I just bought one with the Nueva tree. I love it and it fits my mare great. Lynn and Murray were great to work with. I sent pics of my mare's back and watched the videos. They helped with deciding which tree to go with! |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | After going crazy for 3 weeks searching ads on here and on FB, I finally found a LM wide in my seat size! Can't wait to get it on Wednesday! Thanks for your help, everyone! |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | The wide tree Special arrived and it doesnt fit. I'm so disappointed. I watched every video possible, read the discussion boards, and did all the research I could possibly do. I thought I made the right decision in getting the wide. It leaves odd dry patches under the pad and it doesnt "sit down" on her back. It kinda sits above her back. I like the ride, but that's no good if it doesnt fit my horse. Not sure which tree to go for now. I sent Lynn pics and she said she thought it was too wide, but I am not so sure it would sit above her back (evenly too, not just popping up in the back) if it were too wide. Double J rep says I need a tree with more rock. Again, not sure who to believe. Ugh. She's even side to side. Marks are the same on both sides. (Ignore the white on right side...those are old and not from any of my saddles) I have tried a 1/2" pad and a 3/4" pad...sweat patterns are the same.
Trying to post pics...
Edited by horsegirl 2017-12-05 8:04 AM
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | I don't know whether to try a regular Special OR a Nueva. I'd really like to stick with an LM or Double J, at least, because I love how it rides! |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| I'd try the Nueva, it's fit almost everything I've tried it on. I have a special too and it's perfect for colts and thoroughbreddy types. |
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 The best bad guy on the internet
Posts: 3519
Location: Arizona | It looks like it fits down on him just fine. Does it roll when you ride it? I have you tried different pads with it? I hate buying saddles, it's so hard to find the perfect fit.... |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | LIVE2RUN - 2017-12-05 9:28 AM It looks like it fits down on him just fine. Does it roll when you ride it? I have you tried different pads with it? I hate buying saddles, it's so hard to find the perfect fit....
It does not roll, but its a little wobbly side to side with the 1/2" pad. I may try the 1/2" with a shim up front to see if that helps.
When I did the 3/4", it was roll-y. I had to use a mounting block to get on, but I did so in an attempt to see if the sweat pattern would be more even. It wasn't. |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Anyone think a pad could help this? Someone has suggested I go away from my go-to 5 Stars and try an Impact LDXT which is supposed to distribute pressure points better. IDK about that theory. |
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Expert
Posts: 1520
Location: Illinois | I have a similar fit with my wide, he has bulky shoulders but it leaves a space behind the shoulder blades. All I did was put a thin shim in my pad and it fits evenly now. My pad is a 1/2" CSI, so with the top part its close to 3/4". I'd suggest trying an easy shim before you replace the saddle, and you might have to try various shim sizes. I started out trying 3 sizes before I found the right size. |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Thanks. Tonight I will try the 1/2" with shim. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | This is about how it fit my mare...terrible. Except she filled it out more. I agree too wide in front and the middle of the tree is making contact while the front and back bars aren't. I know they are supposed to be flared to accommodate shoulder and hip movement but it just doesn't seem to work. I think you need less rock not more. Her trees do not fit a flatter horses (even tho it is what the wide special is supposed to fit). Not saying your horse has a flat back, but it isn't low enough to accommodate that tree. I could be totally off but bottom line it just doesn't fit. I really liked her saddle but it did not fit well at all. Go with a standard double j pro...it will fit and you'll love it trust me!
Ps I also think the rigging needs flared out slightly. It looks tight and may be causing the saddle to not sit down. |
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  Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | JLazyT_perf_horses - 2017-12-05 11:03 AM I have a similar fit with my wide, he has bulky shoulders but it leaves a space behind the shoulder blades. All I did was put a thin shim in my pad and it fits evenly now. My pad is a 1/2" CSI, so with the top part its close to 3/4". I'd suggest trying an easy shim before you replace the saddle, and you might have to try various shim sizes. I started out trying 3 sizes before I found the right size.
If I'm correct, the Nueva tree is made for horses who get that little dip behind their shoulders. Shimming or try a Nueva tree would help this.
At your next barrel race or horse show, would the announcer be willing to ask if anyone has a LM Nueva to meet you? Obviously I'm thinking small show, nothing big. But still worth asking if you could sit someone else's on your horse. |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | It sure looks like her right shoulder is atrophied. Had a horse like that and Meleta Brown helped me get a good fit. She also had me shim the front the saddle. I would try to get hold of her and see if she can help you. |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Thanks for your help, yall. I had a friend with a regular Special that was willing to bring it out last night for me to try. It "sat down" on her back better but was waaayyy too tight in the shoulder/behind wither area, even just feeling under there with my hands. I messaged Lynn McKenzie and she is sending me all of her trees to place on my mare's back and then send back! I am beyond impressed! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 516
| TheDutchMan01 - 2017-12-05 2:21 PM
This is about how it fit my mare...terrible. Except she filled it out more. I agree too wide in front and the middle of the tree is making contact while the front and back bars aren't. I know they are supposed to be flared to accommodate shoulder and hip movement but it just doesn't seem to work. I think you need less rock not more. Her trees do not fit a flatter horses (even tho it is what the wide special is supposed to fit). Not saying your horse has a flat back, but it isn't low enough to accommodate that tree. I could be totally off but bottom line it just doesn't fit. I really liked her saddle but it did not fit well at all. Go with a standard double j pro...it will fit and you'll love it trust me!
Ps I also think the rigging needs flared out slightly. It looks tight and may be causing the saddle to not sit down.
I totally agree with this - I had an LM and it fit my horse just about the same as this one. Kind of perched on top of his back and only made contact with the middle portion. I agree you need something with less rock. I really love my Jeff Smith, maybe see if someone has one in your area you could try. The Tami and Jackie lines both have a lot of rock, the reg JS less rock and the C3 even less rock. My guess is a reg JS would work well for this horse. |
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Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska | horsegirl - 2017-12-06 6:44 AM Thanks for your help, yall. I had a friend with a regular Special that was willing to bring it out last night for me to try. It "sat down" on her back better but was waaayyy too tight in the shoulder/behind wither area, even just feeling under there with my hands. I messaged Lynn McKenzie and she is sending me all of her trees to place on my mare's back and then send back! I am beyond impressed!
She's great to work with! |
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Veteran
Posts: 173
Location: Oklahoma | With all my LMs I ride a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch. The more pad causes some dry spots. |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Rasy - 2017-12-07 2:49 PM With all my LMs I ride a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch. The more pad causes some dry spots.
I tried both. Thanks. Same marks. |
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LM SADDLE UPDATE WITH PICS PG 2> Can you help me with fit ideas? I'm Lost.